“Rainbow Glacier” Walker Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska – Image 2706

The northern boundary of Glacier Bay National Park is the Alsek River. It separates Canada from the USA. Most people visit the northern edge of the park by rafting this river. Along the Alsek River is a glacier the rafters refer to as the “Walker Glacier”. Almost every raft group gets out of their boats and takes a hike on this glacier hence “Walker Glacier”. I do not know what its real name is and have never found it. Anyways, we were camped at the base of the glacier after a day of hiking when this rainbow appeared. The day had been kind of a wet and drizzly, and I had packed my cameras away in the tent. When the rainbow appeared, I dove into the tent and was able to shoot a few frames before the day went back to wet and drizzly. This image teaches me to always have a camera close by. In my 35 years in Alaska, I have seen a rainbow over a glacier just one other time. The rainbow appeared out of nowhere over the Mendenhall Glacier during a downpour. I was playing soccer on a pitch with a beautiful view of the glacier. By the time I got subbed out and reached my car for the cameras the rainbow was gone. But, I still have a great picture of it in my head. This image is featured on the opening page in my photo book on the park: “Glacier Bay National Park: Alaska.” Enjoy the photo and thanks for visiting. Once again as a reminder, I will be leading a small boat photo cruise in Glacier Bay National Park next year with Dolphin Charters (www.dolphincharters.com), July 6-12, 2011. Come join me for a week-long cruise in the bay exploring Alaska. Have a great new year.Film:Kodachrome (a very old photo taken in 1981)…not sure what camera or setting, digitally scanned© Mark Kelley