the muskegs of Southeast Alaska

One of the first things you notice as a hiker in southeast Alaska is that there is more to a rain forest than just plants. Take Gravina Island by Ketchikan for example. Gravina Island is the island opposite Ketchikan. You can see it when you enter or leave Ketchikan. It’s the island where the airport is located. Actually, the airport is the only thing that is located on the island. That's really it....outside the airport, you're on your own

The forest there is nearly broken up everywhere by open, sunny, soggy, boot-sucking muskegs. The word muskeg isn’t an official word I believe, but it’s what most people call these landscapes of small ponds with floating lilies and deep blankets of mosses.



Muskegs are marginal because they are sopping wet, acidic and nutrient-poor. They’ve build up over thousands of years on top of thick layers of silt left behind when the mantle of ice retreated from southeast Alaska after the last great glaciation. Muskegs, however, are full of animal life. They are havens for beetles, dragonflies, water striders and yes … mosquitoes. Observing the muskegs of Ketchikan makes you realize why they call Alaska sacred.

Then you turn around and you’re in the middle of the rain forest again, surrounded by its mystique.

By Bert van Mackelenbergh
Hotel Manager for Holland America Line

more photos on
http://www.flickr.com/photos/worldimages

explosions of color

If ever offered the opportunity to spend a summer crisscrossing the quaint coastal towns of Southeast Alaska, take it. But be forewarned, your senses will be overwhelmed by the beauty of blooming flowers, disturbingly enormous foliage in the temperate rainforest, wild animals in the flesh, and the aroma of honeysuckle in the air. The phrase “Heaven on Earth” will have true meaning. The Alaska landscape comes alive in May when the snow high on the mountaintops begins to melt. The snow transforms into majestic waterfalls that make their way to the valleys below to nourish the ground where the flowers lay still in slumber patiently waiting to be awakened. Like Sleeping Beauty the earth craves that first kiss of the sun’s rays to welcome the endless days of summer.

In June and July, there is a true explosion of colors as the flowers are blooming;

vibrant as the flowers itself are the insects that are using the flowers to pollinate.

In particular the Daisy, Livingston, Fireweed, Padulosum and the ‘Blue Bedder’ are perfect targets because of their vibrant colors

For these kind of photos, you need a good macro lens. Forget bringing a tripod. Insects are moving so fast that a tripod is no longer considered a handy tool, but more a stand-in-the-way. Good cameras and lenses are provided with an amazing way to get clear images when shooting handheld. Image stabilizer (IS) for Canon or Vibration Reduction (VR) from Nikon are the way to go

IS and VR use motion sensors to detect motion before, and then during the exposure of the photograph.

They then use various devices to shift the optical image (or move the image sensor) to counteract this motion.

They ensure the image stays more stable during exposure.

By Bert van Mackelenbergh

Hotel Manager on Holland America Line

for more photos visit

http://www.flickr.com/photos/worldimages

Beginnings of a new season

It’s amazing how quick nature changes her colors: at the end of the season colors of leaves, trees and mosses are much different than in July and August. Even the sunlight is different, less intense and maybe that is the reason why the colors seem deeper and more vibrant.

We’re approaching the end of the season in Alaska and I’ve noticed the different colors over the past couple of months. Take a look at the deep color of the green leaves and the orange and red color of the rocks in the water.

 

 
 

 
Bert van Mackelenbergh is hotel manager on Holland America Line
 
More photos are available at
 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/worldimages

bear in mind

Bear in mind that we are in bear country and that we are their guests. We don't rule; They do.
This is their soil, and we are only here to visit.

Over the course of the years I've seen a lot of bears. Close by, very close. Most likely far too close for those who are familiar with these 1500LBS creatures. Yes, they look 'cute' but 'bear' in mind that they climb trees better than you and I do, and that they run faster than any human being. In other words, if you are involved in a bear attack, running away or climbing a tree is pretty useless, although it probably is the first thing that occurs to you is to run away...

I talk to them when I come across bears; whole conversations. I'm not surprised to see a bear, because I look for them, so when I see a bear, I'm not surprised and don't act as such.
A while ago I walked upstream a small river in Ketchikan. For 20 minutes in freezing cold water till I saw two big brown bears. I started my usual bear conversation, took my camera, shot 400 photos until they looked me in the eyes for a few seconds and than left. I thanked them and they just left. No agression but I assume respect from both sides. Again, this is their soil and we're their guests so thanking a bear is important to me.
I know it sounds a bit over-the-top but I'm convinced that this is one of the reasons that I haven't been attacked so far.

Do not go out on your own. Believe me, it's better to go on an excursion. The likelyhood of seeing bears in the wild is smaller than going on a guided excursion. These folks know what they're doing. Don't go out on your own if you don't know the area. you might get lost and the chance to see bears is small. I've only see bears because I've been here so often. The times I went on excursions, I've always seen bears.
in short: If you want to see bears, book an excursion

for more bear pictures, visit my flickr site

www.flickr.com/photos/worldimages

Best Regards

Bert van Mackelenbergh