http://www.wildlifeandnaturetravel.com/getpage.php?pg=trip&trip_id=45 With dogs on the sea ice Greenland Traditional Narwhal Expedition beautiful ice, dogs, inuits, polar bears, seals and narwhals Apr 27 - May 06 2010 The climate changes in the Arctic, the hunting of endangered species and the fast-evolving Inuit lifestyle are controversial topics of nearly every environmental conversation in the world, though very few have first-hand experience in this region. By participating in a one week traditional dog sled hunting expedition, we will not only become credible conversationalists, but through a life-changing unbelievable experience, we will learn an amazing array of insightful details of the North -from ice conditions to traditional hunting methods, to languages, to eye-to-eye encounters with endangered species, to survival skills, to igloo building methods, to the tastes of unusual foods, and not the least, the fascinating way current day technologies mingle with tradition and culture in daily Inuit life. This expedition is exceptional, because this entire expedition serves to promote one of Wildlife & Nature Travel's sustainable tourism goals. The Inuit people have led a very subsistence lifestyle for generations, which unfortunately is not only dramatically affecting their population through absorption of extremely high levels of mercury from their main food staple of marine life, but it is starting to negatively affect existing populations of endangered and threatened species, such as the Narwhal and Polar Bear. This trip allows its participants to understand the challenges native peoples face to survive in remote, isolated, and "unproductive" regions, while at the same time helping to establish a new means of survival and economy through tourism fees, without disrupting their traditional and evolving lifestyles. This trip was difficult in design, but in the end, we were able to convince our hosts that while we wanted as an authentic experience as possible, and the opportunity to get as close to the animals as space and safety would allow, that except for unavoidable and necessary circumstances, when it came down to firing the final "shot", the only clicking to be heard would come from our cameras and blanks being fired from their guns as they demonstrated how they would carry out the kill. This expedition is a pioneer step for transitioning specific natural resources from predation to protection, while generating understanding in a global world, but still preserving traditional values. A true expedition, a fantastic dream for every true adventurer!
Wildlife and Nature - Greenland Traditional Narwhal Expedition
One of my recent finds on the web is WANT or Wildlife & Nature Travel. I just completed adding their events to the workshop calendar and placed a slew of posts about their tours in the queue for the blog. Their tours struck me as great for photographers and though they are not workshops they belong on the blog and the calendar.
Each tour has a maximum of 12 passengers, and is offered to the members of their Travel Club. Each trip focuses on exclusive wildlife watching and natural encounter experiences in often remote and secluded destinations. The experience will include unique scenery and cultural elements significant and unique to that region of the world. The third element of each tour focuses on outstanding photographic opportunities within each location, and finally this is all delivered in very comfortable, but not unnecessarily luxurious conditions.
Their trips are designed to make the most of the time we have in each location, and so are very active. A typical day will begin in the early hours of the morning and not finish until after sunset. However, breaks and meals occur throughout the day. Their prices are inclusive of all land costs (meals, accommodation, guiding, fees and land transportation), but typically will exclude international and regional flights, visa fees and insurance.
Akos Hivekovics, renowned photographer, biologist and travel writer, founded Wildlife & Nature Travel in 1998 and to date, it is managed by Akos and his wife, Jessica. With combined experiences in over 130 countries and in every area of tourism, Akos and Jessica have the perfect background to run a successful and unique travel company. Having spent 15 years in the field as population biologists, lodge managers, on-board lecturers, expedition leaders, conservation officers, travel writers and award-winning nature photographers, they are very eager to share their knowledge and show the world to everyone. Their amazing efforts result in a company that is known for its professional, attentive services, unique itineraries, outstanding tour leading experiences and an exceptional rate of return passengers. Both Akos and Jessica believe in, and work for, a sustainable future.
Morning all, or evening depending where int he world you are. As some of you are aware I am a fan of Doctor Who, have been for years. I can first remember seeing it with Tom Baker as the Doctor and that huge scarf he wore. I was pleasantly surprised in 2005 when it came blazing back on the screen as if it never missed a beat.
The tenth Doctor, played by David Tennant will no doubt be one of my favorites as was Peter Davidson. I must admit I lost track of the Doctor during his sixth and seventh regenerations. I saw him regenerate to his ninth incarnation but was never a fan of the radio dramas. My loss I guess. Like most all Doctor Who fans I know that 2010 will bring a new Doctor and I look forward to seeing him in action.
As most fans will tell you the regeneration of the Doctor often brings other changes to the series, most notably a new logo and from time to time the TARDIS itself will receive a face lift. Though I admist I do like the new one but it would be cool to see an new console room soon, or as Baker did see the Doctor use the Auxiliary Console again. Heck for that matter a glimpse at some of the other parts of the TARDIS would be cool.
I do know though that in 2010 the logo will get a face lift and as such I have been able to track down a clip on YouTUBE of it. I love the stylized TARDIS shape with the letters DW. Take a look:
This image of Alexis was made in our back yard. She seemed to think the whole point of the snowball maker was to make perfect snowballs for her to eat.
And yes those are snow flakes in the image, no photoshop effect, they were just that big. We had nearly a foot of snow on the ground. It was nice to go back in and warm up after I made the images of the kids playing that morning. We are fortunate, that my Father thinks ahead. Both our home and theirs (next door) have auxiliary gas heaters, as well as gas cooing stoves and hot water heaters. It was quite a nice surprise for the kids. Our previous place was all electric and when the power was out the house was dead.Good photographs are seen in the mind's eye before the shutter is tripped, but they are made in the darkroom. For it is the final stage of photography -in the production of negative and print- that the creative vision is realized in a picture meant to be looked at, admired, perhaps honoured. -Anonymous , "The Print: The LIFE Library of Photography" by Editors
from PhotoQuotes.com
Wildlife Photography Skills with Wendy Shattil and Bob Rozinski
September 21-23, 2010 - Telluride, Colorado
Wildlife Photography Skills with Wendy Shattil and Bob Rozinski
Price: $600
This workshop is designed for intermediate and advanced participants to hone their skills at photographing wildlife to move to the next level. Photographers will spend field time immersed in Colorado's beautiful fall color learning the techniques and secrets of creating great wildlife images. We'll demonstrate equipment, blinds, lighting, and other tools for solving problems encountered in wildlife photography. Class size is limited to allow for plenty of individual attention.
Wendy and Bob's workshop is followed by a multitude of other events at The Telluride Photo Festival 2010. A brief description appears below. There are separate registrations for the workshop and other festival activities, and a discount on festival passes to all workshop attendees. Find more details and a registration form (after Jan. 1, 2010) at http://www.telluridephotofestival.com/.
The Telluride Photo Festival 2010 - Art and photography have long been synonymous with Telluride and Mountain Village. The towns also have a long-standing reputation as the festival capital of Colorado with a rich and varied summer event calendar. The Telluride Photo Festival, in association with the Ah Haa School for the Arts, seeks to combine these two elements into a week-long event that celebrates photography, art, nature, learning, and commerce in the beauty that is Telluride.
The goal of the festival is to bring together well-respected people in photography with people looking to perfect their craft to learn, create, and inspire. The festival also seeks to foster the next generation of photographers by offering programs geared toward young people, as well as amateur and intermediate photographers. Additionally, the public is invited to view and enjoy the many outdoor photography exhibits in and around Telluride and Mountain Village. The festival has something for every level of aptitude and appreciation. The festival will be held the week of September 20-26, 2010 when the aspens are at the height of their autumn splendor.
We are extremely excited to be able to offer such a high caliber of world-renowned outdoor photographers for our first festival. We are offering four, three, and two-day workshops. Additionally, if you don't have the budget nor skill level for a full workshop, we are offering half-day beginner and intermediate classes as well as full day advanced classes.
Within the workshops, you will spend your time garnering knowledge and techniques that have taken years to perfect. The instructors will interact with you explaining their processes as well as reviewing and exploring your work.
Lunch will be included though transportation is not. In addition, a 20% discount on full, standard and portfolio passes will be extended to all workshop attendees.
The final day of the four and three day workshops will be an optional morning wrap up session. The two-day workshops will not feature a morning wrap up.




