September 2023
As fall sets in the season was a bit more dry and the leaves just started to turn. It’s my first fall on the island.
We had some incredible sunsets in September and I was lucky enough to photograph some of them.
Make sure you tap on the images to see them full screen
Kodiak Bears
The month started with some beautiful light shining on Women’s Bay.
I was out photographing bears near Sargent Creek and these were a few hundred feet in front of me. There was a small crowd just a couple dozen feet behind me, I figured with the bears in front I’d be fine.
I was wrong.
Under the bridge, another bear came charging at me from behind and got about 10 feet from me. I only saw it because Amelia called out to me. I stood my ground but slowly backed away from the river. Luckily that bear turned last second and went after fish instead of me. I had to check three times if I had peed myself. This was the culprit.
I quickly snapped this shot after it passed me as it glanced back.
Bear at White Sands
We were just out for a drive to White Sands Beach and happened to see a bear. There was a small crowd around it as well, but off in the distance I noticed this one crossing the street.
Crests at Surfer’s Beach
I got soaked from so many waves this day. It was really windy and a few rogue waves just happened to get me.
Different Perspectives of Ft. Abercrombie State Park
I recently learned a better way to bring back detail in shadows in scenes with extreme bright and dark parts. It’s a new flow for editing images but I’m learning how to do it more effectively.
My Cat
His name is Fritz and I love him. Sometimes we let him out to run in the grass. Sometimes he gets fat but I love to carry him around and cuddle him. I never had a cat before but he’s a good one.
Incredible Sunsets
It’s been a tough year for sunsets but these lenticular clouds caught light so beautifully. Mixed with the fall colored grasses at the bottom it was absolutely gorgeous.
That same sunset as these phenomenal purples filled the sky in those lenticular clouds. The way the grasses flow and this shade of purple reminds me of the ancestral plane from Wakanda from Marvel movies.
It feels like it had been so long since I’d seen a sunset this nice. I enjoy them a lot.
Abstract Photography
The greys in the water make it look like warped steel on a modern art piece.
Colors of White Sands Beach
The month of great clouds continues
Nonprofit Block Party
Some lovely scenes from a block party in Kodiak where nonprofits can have informational booths. It featured some activities for kids as well as performances from some local musicians and even the Alutiiq Dancers and the Filipino American Association. Read the full story here.
Fall Colors in Middle Bay
Fall was fast here but still lovely.
Surfing Seals and Crashing Waves
There were three seals surfing around Surfer’s Beach with intervals of clouds and bright light. It was so cool to see these seals chasing fish around the beach and riding waves.
New Firetruck at Bayside Firehouse
The Bayside Fire Department got a new truck and held a christening on September 11 in remembrance of the first responders who served and those who died. Read the full story here.
Back to Bears
A lovely mama bear perusing the Russian River.
Her two cubs followed her across the street. We got within 30 feet of the bears again and I was terrified another time but they were pretty content with leaving me alone.
Colors at Bells Flats
Taken the same day but vastly different images. Even just taken feet apart in different directions.
Back to Middle Bay
Different mountains, different scenes, but very similar compositions.
I seldom practice intentional camera movement, or ICM. In fact, this shot was an accident but this may be my favorite image of the month.
Autumn Environmental Portraits with Amelia
Once in a while it’s nice to go out with Amelia and take these kinds of portraits. It was a lot of fun to play with the dappled light and Amelia’s orange skirt went well with the autumn colors.
Autumn colors around Kodiak
I loved the color contrast here between the cool shadowed road and the warm tones in the highlights in the trees.
Whale Necropsy near Kodiak
Some images in this gallery feature whale blood and guts.
It was a ton of fun. It was disgusting. I learned a lot. I almost threw up. We cut a fart out of a whale. It was the first whale necropsy of the year and I was lucky to get to hop on a boat to watch. Read the full story here.
Fog and Trees
We had a month of beautiful sunsets but we had one day of fog that made for beautiful layers. Thanks for reading once again.
Also, I’m selling a calendar this year again. It features some of my best images for every month and I’m accepting orders now. They’re $20 each, and shipping is $5. If you buy two, I’ll throw in the shipping for free. I do not have a store on this website but reach out to me directly on any of my social media or email and I’ll be happy to work out the sale from there.
