Sitka Spruce in Cantwell
This is an image from the start of my trip where a friend recommended staying at the Backwoods Lodge in Cantwell, AK as a good central spot to access Denali from, with better rates than staying just outside the park. We were told that the film “Into the Wild” was filmed just across the river from the lodge, and they hosted much of the cast. Denali was about a 30 minute drive in the mornings, but had some wonderful scenery 5 minutes away, which is where this shot was taken – across the road down the Denali Highway. These Sitka Spruce grow like weeds up there. You would think these Alaskans would do something about this rampant growth. Kidding…I couldn’t get enough of photographing these nicely shaped trees. This is a 5 exposure blend to capture the details due to the backlight and sunbeams as well as the foreground color.
Hey Mark,
love the lighting and the comp – great work.
You might check, but those are white spruce I believe.
Cheers
Carl
Well it is a pretty good thing I didn’t go around eating mushrooms up there. Someone had told me most of the spruces were Sitka’s – but it seems they are mostly white and blacks.
i totaly love the wilderness!
cool
very pretty.
Welcome back Mark. Sounds like an amazing trip. This image is beautiful and I a looking forward to seeing many more from the trip. Never having been on a trip involving wildlife photography I am just curious as to how close you actually come to the bears.
Howard, there were a few instances where they came particularly close (within 6 feet or so), but we never approached them to that distance – it was always their approach to us. Much of the time they were just going about their business catching fish while we observed – not moving around much, just photographing. There was a mutual respect, non-threatening relationship going on.
What a neat blog, glad you lead me back here!
As delicious as a rich layer cake. And how could anyone resist those trees? Those jagged spires play beautifully against the comparitively smooth color blocks and I especially like the way the two trees on the right seem to reach up and connect the clouds to the foreground. You made each of the five exposures count and captured beautiful light.
I hope you are recovering from your cold and feeling much better.
Thanks Anita, yes – feeling better. Layer cake… good analogy! 🙂
Splendid colors and graphic lines from the spruce and mountains. Looking forward to more from this trip…
Anita, Tom – thanks a bunch. I hope to get some more through editing soon!
Gorgeous! I look forward to more of your Alaska images. The colors in this one are stunning. Love those jagged horizontal patterns.
Fantastic shot, great composition. I love the color banding and vibrancy of the red and blue. Nice, really nice. I will definitely be back to see more. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Thank you Rowena.
Thomas, thanks – gigabytes seemed to flow fast in Alaska.
Well I meant 7898…but who is counting? 🙂
Beautiful colour and layers here! It sounds like an amazing trip. WOW, 7900 images…that’s quite a bit. I can completely relate to the overwhelming feeling you get when you are in areas like this. I had a bit of the same in New Zealand. Just not used to the vast open grand scenery.
Look forward to the next 6998 images 🙂
Thanks all.
Earl – yes – I am pretty sure the area was at or approaching peak fall colors.
Ron – the owners said Penn also stayed at the Backwoods and the area was crazy – filled to the brim with movie folk scattered all around town.
Cool image Mark! Great job with the blend.
I finally was able to see that movie recently – I had loved the book. I understand they even had a version of the bus that they filmed around there in Cantwell. I had also heard Sean Penn hung out with cast and crew and was a likable guy.
I knew I would enjoy the work you did there, but this proves it!
Mark, were those foreground colors seasonal/fall colors?
Wow…they just don’t make scenery like that around here! 🙂
The colors here are fabulous, Mark. And I love the layers carrying me back from foreground to background. Sounds and looks like a great trip.
very astmospheric 🙂
Great colours and lightning. I’m looking forward seeing more.
Welcome back! Sorry you caught a cold. Lovely photo, as usual! Looking forward to more!