Nature Sigma 150-500 in the Last Frontier (Alaska)

Sigma 150-500 in the Last Frontier (Alaska) · **5 Likes**

It was heavy, but I'm glad I brought the Sigma 150-500...

35mmfilmfan · 07-26-2021, 11:43 AM

I should just think you are !! Amazing images - well done.

**phx.david** · 07-26-2021, 11:45 AM

I love all of them, but the close up of the seal is especially well done.

**angkymac** · 07-26-2021, 02:02 PM

The seal and the water look like they just belong to each other!
The eagle catching a fish really is well-composed; and the detail of water droplets falling from the fish is amazing. That eagle certainly didn't take much time getting back up into the air.
Angky.

RobG · 07-26-2021, 07:47 PM

Lovely shots! I can recognise the Bald Eagle, but is the whale a Grey Whale, or a Humpback? As others have said, the shot of the seal is great!

**Mr. Ed** · 07-26-2021, 08:28 PM

Just a wonderful series. So well done.

**SelrahCharleS** · 07-26-2021, 08:41 PM

That seal shot is great! The others are good too, but that one stands out.

RoxnDox · 07-26-2021, 09:14 PM - **1 Like**

The last shot, which is absolutely wonderful, is a sea lion instead of a seal (for those who worry about such things). The external ear flaps give it away. <grin>

**klh** · 07-28-2021, 05:52 AM

Thanks all for the compliments, but really, I think anyone would be a great photographer in that environment. The photos don't even do it justice.

Originally posted by angkymac

The seal and the water look like they just belong to each other!
The eagle catching a fish really is well-composed; and the detail of water droplets falling from the fish is amazing. That eagle certainly didn't take much time getting back up into the air.
Angky.

I have done a lot of high school swimming photography, and loved to get shots on the backstroke just after the start as the swimmers come to the surface with a layer of water over their face. This reminds me of that.

Originally posted by RobG

Lovely shots! I can recognise the Bald Eagle, but is the whale a Grey Whale, or a Humpback? As others have said, the shot of the seal is great!

It is a Humpback. In fact, I was able to get a shot of its fluke and submit it to happywhale.com, so we know it was last seen in 2019 in Hawaii.

Happywhale

Originally posted by RoxnDox

The last shot, which is absolutely wonderful, is a sea lion instead of a seal (for those who worry about such things). The external ear flaps give it away. <grin>

Yes, well spotted. This is a Steller sea lion. We were in a zodiac near an island filled with them. Not a good place to be downwind!

normhead · 07-28-2021, 06:25 AM

Originally posted by klh

Yes, well spotted. This is a Steller sea lion. We were in a zodiac near an island filled with them. Not a good place to be downwind!

Ah, yes, the artist suffering for his craft.

RoxnDox · 07-28-2021, 11:31 AM

Originally posted by klh

Thanks all for the compliments, but really, I think anyone would be a great photographer in that environment. The photos don't even do it justice.
….
Yes, well spotted. This is a Steller sea lion. We were in a zodiac near an island filled with them. Not a good place to be downwind!

Just one of those tidbits you pick up living next door to the salt water 😉 I see plenty of harbor seals out in the kayak, but sea lions are a lot less common sight (at least for me). Being out in a zodiac is definitely one of the outings I plan for whenever we get to take another Alaska cruise. Maybe next year if stupidity doesn’t win out.

RobG · 07-28-2021, 04:13 PM

Originally posted by klh

It is a Humpback. In fact, I was able to get a shot of its fluke and submit it to happywhale.com, so we know it was last seen in 2019 in Hawaii.

Thanks! I'm surprised that the colour of Australian Humpbacks is so different from Alaskan Humpbacks.

**rm2** · 07-28-2021, 04:55 PM

Lens performed very well apparently. Glad you brought it.

klh
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07-28-2021, 05:52 AM	#9
klh Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2009 Location: West Lafayette, Indiana, USA Posts: 827 Original Poster	Thanks all for the compliments, but really, I think anyone would be a great photographer in that environment. The photos don't even do it justice. Originally posted by angkymac The seal and the water look like they just belong to each other! The eagle catching a fish really is well-composed; and the detail of water droplets falling from the fish is amazing. That eagle certainly didn't take much time getting back up into the air. Angky. I have done a lot of high school swimming photography, and loved to get shots on the backstroke just after the start as the swimmers come to the surface with a layer of water over their face. This reminds me of that. Originally posted by RobG Lovely shots! I can recognise the Bald Eagle, but is the whale a Grey Whale, or a Humpback? As others have said, the shot of the seal is great! It is a Humpback. In fact, I was able to get a shot of its fluke and submit it to happywhale.com, so we know it was last seen in 2019 in Hawaii. Happywhale Originally posted by RoxnDox The last shot, which is absolutely wonderful, is a sea lion instead of a seal (for those who worry about such things). The external ear flaps give it away. <grin> Yes, well spotted. This is a Steller sea lion. We were in a zodiac near an island filled with them. Not a good place to be downwind! Last edited by klh; 07-28-2021 at 07:01 AM.

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07-26-2021, 11:43 AM	#2
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,329	I should just think you are !! Amazing images - well done.

07-26-2021, 11:45 AM	#3
phx.david Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 1,611	I love all of them, but the close up of the seal is especially well done.

07-26-2021, 02:02 PM	#4
angkymac Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 8,962	The seal and the water look like they just belong to each other! The eagle catching a fish really is well-composed; and the detail of water droplets falling from the fish is amazing. That eagle certainly didn't take much time getting back up into the air. Angky.

07-26-2021, 07:47 PM	#5
RobG Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,891	Lovely shots! I can recognise the Bald Eagle, but is the whale a Grey Whale, or a Humpback? As others have said, the shot of the seal is great!

07-26-2021, 08:28 PM	#6
Mr. Ed Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 563	Just a wonderful series. So well done.

07-26-2021, 08:41 PM	#7
SelrahCharleS Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 935	That seal shot is great! The others are good too, but that one stands out.

07-26-2021, 09:14 PM - 1 Like	#8
RoxnDox Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gig Harbor, Washington, USA, Terra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,494	The last shot, which is absolutely wonderful, is a sea lion instead of a seal (for those who worry about such things). The external ear flaps give it away. <grin>

07-28-2021, 06:25 AM	#10
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by klh Yes, well spotted. This is a Steller sea lion. We were in a zodiac near an island filled with them. Not a good place to be downwind! Ah, yes, the artist suffering for his craft.

07-28-2021, 11:31 AM	#11
RoxnDox Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gig Harbor, Washington, USA, Terra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,494	Originally posted by klh Thanks all for the compliments, but really, I think anyone would be a great photographer in that environment. The photos don't even do it justice. …. Yes, well spotted. This is a Steller sea lion. We were in a zodiac near an island filled with them. Not a good place to be downwind! Just one of those tidbits you pick up living next door to the salt water 😉 I see plenty of harbor seals out in the kayak, but sea lions are a lot less common sight (at least for me). Being out in a zodiac is definitely one of the outings I plan for whenever we get to take another Alaska cruise. Maybe next year if stupidity doesn’t win out.

07-28-2021, 04:13 PM	#12
RobG Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,891	Originally posted by klh It is a Humpback. In fact, I was able to get a shot of its fluke and submit it to happywhale.com, so we know it was last seen in 2019 in Hawaii. Thanks! I'm surprised that the colour of Australian Humpbacks is so different from Alaskan Humpbacks.

07-28-2021, 04:55 PM	#13
rm2 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hudson Valley - NY Posts: 778	Lens performed very well apparently. Glad you brought it.