Northwest Passage
- On September 10, 2016
- By Randall Tate
- In Arctic, Commercial, Traveling, Wilderness, Wildlife
0
The Northwest Passage is a sea route connecting the northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through Arctic Canada. Using it instead of the Panama Canal shortens the traverse from Asia to Europe by approximately 1200 miles (1900 km). With the continued effects of climate change, the once ice clogged and almost impossible route is now open for business during a very short window in late northern summer. A journey through the passage has now gone commercial as expedition cruising companies look for ways to expand their offerings.
The trips usually take about two weeks and stop at various Inuit communities and historical sites along the way. Cut off from the outside world for most of the year, the communities seem to relish the opportunity to meet visitors and share their culture. Uluhaktok is one of those communities. Meaning ulu-shaped-bay in the native language, the town is named after the traditional curved knives that the Inuit have used for thousands of years.
Spending time there left an impression. After five days, we knew most of locals by name and had been invited into many of their homes. It was one of the most welcoming communities I have ever visited. A peek into the world of Arctic Canada left a deep impression on us. Although it appears like they live a lonely, harsh existence, the people love their homeland and have carved out a balanced, happy life that we all could take a few lessons from.

Planes carry both passengers and cargo into the dirt runway in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, Canada.

Boys playing on a cold August day in Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories, Canada

Local transportation, Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories, Canada

An ulu found on the beach in Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories, Canada

Adam, maker of the finest ulus in Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories, Canada

The Maud, Roald Amundsen’s ship during his second expedition to the Arctic, being lifted from the bottom in preparation for its return to Norway.

A local resident in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, Canada.

Lifting off from the RRS Ernest Shackleton, British Antarctic Survey vessel.

Bannock, Inuit Fry Bread

Musk ox skull

One of the residents of Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories, Canada. The collar of her jacket is made of wolverine

Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, Canada.

Drummers in Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories, Canada

The Ernest Shackleton fully loaded with 13 Zodiacs, two helicopters, a fast boat and a supply tender.

Narwhal, the possible inspiration for the unicorn

RRS Ernest Shackleton, British Antarctic Survey vessel

Crystal Serenity in Bellot Strait
Galápagos
- On April 20, 2016
- By Randall Tate
- In Traveling, Wildlife
0

Frigate Bird

Land Iguana

Giant Tortoise

Galapagos Fur Seal

Brown Pelican

Sally Lightfoot Crab

Blue-footed Booby

Pencil-spined Urchin

Blue-footed Booby

Galapagos hawk

Nazca Booby

Land Iguana

Nazca Booby

Galapagos Fur Seal

Marine Iguana

Nazca Booby

Greater Flamingo

Pirate Post Office – The tradition goes that you can drop a postcard in this barrel and someone else will hand carry it to the destination. No postage needed.
Blubber Slugs and Beach Masters
- On March 26, 2014
- By Randall Tate
- In Antarctica, Stock, Wilderness, Wildlife
4
“Below the 40th latitude there is no law; below the 50th no god; below the 60th no common sense and below the 70th no intelligence whatsoever.” — Kim Stanley Robinson —

Guests of the MS Expedition surrounded by King Penguins and Antarctic Fur Seals – Salisbury Plain, South Georgia

Bust of Captain Luis Pardo near the site on Elephant Island where Shackleton’s men spent 5 months awaiting rescue. Pardo was the Captain of the Yelcho, a Chilean steam tug, that rescued the men.
Tides and Currents
- On September 15, 2013
- By Randall Tate
- In Mountains, Wilderness, Wildlife
0
The tides and currents in Southeast Alaska are a force to be reckoned with. Any mariner that plies the waters there must learn to watch the ever-changing conditions closely in order to navigate safely. Those same forces also create an environment that nourishes life in this breadbasket of the marine world. Here are some highlights from a summer spent in that magical place where the mountains rise from the sea.

South Marble Island, Glacier Bay National Park

Orcas

Bubble Netting Humpback Whales

South Sawyer Glacier

Orcas

Mountain Goat

Orcas

Pacific White Sided Dolphin getting some air time
The Southern Bear
- On February 01, 2013
- By Randall Tate
- In Antarctica, Stock, Wildlife
0
Antarctica has resisted man’s influence since he first set foot there almost two hundred years ago. Humans do not pretend that they can control Mother Nature here. Like the highest mountain peaks in the world, Mother Nature grants you access and you must be respectful of her power. Every expedition to Antarctica is still just that, an expedition. Sure cruise ships serve Norwegian halibut and the finest wines in their dining rooms while cruising her waters, but this is still a place to be reckoned with. At any moment, Antarctica can tell you that you do not belong and slam the door in your face. That incredible power has the flip-side of offering spectacular insight. This is a magical place and it’s splendors are like gifts that must be cherished while they last.
Antarctica
- On March 01, 2012
- By Randall Tate
- In Antarctica, Commercial, Editorial, Traveling, Wildlife
0
Antarctica got its name from being on the opposite end of the world from the constellation Arktos (Bear, Ursa Major, North Star). It was first seen by Europeans in the 1820s and the land has remained one of the least touched places on earth. The voyage there feels like sailing to another planet. The scope and scale of Antarctica overwhelms the senses. After spending a month on the Antarctic Peninsula, I felt like I had only scratched the surface. The interior pulled at me like a magnet. Compared to the interior, the peninsula is mostly free of the massive ice shelves and continental glaciers that conceal the rest of Antarctica. The exposed coastline allows it to be full of life. The first explorers must have thought they were dreaming when they first set foot in a rookery containing over 400,000 penguins.
Read More»If You´re Not Bubble Netting, You´re Not Doing It Right
- On December 27, 2011
- By Randall Tate
- In Stock, Wildlife
0
¨They´re bubble whating?¨ is the usual response when we tell someone what the whales in front of them are doing. ¨They are bubble netting.¨ It´s a complex feeding behavior that is seen in Alaska amongst humpback whales that come there in the summer to gorge on the bounty of sea soup in the water. Humpbacks feed mostly on tiny creatures such as plankton and krill, but sometimes they get an appetite for something larger, in particular, herring. That´s where the bubble netting comes in. These normally solitary Humpback whales join up and use teamwork to confuse and cordon off these small fish. Each member of the group has a set task and repeats that task over and over again during the feeding sessions. One whale will dive deep and then swim in circles back toward the surface while blowing bubbles. The others then begin swimming up through the rising bubble curtain. During this, some of the whales may flash their pectoral fins or let out a high pitched sort of scream to further disorientate the herring. Just before reaching the surface the whales open their mouths wide and engorge the herring. Needless to say, it´s a sight to see and something that is best witnessed. These photos show what it looks like at the surface as dozens of gulls fight for the scraps next to the humpbacks.
Read More»Da Bears
- On December 06, 2011
- By Randall Tate
- In Alaska, Commercial, Traveling, Wilderness, Wildlife
1
Bears are on the wishlist of wildlife to see for any visitor to Alaska and there’s no better place to see them than at Anan Creek. In fact, it may be one of the best bear viewing sites on the planet. There are not many places where can you see so many bears and be so close than at Anan. The only way to get there is by boat or float plane. Once there, you go ashore with a well armed guide and walk a quarter mile boardwalk to a multi-story viewing platform perched above the creek. During my visit, I didn’t want to leave. The bears are literally within arms reach and the photography opportunities are amazing. If you’ve seen a photo of a brown bear catching a salmon in mid air, it most likely was taken at Anan. A visit here is truly a life changing experience and I recommend it to anyone who visits SE Alaska. Here are a few photos from my visit this summer.
Read More»
Recent Comments