A note about penguins

Today is World Penguin Day, a day to celebrate all things penguins.

While I have recently posted about my experience with penguins in the Antarctic, my love for these curious animals goes way back.

I can remember visiting Sea World in San Diego (way before any documentaries came out) and always loving the huge penguin habitat. It was my favorite thing to see as a child, and I clearly remember my fascination starting with these curious little creatures.

Fast forward a couple of decades, and the fascination has never waned. When I booked the trip to the Antarctic in 2013, I couldn’t believe that I would actually get to meet penguins in the wild. The first moment I saw Magellanic penguins on the beach in the Falklands Islands, curiously watching droves of humans land on their island, it was even more magical than I had dreamed. I cannot explain the feeling that washed over me as I continued to observe Magellanic penguins in the Falklands, King penguins on South Georgia Island, and the Gentoo and Chinstraps on Antarctica.

A Gentoo penguin makes its way across the snow in Antarctica.

Chinstrap penguins use an ice floe to relax and soak up the Antarctic sunset.

A King penguin couple on the beach in South Georgia.

Thank you for allowing me to share my experience with the penguins with you. I find myself missing the penguins.

Seascapes to Seashores

For the month of March, the City of Santa Clarita has an exhibit on the First Floor Gallery of City Hall called “Seascapes to Seashores“. This exhibit is presented as an extension of the Santa Clarita Public Library reading program of the book In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Phillbrick.

If you are in the area, check out the many talented artists that have art in the exhibit. I am so excited to see my image Antarctic Sunset printed on metal for the first time. Below is a photo of me standing next to the 12 x 18 metal image. If you are interested in having this image of an Antarctic sunset in your home, you can order it here. Thanks to fellow exhibitor and Antarctic traveler Joel Bareng for taking this photo.

The exhibit ends March 31, 2015.

Watching the Whales

Living near the coast of Southern California has several perks, one of which is the ability to see whales swim along in the ocean. I have always had an appreciation for these amazing creatures, and being able to see Humpback whales while on vacations in Hawaii always fascinated me. It isn’t until the past few years that I have taken the opportunity to see whales off of my very own coast through whale watching trips. The tours aren’t always successful, it depends upon the time of the season as they move up or down the coast.

Last week was definitely a successful whale watching trip. Leaving from Ventura, CA, my small boat of ocean tourist were treated to seeing approximately nine whales as they made their voyage in the Pacific Ocean. Along the way, we saw dolphins, sea gulls and egrets.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Since the moment in October of 2013 when I booked my trip to Antarctica, the above Dr. Seuss quote popped into my head. Now when I reflect back on that trip (which is often), the same quote pops into my head. So it is only fitting that for Dr. Seuss’ birthday, I use his words for one of my Antarctic sunset images.

World Whale Day

February 14 celebrates World Whale Day in Maui to raise awareness of these magnificent creatures. It has been a while since I have seen the majestic Humpback whales in Maui, but I was able to spot Humpbacks in the Southern Hemisphere last summer.

Humpback whales in Dallmann Bay, Antarctica

Being among these whales was magnificent- there were so many spouting and diving around our ship, it was hard to keep up with clicking the shutter.

This was the last day my group was in the Antarctic. I like to think that this was our grand send off – at least until next time!

Love is in the store!

Ahhh February. Starting right after Christmas, images of red and pink hearts, cupids and chocolates inundate our senses (no matter how hard we try to avoid them).

For whatever it’s worth, February is known for a day that celebrates love. I decided to celebrate Valentine’s a little early by adding some images I have captured through my lens of love in the animal kingdom to my online store – namely penguins, seals and deer. These images are now available as prints, framed prints and on metal.

King Penguin Couple was taken in South Georgia Island. watching the King Penguins couple up was a treat – especially seeing how the males would whack each other with their flippers in their pursuit of a charming female penguin.

A Mother’s Kiss is a moment caught in Big Sur, California. While walking along a trail, I spotted this mother and her fawn. While quietly watching them for a few moments, they shared this sweet moment.

Sealed with a Kiss is another image of motherly love. I could watch wildlife, and seals especially, for hours. Visiting a beach in La Jolla, California known for its Harbor seals, I was able to see this mother seal teach her days old pup to swim.

 

Port Lockroy

Penguin Post Office, a Nature production about the Gentoo penguins of Port Lockroy, Antarctica, airs on PBS in the USA this evening. I am especially excited to see this documentary (having waited over a year for it) because I was in Port Lockroy, while the crew was filming last Antarctic summer. Check your local listings – it should be fun to see the daily lives of these penguins.

How I wish I could be back on Port Lockroy, and really savor each moment. Because of timing issues with being on a guided tour on Quark Expeditions, I felt pretty rushed to get through the gift shop (yes, I needed to buy souvenirs on the continent), take in the museum, write and mail post cards from…the post office…and savor all of the Gentoo penguins that reside there, all while trying to capture the experience with my lens — the opportunity to just take my time had to give.

In the spirit of Penguin Post Office airing tonight, here are some photos taken last year from Port Lockroy —  on January 1, 2014, to be exact.

A Gentoo penguin gets its close up with the film crew of Penguin Post Office

Passengers from Quark Expeditions Sea Spirit arrive at Port Lockroy

One of the few buildings at Port Lockroy.

Thanks to Lisa Kim and Joel Bareng for this photo of me.

I left my my mark on new Year’s Day in the Port Lockroy guest book.

Of course I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to even be here. Make sure to check your local listing and set your DVR, and please let me know what you think of the show in the comments.

Gull on Beach

During the last week of 2014, I took a trip down to Hermosa Beach to go shooting with the talented photographer Ana Ramirez. She and I took a walk along the pier, and I spied this gull making footprints in the sand and loved its shadow. The perspective from above the beach made for a great angle to catch the shadow of the bird.

Elephant Seal Snuggle

Last year, I was able to travel to the Antarctic region – an amazing and unforgettable experience. One moment stood out to me, and luckily I was able to catch all three minutes of it on my GoPro camera.

While in Gold Harbour on South Georgia Island, a juvenile elephant seal lumbered up to me (and others) looking for affection. This was a wonderful moment that I am lucky to have experienced and am honored to share with you. Please enjoy!

This particular day was the day after Christmas, and was an amazing gift.

Welcoming 2015

It is late on January 1, 2015 and I cannot help but think I was last year at this time, and how my 2014 started.

You see, my 2014 started with a Polar Plunge in Antarctic waters.

Polar Plunge in Antarctica January 1, 2014 Photo: Pam Le Noury, Quark Expeditions

While this New Year’s Day was much different, namely in that I was pretty cozy all day and the closest I got to cold water was drinking it out of a glass, I am so happy that I have this memory to cherish.

While I know that the way to move forward is not to look back, I cannot help but look back on how 2014 started. My trip to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia Island and Antarctica has occupied my mind since I got back last January and has changed my perspective of the world we live in. This is a place that I have fallen in love with and want to share as much as possible in order to raise awareness of the importance of the polar regions.

I am still in the goal planning phase for 2015. I had some great experiences in 2014, and am planning some great things for my photography in 2015.