Day 1 Sitka, Alaska

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=142541
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=177087

I just returned from a 5 day shoot with Muench Workshops, http://www.muenchworkshops.com/, in Sitka, Alaska,
I am now faced with the monumental task of how to select, organize, delete, post produce, and present some of 3,500+ photos.
My 1st thought was to work it down to just 10/15 that I believed were technically and artistically correct and present
on my Smugmug site. However, I have found this new toy “Dgrin”. I’m enjoying every minute of working through its nicks
and crannies, of which there are many. I decided to emulate my photographer buddy and friend Dan Thorp, http://www.dthorp.com/,
and present photos from each day as i tell the story of our adventure.

The workshop was suppose to start a 4PM on Fri. There was no way to fly the same day across country with 3
plane changes and airport stops and get there in time. So I went the day before. Much to my surprise, so
had everyone else except Dan. We all had dinner at ? restaurant where I had the most delicious halibut I have ever eaten. But I digress.

Andy Williams of Muench Workshops, http://www.moonriverphotography.com/, introduced us to #2 Dan Evans, our local guide
and soon to be friend, http://www.alaskadanevans.com/dev/, and offered to take us out on his boat the next morning.
A free day! Absolutely! :clap



I woke up early that next morning, and wandered the back streets and the large fishing docks before we left on our boat trip.
This is a fishing town 1st, make no mistake about it, a tourist town second.



From the boat docks, you can see the town of Sitka. How unusual,
that the most prominent building in town is where Alaskan soldiers go to retire.
We are told the 1st floor are apartments, the 2nd floor houses those who need
daily help, and the 3rd floor houses the infirmed.
Wonder what the basement houses?:dunno



Looking from the docks to the bridge that takes you to another island, where the airport is.



Time for the group to load into Dan’s boat for a “two hour” trip.
Just like Gilligan’s Island.



Sea Otters are abundant in the waters of Sitka, although they disappear under water if you get too close.
I was lucky to get this closeup, albeit, not the sharpest photo on the block.



Alaska has more eagles than any state in the US, and its population is most abundant around Sitka.
Again not sharp and crisp. I was using a Canon 70-200 2.8 L II with a 2x converter. Not smart!
I would change lenses tomorrow.:cry



We spotted this small uninhabited island, not that hard to do, as there were “100’s” around us.
We decide to storm the beaches.



Our version of "storming the beaches".
Dan Evans had to pull his raft from his boat and take us to shore individually.



Rainfall in Sitka is abundant...60% annually. We were very lucky.
Only 1/2 day of rain in our 5 day trip.
The rest included cloudy to partly cloudy days, a photographers’ dream.



Vistas were abundant from this small island.



If you’re pixel peeping, you know this is not sharp.
Wind is not always a photographers’ friend.



Photography will wear you out!






Our other leader from Muench Workshops is Marc Muench. Go figure! http://muenchphotography.smugmug.com/
Not sure what he is looking for!?











When we arrived back in Sitka harbor, we were greeted with this docked yacht. I decided to Google it.
It is registered in Chicago, and housed at Georgetown, Cayman Islands. So all the way to Sitka?
It must have been rented by a group from somewhere. Price is only $525,000 a week.
Nevertheless, we would rather stay on Dan’s ‘yacht”.
It was more fun.


LOOK FOR DAY 2 SOON!
As Dorothy said in Wizard of OZ: "Lions, Tigers, and Bears, Lions, Tigers, and Bears".
OK, no Bears or Tigers, instead Sea lions, Whales, and Puffins :barb