Denali National Park

[IPT]

So, I made my annual pilgramage to Denali National Park for some spring mtn bike (road riding really) riding before the buses start running. 33 miles and three mtn passes later fighting some pretty crazy wind I have a few shots to share. When I go to the park I love to see the bears from the bus. When I am on my bike, not so much so.

Grizz.....

Snowshoe hare. His feet are so big he steps on his own toes...

Ptarmagan

Yes, the drop off is thousands of feet!

 

[IPT]

 

[DEEC77]

Very nice! Went to Alaska a few years back on a cruise and we opted out of the Denali tour. We had little kids at the time and it just would have been to long. Really wish we could have gone though. Simply beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

~Dee~

 

[IPT]

Thanks - yeah, with kids it'd be a very different experience. I've seen people do it, but I think it takes A LOT. With wildlife and nature there is a need for patience and appreciation of simple natural things that I think kids just don't have yet. Heck, some adults don't have it either!

 

[klepto]

great images Louis- looks like some excellent riding!
Thank you for sharing your trip with us.

 

[BlueCorn]

Great stuff Louis. I'm envious.

 

[Misled]

Very beautiful Louis. I love the bear.

 

[Recty]

Looks great.

I cant believe I've been in Alaska 29 years now and I still havent seen Denali... I've got to do it someday.

 

[DEEC77]

Actually my kids have inherited my appreciation for nature. I have 2 very artist kids. Unfortunately the youngest was 2 and the back pack would have worn on me lol. I actually taught my middle one how to rock climb. It's my DH that would have been wiped out.

~Dee~

 

[Wolverine]

Looks like a great time. I'm jealous.

 

[IPT]

Thanks everyone. The riding up there is amazing. Sort of like a fire road, not technical at all, but good climbs and generally smooth riding. The scenery of course can't be beat. You really are IN mother Nature here - especially pre-season before the buses run. Last fall I nearly got ran over by a Caribou that was being chased by a wolf! It's unreal sometimes.

Grant, dude, this IS the year man. MAke it happen. It's a magical place and pretty much in your backyard! I drove up Friday night, slept in my truck, biked in the AM, and was home by 7 Saturday.

Doug, thanks. Man you'd have a field day up here. Probably fill your entire laptop's hard drive with images!

Here's why they are called "Willow" Ptarmigan.

 

[klepto]

wow... that is a majestic shot!

 

[jthao]

very nice.... like always.

 

[DEEC77]

The bird shot is fantastic! I think I like that one best.

~Dee~

 

[IPT]

Yeah, that Ptarmigan was one of my favs for the trip. It was a PITA waiting to get him without that branch across his face! I also really liked this one...

 

[IPT]

Bear was taken with Canon's 300mm F4 IS w/ 2X tele (Canon) at the minimum F stop of f8.

Hare, all the Ptarmagen, and the baby sheep were all with the 300f4 IS at either f4 or f5.6. Me cycling and the sheep on the ledge were at 24mm with the Canon 24-105 IS at F11. ISO's were mostly 400ASA I think. Maybe one or two at ISO 200.

 

[Grunt]

Love the first Ptarmigan picture.

 

[IPT]

Thanks. What I really like about the Ptarmigan this year is thier coloration. For some reason the upper chest and neck colors are two toned. Black fading to a rusty orange brown. Looking at last years images they didn't have that.