Colors in the Southwestern U.S.

After many business trips in the U.S., mostly without a camera, I have traveled in April for two weeks in the southwestern United States for landscape photography. And I've seen all sorts of weather from -15 to +30° C  (5 to 86° F) - from a snow storm in Bryce Canyon to a sand storm in Monument Valley. Where the sand storm was much much less fun.... On the ride to the Hunts Mesa we got stuck in the sand and our guides (Navajo Indians) needed about two hours to dig out  the vehicle. With the result that the exercise was blown off and the Hunts Mesa trip canceled.

Beginning of the trip was however the Petrified Forest. A fascinating park with petrified trees and rugged landscapes that inspire.

 

The vastness of the Grand Canyon will continue to fascinate. Especially the early morning and dusk have a magnetic effect on me. This means often, that the alarm goes off at four o'clock ...

My favorite is the Canyon Bryce Canyon. And even more, if he shows after a snow storm in white-orange colors.

 

Somewhat unknown, the Wahweep Hoodoos near Page. To get to these fragile structures, one has to do a 3 miles walk through the desert. The effort is worth it. The erosion figures present themselves in the best morning light.

Special colors are found in the slot canyons - eroded sandstone formations. Some of which are very narrow and only reachable via ladders and some acrobatics. Unfortunately, the Navajo marketing people of the "Upper Antelope Canyon" are very active and so it is more like a "Madhouse " than a source of inspiration. Fortunately, there are hidden jewels that are still largely unknown.

Another highlight is the Monument Valley, even if the visit of Hunts Mesa was obstructed by the sandstorm.

The conclusion of the trip is a stay at the Valley of Fire. A paint box in nature. Especially in the early morning hours, at sunset or in the "Blue Hour", which means about half an hour after sunset, the magical colors of the bizarre forms come really to the fore.

More pictures can be viewed in the gallery on my website.

A photo book of this trip is in progress and will hopefully be announced in the next newsletter.

Travel to Shetland
My next trip in July will lead me to Shetland. There I will take pictures of landscapes, especially sea birds (puffins, gannets, etc) and otters. Above all, otters are very shy and therefore difficult to photograph. More of it soon.

Snow storm instead of Northern Lights

Five years ago I was photographing in Sweden with the aim of the Northern Lights. Although the weather was beautiful at that time, there was no activity. Fascinated by the northern lights, I made a new attempt and have been traveling for four days toTromsø in Norway. This time the activity of the sun was good but, unfortunately, there was extremely bad weather. Almost the whole time it snowed, sometimes with violent storms and the cloud cover has only partially opened for a few minutes. So again, nothing! Nevertheless, I could photograph some atmospheric landscapes. A click on the pictures brings you to the gallery.

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For three minutes, the curtain opened and shared the view of the spectacle. And this was all for four days! I will definitely make another attempt to observe and photograph this spectacle for a longer time!
 

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Photo Tour in the U.S.
In April I will fly for two weeks to the southwestern United States to photograph landscapes with Jess Lee. Main places will be Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley and Hunt's Mesa. I am confident that the weather will be better there.

Pictures of the Polarbears

As announced in the last newsletter, here are more pictures from my fascinating journey to the polar bears. Although the journey to the Seal River Lodge in Manitoba, Canada is a little long, it is worthwhile! Mike and Jeanne Reimer, the hosts, offer a cosy atmosphere in the Lodge far away from any civilization. The Lodge ( http://www.churchillwild.com ) provides rooms with ensuite bathrooms and warm and comfortable beds. The hearty gourmet meals are prepared with love and are served with fine wines. The evenings around the crackling fire invite to slide shows or video lectures or simply good conversations. However, most important are the impressive meetings with the polar bears. We left the compound every day to look for the polar bears in the free nature. To meet this wonderful creatures on an eye to eye level in their natural habitat is an experience of the very special nature!
But pictures say more than a thousand words. I have made a photobook of my journey. Who feels like sharing my experiences can click on the envelope below and thumb through it (with a mouse click in the corner) virtually.

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Ladakh

I have travelled to Ladakh last July. In the middle of the Himalaya Ladakh is a part of India and lies between China and Pakistan. With driver, guide and a cook I have moved with a four by four vehicle and by foot between 3000 and 5400 meters above sea-level (9000 to 16200 feet). A lovely, meagre landscape with oases irrigated artificially in the Indus Valley and a w i de l an dscape on the plateau. Besides the visit of the Tibetan cloisters in this Indus Valley it was at highlight to stay with nomades for some days.
I have made two photobooks o f this journey . They are online now and can be looked at on my home page.

 

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Canada
My journey to Canada, to take photographs of polar bears, was a great success. We could approach the bears by walking as close as approximately 25 metres (75 feet), occasionally they walked by as close as 8 metres (24 feet) ! At temperatures around freezing point (however icy arctic wind) I was able to take lovely, idyllic photgraphs. A quite terrific, impressive experience.


More in the next newsletter.

Calendar 2011

Also for next year I designed a calendar. The various trips to Scandinavia have shown a lot of wildlife pictures. With these images I created the calendar "Wildlife Scandinavia ". The calendar can be viewed at the link below.

The calendar (50x35cm format) can be purchased at a price of 35 Francs (plus shipping). Who wants to buy a calendar for his own or as a gift, can send me an e-mail (hg@mpl.ch) until 15th October .

The year 2010
The year 2010 was and is dedicated to nature- and travel photography. In March, I shot in Finland at -20 ° C owls in the snow. In April I was in Norway and photographed with great patience, black grouse and capercaillie. In July I was in the Himalayas and have traveled to Ladakh - very interesting pictures of monasteries and nomads to up to 4650 m above sea level.
In November, I fly to Canada in search of polar bears. Of a lodge, reachable only by small aircraft, I hope to meet polar bearsby walking - eye to eye but of course at telephoto distances.
The travel books of Ladakh are still under construction but will be ready soon.

Exhibition

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Umschrift

After many photo trips, long but enjoyable hours in the hide and countless hours of editing, I now have the pleasure to prepare a photographic exhibition iIn the town where I grew up - in Romanshorn  It was difficult to make a selection. I chose pictures of Myanmar, Uganda, the Altiplano, Scotland, and of course wildlifepictures. All are cordially invited to the vernissage.
                    

The opening will take place on Sunday 9 May 2010 at 15:30.

The images of the exhibition can be viewed at www.rudolf-hug.ch/ausstellung/index.html.

In March I was in Finland and took pictures of hunting owls in flight. Not so easy with a meter of snow and minus 13 degrees - but incredibly exciting. If permitted by the volcano Eyjafjallajökull, I will fly to Norway on Sunday to photograph capercaillie and black grouse in courtship.

Scotland

In addition to my "Wild Life" photo adventures I have traveled to Scotland last summer. A wonderful travel area, but many, many rain clouds. The journey went from Edinburgh to the West Coast and then along the coast to the northernmost point. Further along the East Coast and the Whisky Trail back to the starting point. We stayed overnight in palaces, castles and Guest Houses - a special experience.

From this trip I have made two photo books. You are now online and can be viewed on my website.

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More Photobooks can be found on my Homepage  www.rudolf-hug.ch .

Travel to Norway
My last trip to Norway, to photograph sea eagles, musk oxen and moose, was unfortunately accompanied by wet weather and strong winds of autumn. Nevertheless, in the few hours of dry weather, I could take some fantastic shots.


More in the next Newsletter.