Glaciers are one of the most awe-inspiring formations in nature. The blue color of the ancient ice is a shade of blue seen nowhere else on earth. The size and shapes of the icebergs that fill the fjords leave you wondering about what else you could possibly see around the next corner. And witnessing the formation of these icebergs, when a huge chunk of ice calves off from the face of the 300ft tall glacier, is really a marvel.
Most people who are lucky enough to see these fjords and glaciers do so from the comfort of a cruise ship. More intrepid travelers might choose to get onto small inflatable zodiacs and go whipping around the chunks of ice to get a closer look at the glacier face. But maybe the most serene and awe-inspiring way to experience these glaciers, is by slipping into a kayak.
There is something so calming as you glide, silently among the ice. It is one of the most ethereal experiences I've had in nature. If you ever get to a part of the world that has glaciers like Alaska, Antarctica, Norway, or Patagonia....I highly suggest you go out of your way to find an operator who does kayaking. You won't be disappointed!
That blue color is something I still see when I close my eyes and think of Alaska
This is going to be a long kayak... he says with 2 miles left to go.
Getting closer. The water was flat calm so I took out my Canon 5d camera (in a dry bag of course!)
I like trying to get interesting icebergs in the foreground and the glacier in the background like this.
A photo with my long lens of our other group. They look tiny in front of the massive glacier.
Cool forms of ice are everywhere you look. I can't get too close to the big icebergs through because they might flip, and in turn flip me. It is true that most of the iceberg is underwater. Sometimes 90% of it!
Switching perspectives from the wide angle to the telephoto...400mm lens
I brought back a small iceberg as a decoration for the ship's bar. Also I told people to chip off chunks of the 100 year old ice, then pour 20 year old scotch over it for a very 'well aged' drink.
The ultimate calm. Just imagine kayaking in these conditions.
Another change in perspective. A close-up of the ice.
I'm sure I was not supposed to get out and do this but it was worth it!
Even in the rain it is a fun experience. There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing choices!
I hope you enjoyed this trip through the ice with me. I love kayaking, the ocean, glaciers, and photography...so was pretty amazing getting to combine all of them into one incredible experience.
Check out the destination here on pinmapple.com
[//]:# (!pinmapple 57.510150 lat -132.935507 long Kayaking around Glaciers d3scr)
and keep shooting!
-Dai Mar