Sitka Raptor Center

The Sitka Raptor Center is my second post on wildlife rescue from Sitka, Alaska. As with most rescue centers, I was both saddened by the stories of these injured creatures and delighted to watch them up close being rehabilitated and prepared for eventual release back in to the wild. The center is full of lively employees and volunteers, all as friendly as they were passionate about their work with these incredible birds.

Eagles have been in my life time an endangered species, which made it all the more wonderful to watch them swooping across the breathtaking landscapes, seemingly as common as crows. I feel that organizations like the Sitka Raptor Center deserve a lot of thanks for this.

I was reminded here that compassion for the wild life we so often displace or harm is of utmost importance to living harmoniously with nature and living a fulfilling life.

You can find more about the Sitka Raptor Center at their website: http://www.alaskaraptor.org/

It is most certainly worth a visit next time you find yourself in Sitka.

Love,

Rachel Deehan

Glacier Bay's Margerie Glacier

I have always wanted to see a glacier. I was inspired growing up with tales of John Muir and visiting Yosemite's incredible valley, carved out by giant walls of ice. Though I still am yet to hike or climb a glacier, Margerie is the first that I've seen up close. I can't put in to words how excited I was, so instead I will show you my photographs.

 It is a little hard to tell but in the panoramic image the glacier was calving. That is when large chunks of ice come off the face of the glacier. Rather good timing if I do say so myself.

This is a close up of the same photograph.

Seeing this beautiful relic of the ice ages was like a waking dream, I am happy that I can share it with you. 

Rachel Deehan

The Fortress of the bear.

Where do I begin.

 My trip to Alaska was short and sweet but I still managed to overload my computer with photographs. More pictures than I can edit in a month.

So let's start with one of my favorite trips, to the Fortress of the Bear in Sitka, Alaska.

The Fortress of the Bear is an orphanage for bear cubs. From what I was told It was started by a man who had the unfortunate job of shooting orphaned cubs so that they would not have to starve slowly.

Well now he runs a bear Orphanage.

 This bear is my favorite, her name is Toby and she is a fantastic model.

The bears have two very spacious enclosures, we were told that they included trees at one point, but the bears took care of that.

These bears can never be released back in to the wild, but for now it is a comfort that they have a beautiful place to live and a future. 

For more info on fortress of the bears check their website: http://fortressofthebear.org/

And if you ever find yourself in Sitka please visit and support this organization!

Love, 

Rachel Deehan

I woke up a little earlier than usual the other day to the first snow here this season. I get so excited when it snows that I got up and walked around the village taking pictures.

I thought this would be an appropriate day to post some wintery pictures.

Happy Christmas,

Rachel Deehan 

Lauren

Rachel and I had a wonderful opportunity to photograph our stunning friend Lauren a couple of days ago. The first two images were taken by Rachel. 

The last two were taken by myself. 

Thanks Lauren for being a fantastic model!

-Kailey

Christmas Cards for friends

Two of our friends had a great idea for a christmas card this year. Gerry made a Captain America costume for Halloween that was so awesome we needed a photograph. So Gerry and Patrick are Captain America and Red Skull in this photo shoot. Needless to say, they look bad ass.

Maybe one of you lucky folk will receive a hard copy of this in your stockings.

Happy Holidays,

Rachel Deehan

Tualatin River Nation Wildlife Refuge

 This weekend Rachel and I decided to take a look at Oregon's beautiful Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge. For the first time in awhile, we found ourselves standing in front of wide open spaces. The Tualatin Refuge is best known as a home to some 200 species of birds, 50 species of mammals, 25 species of reptiles and amphibians, and a wide variety of insects fish and plants. As we wandered the trails we found a quiet solitude, our own secret garden in which the weight of the world seemed all at once lighter. 

-Kailey

I've been wanting to do some self portraits for a while. Kailey always says it's the best thing to do when you feel directionless or out of touch with yourself. I hadn't expected this hike to be an opportunity for me to try one. The trail was not as private as I would like for a nude, but we found a secluded spot and I found myself in a lovely setting so I decided to give it a shot. I love the result, especially after I paired it with some flowers I had been attracted to at the beginning of the trail. 

-Rachel