Winfly in Antarctica = Amazing Sky

As Winfly (winter flyin) comes to an end here in Antarctica and we prepare for Mainbody(the main summer season), I thought I would post a few photos.  The Winfly time here is incredible from a photographer standpoint.  The night is getting shorter every day and it will only be another few weeks before the last sunset of the summer season.  I have been working mostly on the sea ice since I got here putting in a route from McMurdo Station to Cape Evans.

Early on in the season we had a week of incredible nacreous clouds.  These clouds are very rare.  They form in very cold temperatures in the upper reaches of the atmosphere.  Because they are so high they are seen after sunset when the sun reflects off them.  

Vince's Cross

Nacreous clouds see from McMurdo Station

Nacreous clouds and one of the first sunrises of the antarctic summer.

Tofino, BC

We just got back from a trip to Tofino,  British Columbia, where we spent the week between Christmas and New Years day.  Most of the time was spent relaxing, and for me that means at least some time shooting photos.

The first few days were exceptionally rainy an windy.  The sheet of paper taped to the door of the lodge upon our arrival read

"Vancouver Island's Pacific Rim National Park are warning visitors about massive waves, gale force winds and hazardous surf conditions this holiday season."

Prefect for me who does not really enjoy the warm and sunny beaches of the world.  The forecast turned out to be fairly accurate...

Chesterman Beach in a driving rain storm.

With the amount of time I spend in the mountains, I get the chance to see a lot of very interesting cloud formations.  My early morning walk to watch the sunrise from the beach produced one of the more interesting cloud photos I have ever shot.

What would a trip be without some bird photos.

Not a good photo, but apparently eagles enjoy seagull snacks.

Fox Sparrow

Yet another bad photo of an oyster catcher.  I will get a good photo one day.  

Driftwood on the beach.

What would a family trip be without some family photos.

The last night of the trip I shot a couple black and whites.