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Greetings,
I've been a bit busy, which explains the lack of an August newsletter.
The Maven Kickstarter is still going on, I didn't come close to falling for a potential scam, I'm planning some new tours, and Sydney the dog had fun on the beach. Read on...
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Maven Kickstarter
In case you missed the launch of the Maven Filters Wave 3 Kickstarter, never fear. It’s still going on but will end on about Sept. 13th.
This is a great chance to either get started with these filters or to get more.
If you’re unfamiliar with Maven filters, they are magnetic, color-coded filters that will make your photographic life much easier and more creative. I love using their dark cpl filters: a neutral density filter with a built in polarizer.
These filters are of high quality, thin, and very well made. I can’t imagine going back to screw in filters.
You can take a look at the Kickstarter here. (Affiliate link)
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Beware of NFT scams
I recently received an email heaping praise in my “artwork” and wanting to “Explore the possibility of purchasing some of your work to feature in our collection." Adding "I believe your art will resonate with the audience.”
The email was not even signed, just offering “warm regards.” No company name, like ABC Designs or anything like that.
The “From:” field did contain a name, I’ll just call her Jane Doe, with an email address of janedoe16@gmail.com.
I wrote back thanking them and asking what pieces they were interested in and how they found my work.
In response they showed me a few of my photos from my Instagram feed and made an overture to discuss purchasing some to feature in their NFT collection.
Well, I know next to nothing about NFTs but I do know how to use the Google machine. The quote I was given to purchase photos amounted to about $10,000 each. Cool, huh?
Also too good to be true. So I went back to Mr. Google and asked about this. Not surprisingly, this is likely a scam wherein I’d be asked to pay upfront for “minting” fees or other such things.
There apparently are legitimate ways to sell NFTs but this email had none of the signs that my research showed a legitimate offer would have, and all the signs of big fat scam.
I declined to respond to the offer. But…but…$10,000 in cryptocurrency each!! Would have been nice.
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Looking ahead to 2026 and 2027
Beyond what I already have posted to my workshops site, in 2026 I’ll be adding one or two Yellowknife aurora tours. These will be in the second and third week of September. Tour one (the third week) is tentatively sold out but I may be adding a “second” tour slated for the second week in September. Not 100% positive yet, but if you’re interested in being either on the wait list for tour one or getting on the list for tour two, drop me a line.
Both tours will probably be limited to five.
Looking further ahead into 2027, I’m looking to return to the Lofoten Islands in Norway in Jan/Feb of 2027. The tours earlier this year were fantastic, so I thought I’d try it again.
And then there’s the Faroe Islands. I’m in the process of arranging a tour for the autumn (Sept/Oct 2027). The grasses turn gold, the days are shortening, and there is the possibility of auroras.
And finally, I’m planning a return to Iceland. This time, in the winter. The tour would focus on the south coast and include the ice caves, Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, Diamond Beach, auroras, and more. This will probably be in late 2026.
If any of that tempts you, let me know and I’ll add you to the early notify list.
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A short vacation
Well, I recently turned 65. And on that auspicious day, we packed up our RV (which, to be honest, was already mostly packed because my wife Tracy doesn't wait until the last minute) and headed to La Push on the Washington coast for the next four nights.
 La Push, on Quileute tribal land, is situated just south of Rialto Beach in Olympic National Park and just north of Second Beach, also in Olympic National Park. There's a nice resort with hotel rooms, cabins, and RV camping. Our site was literally feet (maybe 50 or 60 or so) from First Beach. First Beach is popular with surfers, beach walkers, and dogs. First Beach is also the place where Sydney met the ocean last year.
Syd really loves the beach and wants to run, but it's hard for her while on a leash. So on one of our walks, I took her to the far south end where the beach meets a headland and there were no people. There, I let her off her leash. She ran and ran and sniffed and dug. She finally got to zoomy stage and that's when she ran back to the dead puffin we had passed.
Oh, did I mention the dead puffin on the beach? I must have forgotten about it.
But Syd didn't.
 Up until that point she was coming back to me when I called her. But the allure of a dead thing overrode all chances of listening, let alone obeying.
She got a shower when we got back to the RV.
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Whales
There are still spaces available in my Sitka Whales tour next March 18-22. We'll be photographing Humpback whales bubble-net feeding, diving, slapping, and breaching. Though seeing a breach and being able to photograph it are two entirely different things--you're almost never ready or looking in the right direction. I've seen breaches on every trip to Sitka I've made to photograph whales. I've been able to capture one breach. It's all about just happening to be facing in the right way and having a camera ready. That being said, I've been outdone by clients on their first trip. Again, facing the right way at the right time. But just being able to see it is a thrill.
But the bubble-net feeding and the diving happens a lot and is easy to capture.
There will also be fishing boats, bald eagles, other birds, and maybe even other whales like Minke or Gray. And spectacular scenery.
For more information, just visit my Sitka Whales page.
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In closing
I'm heading back to Yellowknife in a couple of weeks. If you follow me on Instagram you'll be seeing some new aurora pictures. I hope. I've never been skunked on a Yellowknife trip; I've always seen and photographed auroras. So I'm pretty confident that new things are coming.
Speaking of.....In my last newsletter I teased an announcement. The announcement is that I've opened a new shop where folks can buy prints and other merchandise (mugs, puzzles, tote-bags, etc.). I'm planning on a print giveaway before the holidays and am hoping to be ready for that soon after returning from Yellowknife. The tough part is choosing the print to give away!
My new shop can be found here or by going to my main website and clicking on the Shop menu item. Take a look!
The picture on the wall above was made during one of my Palouse workshops. I still have room in next year's trip. Just sayin'.
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