Phil Colla

Southern Ocean

Hannah Point, Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands

Our final land visit was at Hannah Point in the South Shetland Islands. The crossing to Livingston Island from the northern tip of the Antarctic peninsula was, in a word, snotty. Decent swells, snow and rain, and high winds. Not drama-queen rough, but rocking and rolling enough that I preferred…

Phil CollaDecember 22, 2010

Antarctica Humpback Whale Southern Ocean

Humpback Whales in the Gerlache Strait, Antarctica

As we sailed north from Neko Harbor to the South Shetland Islands, we came upon a large assemblage of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) feeding in the Gerlache Strait. They were on krill, as evidenced by the color of their waste, but the water was too rough to make out patches…

Phil CollaDecember 21, 2010

Antarctica Humpback Whale Southern Ocean

Neko Harbor, Antarctica

Photos of Neko Harbor, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica I awoke this morning to find us in the calm anchorage of Paradise Bay. The water was glass, and bergs were slowly drifting by the boat, riding tidal currents. I set up a time lapse sequence on the stern of the boat and…

Phil CollaDecember 20, 2010

Antarctica Southern Ocean Time Lapse Video

Cloudy Morning in Paradise Bay, Antarctica

Last night we sailed down the Lemaire Channel a second time, after a visit to Peterman Island. This morning we awoke in Paradise Bay. We would remain here for a few hours while we ate breakfast. As I was below in the galley enjoying eggs, cheese, fruit and coffee (the…

Phil CollaDecember 19, 2010

Antarctica Southern Ocean

Peterman Island, Antarctica

Photos of Peterman Island, Antarctica Soon after passing through the Lemaire Channel we arrive at Peterman Island. Peterman Island is a relatively low-lying, somewhat flattish granite island with scattered gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) colonies and some small ponds. Rounded rocks along the edge of the island are awash with small…

Phil CollaDecember 18, 2010

Antarctica Southern Ocean

Lemaire Channel, Antarctica

Soon after leaving Port Lockroy in our wake, we arrive at the famous Lemaire Channel, noted for its narrow confines and spectacular cliffs rising on each side. About six miles long, the LeMaire Channel takes about one hour to navigate (depending on how much ice is in the channel). Conditions…

Phil CollaDecember 17, 2010

Antarctica Southern Ocean

Port Lockroy, Antarctica

Photos of Port Lockroy, Antarctica It was quite early in the morning that our day began, traveling down the Neumayer Channel to tiny Goudier Island on which the Port Lockeroy base resides. The skies were heavily overcast, so we did not have an opportunity to see the magnificent surroundings that…

Phil CollaDecember 16, 2010

Birds Bosque del Apache New Mexico

Bosque Del Apache NWR, New Mexico, 2010

Skip and I made a short trip to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, in New Mexico, to photograph snow geese (Chen caerulescens) and sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis). This is strictly bird photography and has essentially nothing to do with the marine subjects that I really prefer. But its cheap,…

Phil CollaDecember 13, 2010

Slot Canyons The American Southwest Utah Zion

Fall Colors in the Virgin River Narrows, Zion National Park

The Virgin River Narrows in Zion National Park is an incredible slot canyon carved out of the red rock sandstone that characterizes this part of Utah. One can walk upstream on the river bed from the Temple of Sinawava for several miles. I plan to return with my daughter next…

Phil CollaNovember 16, 2010

The American Southwest Utah Zion

Arch Angel Falls, The Subway, Zion National Park, Utah

Archangel Falls is located a few hundred yards before and below the Subway, in Zion National Park, Utah. Our hike to the Subway took us past a number of small cascades. Most of them would be hard to categorize as waterfalls, but Archangel Falls (or is it Arch Angel Falls?)…

Phil CollaNovember 11, 2010

The American Southwest Utah Zion

Fall Colors, The Subway, Zion National Park, Utah

On the approach to The Subway in Zion National Park is this intriguing erosion slot, about 4" wide. Water rushes through it, blurred in this photograph. The maples and cottonwoods were in their full fall color and their fallen leaves were everywhere. Water rushes through a narrow crack, in the…

Phil CollaNovember 10, 2010

Slot Canyons The American Southwest Utah Zion

Hiking the Virgin River Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah

I recently made a couple of fantastic hikes in Zion National Park: the Subway and the Virgin River Narrows. I am editing photographs now, but here is a short rough video I shot on our hikes. The highlights were Archangel Falls near the Subway, and the Wall Street section of…

Phil CollaNovember 9, 2010

Aerial Photography Blue Whale California GeoBlog

Blue Whale Aerial Photos

Blue whale aerial photos This blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) was photographed from the air as it surfaced off the coast of Redondo Beach (near Los Angeles, California) to exhale and take a new breath, before diving underwater to feed on krill. Blue whale, exhaling as it surfaces from a dive,…

Phil CollaOctober 21, 2010

Skip's Trips

Annette Patterson in the Sea of Cortez

Annette Patterson was with Skip in the Sea of Cortez recently and she shot a super group of images. Just more great photography to make me jealous I was not on the trip! Click to see more...

Phil CollaOctober 21, 2010

Skip's Trips

Skip Stubbs in the Sea of Cortez (2010)

Once again my friend Skip Stubbs has been diving in the Sea of Cortez with his pals. It seems like that's all he does! This time he was shooting underwater panoramas (in addition to his usual video) Yes, the same multiple-image stitched panoramas that all of us are shooting these…

Phil CollaOctober 20, 2010

Astrophotography and Night Scapes California Sierra Nevada

North Lake, Dusk to Dawn

I suppose photos of North Lake shoreline in fall are cliche, in part because of the internet and the fact that so many photographers now visit this small area to photograph eastern Sierra fall colors during a few weeks each October. I still have yet to be there when a…

Phil CollaOctober 17, 2010

Sierra Nevada

Bishop Creek Canyon Fall Colors

Photos of Eastern Sierra Fall Colors and Aspen Trees in Bishop Creek Canyon Like moths to the flame, Garry and I made a banzai run* up to Bishop Creek Canyon to get some fresh air and check out the fall colors last weekend. The quaking aspen trees (Populus tremuloides) had…

Phil CollaOctober 12, 2010

Aerial Photography California San Clemente Island

San Clemente Island Aerial Photograph

Aerial photograph of San Clemente Island, California San Clemente Island Pyramid Head, the distinctive pyramid shaped southern end of the island. San Clemente Island Pyramid Head, showing geologic terracing, underwater reefs and giant kelp forests Image ID: 26003 Location: San Clemente Island, California, USA San Clemente Island is where I…

Phil CollaSeptember 30, 2010

Aerial Photography California Catalina

Catalina Island Aerial Photograph

Aerial photograph of Catalina Island I was very fortunate recently to have the opportunity to fly over Catalina Island, and was able to take a few photographs of the West End of the island. Growing up in Newport Beach I used to visit Catalina fairly often as a kid, and…

Phil CollaSeptember 29, 2010

Astrophotography and Night Scapes

Photo of Jupiter and moons Europa, Callisto and Ganymede

Photo of Jupiter and its moons Europa, Callisto and Ganymede Last night as I put my daughter to bed, we looked out her window. The moon was bright and clear, and below and just to the right of the moon was an especially bright star. When we noticed smaller specks…

Phil CollaSeptember 23, 2010

Antarctica Penguin Southern Ocean

Cuverville Island, Antarctica

Photos of Gentoo Penguins on Cuverville Island, Antarctica Gentoo penguin tending to its two chicks. The nest is made of small stones.Image ID: 25551Species: Gentoo penguin, Pygoscelis papuaLocation: Cuverville Island, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica We are gradually working our way south along the western flanks of the Antarctica Peninsula. This afternoon…

Phil CollaSeptember 22, 2010

Antarctica Humpback Whale Southern Ocean

Cierva Cove, Antarctica

Photos of Cierva Cove, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica We begin our morning today in Cierva Cove, directly south from yesterday’s landing at Bailey Head on Deception Island. Cierva Cove is said to be a good location to see marine mammals. However, this morning the skies are dark and the air is…

Phil CollaSeptember 20, 2010

California Redwood Trees

Coast Redwood Tree, Sequoia sempervirens

Stock photos of Sequoia sempervirens, the Coast Redwood Tree. Sequoia sempervirens, also known as the Coast Redwood, Giant Redwood, or simply Redwood Tree, is the tallest species of tree in the world. The Coast Redwood tree is the only member of the genus Sequoia, part of the Cypress tree family.…

Phil CollaSeptember 17, 2010

Elk Redwood

Roosevelt Elk, Cervus canadensis roosevelti

Photos of Roosevelt Elk (Cervus canadensis roosevelti) in Redwood National Park The Roosevelt Elk (Cervus canadensis roosevelti) is the largest of the four surviving subspecies of elk in North America. Roosevelt elk are found in temperate rainforests and meadows of the Pacific Northwest, including Olympic and Redwood National Park. Only…

Phil CollaSeptember 15, 2010

California Redwood Trees

Lady Bird Johnson Grove, Redwood National Park

Lady Bird Johnson Grove in Redwood National Park is gorgeous. From clover and ferns covering the soil to tall rhododendron bushes at eye level to the coast redwood trees (Sequoia sempervirens) and Douglas firs towering above, this grove seems to harbor countless shades of green and brown. I spent two…

Phil CollaSeptember 8, 2010

California Sierra Nevada Yosemite

A Return to Vogelsang High Sierra Camp

Photos of Vogelsang High Sierra Camp in Yosemite National Park Last month I made a brief return trip to Vogelsang High Sierra Camp, following my first visit in 2009. This time my father joined me, and we had a chance to spend a few days together in some of the…

Phil CollaSeptember 7, 2010

Arizona Landscape Monument Valley The American Southwest

Monument Valley Panoramic Photo

I just received an inquiry about my Monument Valley panoramic photo. I had forgotten about this image, and when I saw it again I was reminded of the beautiful, warm light that fell on the buttes when I last visited there. I was on my way south from Arches National…

Phil CollaAugust 31, 2010

Elk National Parks Redwood Video

Redwood National Park Video

Redwood National Park Video We spent a few days relaxing in Orick, California, in the heart of Redwood National Park. We enjoyed some great hikes among the towering coastal redwood trees, a little horseback riding, some uncrowded and beautiful beaches, and lots of Roosevelt elk that reside in the meadows…

Phil CollaAugust 16, 2010

Antarctica Penguin Southern Ocean

Bailey Head, Deception Island, Antarctica

Bailey Head, Deception Island, Antarctic Peninsula Chinstrap penguins at Bailey Head, Deception Island. Chinstrap penguins enter and exit the surf on the black sand beach at Bailey Head on Deception Island. Bailey Head is home to one of the largest colonies of chinstrap penguins in the world.Image ID: 25455Species: Chinstrap…

Phil CollaAugust 8, 2010

Skip's Trips

Skip Stubbs at Guadalupe Island 2010

My good friend and diving partner Skip Stubbs recently returned another trip to Guadalupe Island, Mexico. Skip shot some nice still photographs in addition to his usual video footage. They make me long to be back down at the island again. Skip comments: After an unfortunate 4 year hiatus, we…

Phil CollaAugust 4, 2010

Antarctica Penguin Southern Ocean

Brown Bluff, Antarctica

Photos of Brown Bluff, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica Our approach to Brown Bluff took us across a broad sound complete with blue sky and many scenic bergs, then into a thick fog bank as we left the sound and entered a narrower passage with clouds and cold air pouring down to…

Phil CollaJuly 23, 2010

Antarctica Penguin Southern Ocean Time Lapse

Devil Island, Antarctica

Photos of Devil Island, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica Arriving at Devil Island, the morning presented the most spectacular blue-sky weather we experienced during our entire voyage. Devil Island rose above us after we anchored, twin peaks about 800’ high framing a saddle about half that. On the slope of the island…

Phil CollaJuly 20, 2010

Antarctica Penguin Southern Ocean

Zodiac Cruising in Antarctica

Photos of Zodiac Cruising in Antartica I was able to spend quite a bit of time sightseeing and photographing from a Zodiac (inflatable) while in Antarctica. These hours were some of the most special of the trip. In some ways, one has more freedom of movement while in a zodiac…

Phil CollaJuly 16, 2010

Guadalupe Island Mexico

Guadalupe Island :: First Impressions

First Impressions: Guadalupe Island, Mexico September 1994. Our early expeditionary trips to Guadalupe Island on the Horizon were wild affairs. Each year Skip assembled a superb mix of skilled spearfishermen looking for giant tuna and intrepid SCUBA divers seeking to explore the scarcely seen underwater environment of remote Guadalupe Island.…

Phil CollaJuly 15, 2010

Tear Sheets

International Conservation Photography Awards 2010

The 2010 occasion of the International Conservation Photography Awards was held recently in Seattle, with winners being announced June 19 and an exhibit of many of images running until September 6 at The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture at the University of Washington. You can view online photos…

Phil CollaJuly 14, 2010

Antarctica Penguin Southern Ocean Time Lapse Video

Paulet Island, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica

Photos of Paulet Island, Antarctic Peninsula, and photos of Adelie penguins We arrive early in the morning at Paulet Island, our first taste of the Antarctic Peninsula. As we navigate our approach through ice-filled channels around the island, large groups of Adelie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) are seen swimming in the…

Phil CollaJuly 11, 2010

Antarctica Penguin Southern Ocean

Nature’s Best Photography Cover Shot

The cover image of the current issue of Nature's Best Photography is my photograph of an Adelie penguin taken earlier this year in Antarctica: The photo also appears in the interior of the issue, since it was fortunate to be given an honorable mention in this years Ocean Views photography…

Phil CollaJune 16, 2010

California Death Valley Desert National Parks

The Racetrack, Death Valley National Park

Photos of the Racetrack in Death Valley National Park, and the Racetrack's sliding rocks (or sailing stones). The Racetrack is an ancient dry lake bed in Death Valley, famous for its sailing stones. Located between the Last Chance Mountains and the Cottonwood Mountains, the Racetrack Playa lies at 3600' above…

Phil CollaJune 14, 2010

California Death Valley Desert Infrared National Parks The American Southwest

Eureka Valley Sand Dunes, Death Valley National Park

Stock photos of the Eureka Valley Sand Dunes and the Eureka Valley in Death Valley National Park. One of the goals of our recent Death Valley trip was to reach the wonderful Eureka Valley Sand Dunes. At almost 700' tall, these dunes are some of the tallest in the United…

Phil CollaJune 11, 2010

California Death Valley Desert Flora National Parks

Eureka Valley Dune Grass, Swallenia alexandrae

Stock photos of the Eureka Valley Dune Grass, Swallenia alexandrae, in Death Valley National Park. The Eureka Valley Dune Grass (Swallenia alexandrae) is a federally endangered grass found only in the Eureka Valley, in the far northern reaches of Death Valley National Park. Swallenia is a monotypic genus, consisting only…

Phil CollaJune 10, 2010

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