Natural History Photography Blog – Page 4 – Natural History Photography Blog

Best Photographs of the Year

Natural History Photography – Best Photos of 2020

My Best Natural History Photographs of 2020 That 2020 was strange is perhaps the understatement of the year, but some perspective is always helpful. My family is well and work proceeds which makes me fortunate. I was forced to cancel a number of heavy trips, but they can always be…

Phil CollaDecember 28, 2020

Islas Coronado Mexico Sea Lion Underwater Photography

Young California Sea Lions at the Coronado Islands, Baja California, Mexico

Fall is the best time to dive with young California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Most pups are born in May and June, and by September they have become strong enough to swim and will venture out from the rocks on which they live into shallow water. A sea lion colony…

Phil CollaNovember 22, 2020

California Sierra Nevada Trees

Fall Colors in Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada, 2020

As I try to do each autumn, I recently returned to some of my favorite spots in the Bishop Creek watershed to enjoy autumn's brief show. Inyo National Forest has been closed lately due to major fires throughout California including the nearby Creek Fire, but opened a week ago in…

Phil CollaOctober 12, 2020

Guadalupe Island Mexico

Cloud Wakes and Von Karman Vortices at Guadalupe Island, Mexico

In addition to exceptional underwater scenery and wildlife, Guadalupe Island is host to spectacular weather, much of it the result of the island's singular, impressive geometry. Standing alone in the Pacific Ocean and reaching a height of 4257', Isla Guadalupe disrupts whatever weather is flowing past the island. There might…

Phil CollaSeptember 20, 2020

California Sierra Nevada

Hiking to Conness Lakes in the Hoover Wilderness, Inyo National Forest

Conness Lakes is one of my favorite hikes in the Sierra Nevada. Within just a few miles of the trailhead I can be standing in a granite cirque surrounded by 12,000-foot peaks with several beautiful glacier-fed lakes within easy reach. Alone. I try to return every few years, and managed…

Phil CollaAugust 18, 2020

Canada Hornby Island Sea Lion Underwater Photography

So You Want to Dive with Steller Sea Lions? This is What You Can Look Forward To.

I've spent a lot of time diving with sea lions and love it. There is no bad sea lion dive (with one exception which I'll get to at the end). I have more photographs of them than I need, but I will keep diving with and photographing sea lions until…

Phil CollaAugust 3, 2020

Astrophotography and Night Scapes California Sierra Nevada Yosemite

Serenity Now: Yosemite’s Quietest Summer?

I recently spent four days hiking in Yosemite National Park. It was strange to be in Yosemite after being cooped up at home for four months, but Yosemite with no crowds is a gift at anytime of the year and I took advantage of it. Alone. Following are some of…

Phil CollaJuly 6, 2020

Bahamas Sharks Underwater Photography Wildlife

New Tiger Shark Photographs (Galeocerdo Cuvier), Bahamas

I made new tiger shark photos in the Bahamas on my last trip there. Tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) are really impressive fish, capable predators and in control of their surroundings. It was a real pleasure spending hours in the water with them swimming around us. Tiger sharks are typically about…

Phil CollaMay 6, 2020

Underwater Photography Whales

The Greatest Muscles in the Animal Kingdom

You think you've got horsepower in your Lamborghini? You got nothing compared to what Mother Nature has conjured in the great whales. Having evolved to roam the open ocean their entire lives, sometimes at considerable speed, the great whales have the most impressive drive train in the animal kingdom, capable…

Phil CollaMay 2, 2020

Mexico Sea of Cortez Underwater Photography

Longnose Hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus) on Black Coral (Antipatharia), Sea of Cortez, Mexico

The last time I was diving in the Sea of Cortez, I decided to try to photograph the longbill hawkfish in black coral. My friend Mike took us to dive on his namesake reef, a secret spot north of La Paz with reefs that are spectacularly lush and covered with…

Phil CollaApril 30, 2020

California Ocean Sunfish San Diego Underwater Photography

Diver Encounters a Gigantic Enormous Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) near San Diego

San Diego is the world's best place to see the giant ocean sunfish (Mola mola). I have made many trips offshore with my dive buddies to find ocean sunfish, sometimes as far as 40 miles out where the water is blue, warm and clear. Occasionally we will find one or…

Phil CollaApril 27, 2020

Islas Coronado Mexico Sea Lion Underwater Photography

California Sea Lions at Lobster Shack, Coronado Islands, Mexico

I try to reach Lobster Shack at North Coronado Island each fall to dive with California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus). Some years are better than others but generally the months of October and November offer superb encounters with these gregarious young pinnipeds. I say young because in fact the gangs…

Phil CollaMarch 30, 2020

Canada Hornby Island Sea Lion Underwater Photography

Underwater Photos of Steller Sea Lions, Eumetopias jubatus, British Columbia

In January I made another trip to Hornby Island to photograph Steller Sea Lions (Eumetopias jubatus). This is some of the most exciting scuba diving that can be done anywhere in the world and is not for the faint of heart! Steller sea lions are some of the largest pinnipeds in…

Phil CollaMarch 25, 2020

Argentina Underwater Photography Whales

Underwater Photos of Southern Right Whales, Eubalaena australis

In September 2019 I was able to visit Puerto Piramides, a town on Peninsula Valdes on the coast of Argentina, to photograph Southern Right Whales (Eubalaena australis). This had been a dream of mine since the 90s when I was active in humpback whale research in the Hawaiian Islands. One of…

Phil CollaMarch 10, 2020

Argentina Sea Lion Underwater Life Underwater Photography

South American Sea Lion, Patagonia, Argentina

I was in Patagonia recently to photograph Southern Right Whales. While there, my friends and I took a morning to visit South American Sea Lions (Otaria flavescens) near the coastal city of Puerto Madryn. A resident colony of South American sea lions is there, and it is relatively simple to…

Phil CollaMarch 10, 2020

California Haiku White Mountains

Ancient Bristlecone Haiku

Ancient Bristlecone Persisting through the Eons You must be so bored Bristlecone pine displays its characteristic gnarled, twisted form as it rises above the arid, dolomite-rich slopes of the White Mountains at 11000-foot elevation. Patriarch Grove, Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest.Image ID: 17475Species: Bristlecone Pine, Pinus longaevaLocation: White Mountains, Inyo National…

Phil CollaMarch 8, 2020

Slot Canyons The American Southwest Utah

Hiking Kanarra Creek Falls, Kanarraville, Utah

Kanarra Creek Falls is a beautiful slot canyon, a great spot for a hike and photography in the summer and fall. Also known as Kanarraville Falls, the creek and slot canyon are just north of Zion National Park's Kolob Canyon near Kanarraville, Utah. A 1.5 mile hike takes you from…

Phil CollaMarch 8, 2020

Antelope Canyon Arizona Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyons The American Southwest The Wave Utah White Pocket

The Ultimate Photographer’s Weekend in Page, Arizona

Great photography spots around Page, Arizona, including Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Canyon X, Radio Tower Rock, Rattlesnake Canyon, Stud Horse Point, Little Cut, the Toadstool Hoodoos, and the Wave and White Pocket. What visit to Page, Arizona is complete with a spectacular Horseshoe Bend sunrise? So you…

Phil CollaFebruary 24, 2020

Arizona Slot Canyons The American Southwest

Rattlesnake Canyon and Owl Canyon, Page, Arizona

There are many slot canyons in the area around Page, Arizona. In my opinion, Rattlesnake Canyon is the most sinuous and interesting to traverse. Rattlesnake Canyon is part of the Upper Antelope Canyon wash system, and one passes right by Rattlesnake on the way to Upper Antelope. Photographically, I have…

Phil CollaFebruary 1, 2020

Best Photographs of the Year Browning Pass Canada Iceland

Natural History Photography – Best Photos of 2019

My Best Natural History Photographs of 2019 2019 offered opportunities to again dive the chilly waters of Browning Pass at the far northern end of Vancouver Island, photograph the Southern California spring wildflower bloom, travel to Rome, Paris, Iceland and London with my family, dive with whales and sea lions…

Phil CollaDecember 18, 2019

Beautiful Views of San Diego California San Diego

Torrey Pines State Reserve and Broken Hill Sunrise

This is a great time of year to get out along the coast of San Diego: dry clear mornings, tourists are mostly gone and the sun is far enough south that we have nice long shadows well after sunrise. For 35 years I have been running, hiking and photographing Torrey…

Phil CollaOctober 17, 2019

California Sierra Nevada Trees

Piper’s Biennial Eastern Sierra Fall Color Hiking Trip

9/29/2019 Piper and I made a quick fall-color trip along the Highway 395, visiting a few of our favorite hiking spots. A cold front that came through Saturday afternoon put a damper on hiking Little Lakes Valley with hail, ice, temps in the low 20s and high winds, but the…

Phil CollaOctober 1, 2019

Fiji Underwater Photography

The Insanely Beautiful Coral Reefs of Fiji

If I had but one tropical location to dive for the rest of my life, it would be coral reefs of Fiji's Bligh Waters. A labyrinth of current-swept coral reefs, Bligh Water reefs are covered with an insane profusion of colorful soft corals. Reaching out from the hard coral substrate…

Phil CollaAugust 5, 2019

Aerial Photography Iceland

Aerial Photos of Iceland

Our travels in Europe were primarily a mix of volleyball, cuisine, art and history. We shoe-horned a week in Iceland between Paris and London with priority on spa selfies at the Blue Lagoon. Secondary goals were taking in the waterfalls, Icelandic horses, black sand beaches and wide-open roads of the…

Phil CollaAugust 5, 2019

Browning Pass Canada Underwater Photography Vancouver

The Spectacular Underwater Reefs of Browning Pass, British Columbia

There it is in a few aerial photos, Browning Pass, site of some of the finest diving in the world. Cold, with nutrient rich current-laden waters, Browning Pass supports some of the richest, most profuse reefs I have seen anywhere in my diving career. Browning Pass aerial photo, with Nigei…

Phil CollaJuly 19, 2019

Fiji Underwater Photography Vatu i Ra Passage

A Sampling of Fiji Marine Creatures

Aerial View of Vatu-i-Ra Coral Seascape, Fiji Image ID: 34691 Location: Vatu I Ra Passage, Bligh Waters, Viti Levu Island, Fiji On my last trip to Fiji the goal was to make expansive wide-angle images of the spectacular coral reefs of the Fiji's Bligh Waters, of which the Vatu-i-ra Seascape…

Phil CollaJuly 10, 2019

Browning Pass Canada Underwater Photography

Marine Creatures of Browning Pass and God’s Pocket 2019

In early 2019 I returned with my cameras and dry suit to God's Pocket, a tiny and remote diving lodge on Hurst Island near the top of Vancouver Island, for a few weeks of the world's best cold-water diving. Damn it was great, I mean Really Great. I've been diving…

Phil CollaJuly 8, 2019

Aerial Photography Fiji Vatu i Ra Passage

Fiji Islands Aerial Coral Reef Photos

During my last trip to Fiji aboard the Naia, I spent time between dives photographing the gorgeous coral reefs from the air. The most productive areas were the Vatu-i-ra Seascape and around Namena Marine Reserve. We would make 4-5 dives each day on these reefs and, as I had experienced…

Phil CollaJuly 6, 2019

California Carlsbad Desert San Diego The American Southwest Wildflowers

Sorry but No, 2019 Was Not a #Superbloom

It's official: 2019 was not a wildflower #superbloom. Huh? But Internet said? In spite of what was trending, 2019 in southern California was just #spring. What about #elsinore #poppypocalypse? That was an entirely predictable social media feedback loop of herd behavior. As far as the flowers themselves go however, Elsinore…

Phil CollaJuly 3, 2019

Beautiful Views of San Diego La Jolla San Diego

Torrey Pines State Beach Golden Wintertime Sunset

I've been running, hiking, swimming and photographing Torrey Pines State Beach and Reserve for 37 years. It is the most spectacular section of coastline in all of San Diego County. When I lived in Del Mar and ran it almost daily I would sometimes be blessed with solitude on the…

Phil CollaMay 12, 2019

Islas Coronado Mexico Sea Lion Underwater Photography

Cyclops the Strange-Eyed California Sea Lion

In December I spent a day diving the Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California in Mexico, home to one of the better California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) rookeries within a reasonable drive. The water was off-color so I did not make any beautiful images but I did encounter Cyclops the…

Phil CollaMay 12, 2019

Pelicans of La Jolla Seabird

Photos of California Brown Pelicans in La Jolla

Since I dive with seabirds and often have fine opportunities to observe them in and under the water, photography of seabirds holds a certain appeal and I do pursue it from time to time. However, there is really only one bird that I have been able to photograph well, primarily…

Phil CollaJanuary 31, 2019

Best Photographs of the Year Haleakala

Natural History Photography – Best Photos of 2018

My Best Natural History Photographs of 2018 2018 offered opportunities for me to spend a week in Maui with my family, dive the chilly waters of God's Pocket in northern Vancouver Island, return to dive Fiji's gorgeous reefs on the wonderful Naia, enjoy some college volleyball and fall colors on…

Phil CollaJanuary 1, 2019

Aerial Photography Islas Coronado Sea Lion Underwater Photography

California Sea Lion Pups in the Coronado Islands

In early November I spent a day diving with California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Lobster Shack at the North Island was place to be since that's where a great colony of sea lions is. Conditions were excellent, about as good as diving in the Coronados gets. Photographer friend Allison had…

Phil CollaDecember 31, 2018

California Underwater Photography

SCUBA Diving the Southern California Oil Rigs

I've recently made a few more dives underneath the oil rigs (platforms) off Southern California. Platform Eureka stands alone in 700' of water and is my favorite. The twins, Platforms Ellen and Elly, lie in 260' of water. Depending on how recently the structure has been cleaned of invertebrate life, one…

Phil CollaDecember 20, 2018

North Carolina

Fall Colors on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina

Late October and early November had me in North Carolina for a look at fall colors on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville. It was beautiful, and I look forward to returning next autumn. Cheers, and thanks for looking! Blue Ridge Parkway Fall Colors, Asheville, North Carolina Image ID: 34635…

Phil CollaDecember 14, 2018

Blue Whale California Underwater Photography

A Few New Blue Whale Photos

A huge blue whale swims through the open ocean in this underwater photograph. The blue whale is the largest animal ever to live on Earth. Image ID: 34567 Species: Blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus Location: San Diego, California, USA Blue whales have been in our area recently. Not too long ago…

Phil CollaJuly 14, 2018

California National Parks Sierra Nevada Yosemite

Yosemite Valley in Spring, May 2018

I try to get into Yosemite Valley each Spring, usually in May since that is when Yosemite's waterfalls are at their most impressive. This year I spent a couple days photographing and hiking in early May. The dogwood bloom was peaking and, while I am not a wildflower photographer, I…

Phil CollaJune 24, 2018

Browning Pass Canada Underwater Photography

Diving British Columbia’s Browning Pass and God’s Pocket Provincial Marine Park

"The Best Cold Water Diving in the World" Strong words. True? Probably. I recently spent a week diving in and around Browning Pass, a spectacular underwater ecosystem at the very north tip of Vancouver Island on the West Coast of British Columbia. The area is home to many islands, islets,…

Phil CollaMay 7, 2018

Best Photographs of the Year

Natural History Photography – Best Photos of 2017

My Best Natural History Photographs of 2017 2017 offered opportunities for me to visit remote and seldom-seen Clipperton Island, frolic with enormous Steller Sea Lions in the chilly waters of British Columbia, photograph (again) the wonderful underwater and aerial views of the Sea of Cortez, hike among Southern California's technicolor…

Phil CollaDecember 17, 2017

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