Landscapes in the Khutzeymateen

Into the Khutzeymateen - 2013 © Christopher Martin

Justifiably, the Grizzly bears I spent time watching in the Khutzeymateen cast a long shadow and much of my time there and since returning has been spent thinking about them.  I have to say that even if I had seen no wildlife, the scenery in the Khutzeymateen is brilliant and I would have been able to fill my memory cards with landscape imagery.

Shade and sun fight in the Khutzeymateen - 2013 © Christopher Martin

Trapped in the ridges - 2013 © Christopher Martin

The inlet is relatively narrow, running roughly a mile wide for most of its length.  The mountains rise steeply up from the water, blanketed in most places with dense rainforest.  The trees are broken up by chutes, large and otherwise, where the snow has conspired to avalanche and by areas where the barren rock has prohibited the forest’s advance.

Rainforest silhouettes - 2013 © Christopher Martin

Forest in mist - 2013 © Christopher Martin

Throughout the day, chains of mist evolve across the mountainsides.  Whether under a leaden sky or in bright, open sunshine, these ethereal cousins to clouds continue unabated.  It was a true pleasure to just relax and watch them travel past.  While looking for the valley’s wildlife, I enjoyed picking out details along the coast as we motored past in the little zodiac boat.

A spontaneous creek - 2013 © Christopher Martin

The edge of coastal forest - 2013 © Christopher Martin

Berries in the wilds - 2013 © Christopher Martin

On the second to last afternoon, the rain abated and the sun lit up the valley a little before night stepped in.  It whispered of great weather and that held true for the next couple of days.

Lighting smoke - 2013 © Christopher Martin

Into night in the Khutzeymateen - 2013 © Christopher Martin

We sailed a few miles westwards towards the mouth of the inlet on the last evening.  The light was warm, so was the air – a nice time to photograph off the bow.

2013 © Christopher Martin

That night, the moon was full and when it cleared the ridge above the cove, it was a beautiful scene to behold.

Blue Moon rising over the Khutzeymateen - 2013 © Christopher Martin

The last morning, dawn was spectacular.

Dawn on the water in the Khutzeymateen Inlet - 2013 © Christopher Martin

12 responses

  1. elmediat

    Reveals the awe inspiring quality of Nature. Superb compositions.

    September 19, 2013 at 10:51 am

    • Thank you Elmediat – I’m very happy to hear you enjoyed the images.

      September 19, 2013 at 11:06 am

  2. Frank Baker

    Amazing Chris, simply amazing

    September 17, 2013 at 11:19 am

    • Thanks Frank. It’s been too long since we met up. I hope you are receiving all of the good things you deserve my friend.

      September 19, 2013 at 11:07 am

  3. Enjoying the view through your lens; that such a majestic, grand, moody looking vista. Wonderful captures.

    September 16, 2013 at 3:55 am

    • It is a special place. The mists, clouds and fog create incredible scenes all day long – in good or bad weather. A great place to photograph. Thank you for visiting the site.

      September 20, 2013 at 9:46 am

    • Fraz

      Amazing work, especially timing is great

      September 24, 2013 at 4:03 am

  4. Mjollnir

    Wonderful photos 😀

    September 16, 2013 at 3:42 am

  5. Fabulous photography. Thank you.

    September 16, 2013 at 3:30 am

  6. That place keeps looking better and better to me. Thanks for the landscape tour.

    September 15, 2013 at 11:48 pm

Your comments are truly appreciated - thank you for visiting.

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