I’m back. While it was a good trip, photographic conditions on the
Although conditions sucked, I did manage to get a few shots that were acceptable. This first shot shows just how big some of the mobile oil rigs really are:
Yes, that’s me in full
This next shot, while not particularly interesting subject-wise, shows two things. It shows a festively-decorated oil rig in the distance, and it shows just how (not) light it gets. This photo was taken about
If you ever decide to visit beautiful
It’s a short walk across the street from the Deadhorse airport.
I have, of course, saved the best for last. While out visiting one of the rigs, we had a visitor. I took as many shots as I could, but the wind had picked up and the temperature was dropping, and I ended up with only one usable photo. However, it’s a pretty good one, and I think this one shot justified the trip:
I wish I could tell you all about how I had to trudge through snow and bitter cold and sneak up on him unawares, but I can’t do that. He just walked up to me and patiently sat there while I tried to take a picture with shivering, non-gloved hands, and when I finally gave up and walked away, he trotted behind, obviously holding out for royalty negotiations.
So all in all a good, interesting trip. I uploaded most of the good photos here. If you’ve got any questions, feel free to ask!
December 18th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Good to see you back, wolf! You’re right, the fox made the whole thing worth while! I enjoyed the pictures! Interesting place to visit, but I don’t think I’d want to stay!
December 18th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Great pics, Wolf! Glad you had a good trip. My brother makes a couple of trips to Barrow every year; I was wondering how far away you were from there.
Thanks for sharing the photos.
December 18th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
montucky: I’m with you there. I wouldn’t mind visiting again in the summer, when there’s more wildlife and more light, but living there is out of the question.
December 18th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Pinhole: thanks - it’s good to be back. And I googled it: Barrow is about 200 miles northwest of Deadhorse.
December 18th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
He’s so cuuuuute! And as for the noon pic- I finally understand why blue is considered a Christmas color.
December 18th, 2007 at 6:52 pm
He is cute, isn’t he? I’m just glad he decided to sit still and pose for me - made my job easier.
December 18th, 2007 at 7:38 pm
I will show these picts to the kids! great shots! and the little guy is beautiful! I am heading over to see your other photos now…thanks for sharing
December 19th, 2007 at 9:06 am
Good to see you, silken! Glad you like the pics, and you don’t have to freeze to see what it’s like up there.
December 22nd, 2007 at 6:19 pm
right on! my daughter wants to know if you can keep foxes like that as a pet? why was this one so “tame” (walking right up to you)?
December 23rd, 2007 at 2:42 pm
They’re a protected species, I think, so keeping one would be out of the question. However, they’re pretty used to people, so they seem to have lost their fear of us. Not necessarily a good thing, perhaps.
December 26th, 2007 at 10:21 am
That is an awesome picture! They are so pretty all white.
Your surroundings look very similar to mine, I am in the barren wastelands of the Idaho/Wyoming border. :p
December 26th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Nice to meet you, O.B., and I’m glad you like the pics! You’ve probably got a bit more snow than we do - Alaska’s snow rations this year have been skimpy.
December 26th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
Yes, I am buried safely in my winter bunker now…with about 4 feet of snow overhead. I could mail you some if you need more!