Peak Photographics.

Crab

2010-07-09T18:00:00.002+01:00

More crabs. They were all over so much of the coastline we saw.

Nazca Boobie

2010-07-08T18:00:00.002+01:00

Yet another Boobie today, the Nazca variety this time. Again, similar to our Gannet in the UK.

Albatross

2010-07-07T18:00:00.001+01:00

This guy is called the Waved Albatross because of that lovely pattern on his chest - terrific!

Galapagos Dove

2010-07-06T18:00:00.002+01:00

Darwin noted that he could catch these guys for his pot by throwing his hat at them. The wildlife is so tame that you could probably do the same with most species in the Galapagos - providing you had a big enough hat!

More Boobies

2010-07-05T18:00:00.002+01:00

Another Blue-footed Boobie, probably the birds we saw the most of but we never tired them - such characters!

Tortuga!

2010-07-04T17:17:00.001+01:00

Apologies for the break in blogs - I have been busy on a quick camping trip and I am now set up in Switzerland for the next month.

We were lucky enough to swim with these guys a couple of times - what a treat!

Life's a beach

2010-06-25T18:00:00.002+01:00

We were lucky enough to share a beach for a morning with Sea Lions. This guy was quite relaxed!

Half a crab

2010-06-24T18:00:00.006+01:00

We often met these guys on the beach. Incredible bright colours!

Boobie dance

2010-06-22T18:00:00.002+01:00

It was the time of year for the Boobies to be starting their mating rituals. This male (foreground) was trying his best to impress his chosen lady. I have no idea if he was successful but she looks fairly interested here!

How cute!

2010-06-21T18:00:00.001+01:00

We saw plenty of these Sea Lions both in and out of the water. They spent a lot of time relaxing - not a bad life!

Because they're worth it!

2010-06-20T18:00:00.001+01:00

The giant tortoises (like so many animals) are a wonder to behold. This guy was living a blissfull life at the Darwin centre but we saw others in the wild and it is hard to believe they really exist!

On the wing

2010-06-19T18:00:00.008+01:00

We also had our first look at the Boobies on the same walk as we saw the Frigate bird above. More photos to come of their incredible blue feet, but this shot shows just how like our Gannets they are.

Welcome to wonderland!

2010-06-18T18:00:00.003+01:00

And here we are - within the first few yards of our first walk on the Galapagos and this guy was there to greet us. Incredibly, it's not so much the chest that impresses the lady Frigate birds, it's location location location - where he builds his nest counts!
I couldn't help feeling sorry for this guy - all that trouble with the big red chest but his nest was not good real estate and he was all alone.

Just one more

2010-06-17T18:00:00.002+01:00

One more before we head off to the Galapagos. This guy was walking across a path in the jungle. His shell was on its side as if somebody had blown him over!

Capuccin encore

2010-06-16T20:00:00.001+01:00

We shall head off to the Galapagos soon, but here is one more look at a Capuccin monkey - how cute!

Wild? They were livid!

2010-06-15T18:00:00.005+01:00

More butterfly pictures to come from the butterfly farm in the cloud forest, but these guys were out there fending for themselves in the big bad jungle.

Caiman island!

2010-06-14T18:00:00.012+01:00

We went out in the canoe at night to hunt for Caiman (crocadilians). We saw a quite few of them hanging around - very impressive!

Who goes there?

2010-06-13T18:00:00.057+01:00

We climbed up to a tower at the top of the canopy and met these two (presumably parent and child) peeking out of a hole in a limb which was clearly their front door!

Here they come...

2010-06-12T18:00:00.004+01:00

These guys were terriffic - Cappucin monkeys. One of them was far away enough to jump up and down on a branch and shake a palm leaf at us to prove how tough he was!

In much better song!

2010-06-11T18:00:00.002+01:00

Just incase yesterday's parrot left you grieving; he had plenty friends and they were in fine form and fine song. Here are a few of them enjoying themselves at another clay lick!

This....is a dead parrot!

2010-06-10T18:00:00.002+01:00

We were waiting for the parrots to makke the brave move from the trees to the clay lick. They eat clay for breakfast every day to help with their digestion. They all flew away suddenly and our guide got very excited. He had been looking through the binoculars and saw this Boa constrictor grab one of the parrots.
We then went in closer (the other parrots weren't coming back!) and saw him doing his best to scoff the parrot. I would love to know how he got back on the branch after this meal!

Tiger Heron

2010-06-09T18:00:00.002+01:00

We met this guy when cruising up to Napo lodge in our canoe. He was enjoying the fine weather as much as we were!

Ecuador and the Galapagos

2010-06-08T21:58:00.002+01:00

We have made it home in one piece from our trip to South America. We were amazed at the amount and variety of life we saw in the Amazonian basin, Galapagos and Cloud forest. To start off, here is a picture of Louise and our guide fending off a rare attack by a poncho seller in the old town of Quito, the capital of Ecuador.

There are more photographs to follow. I think this time I will try to post one a day of various sightings of the trip over the next few weeks.

Jamie

Col de Four

2010-04-28T14:02:00.004+01:00

I had a wonderful tour up to the Col de Four with Andreas (Alpine experience) today. We found some perfect spring snow and were able to ski next to some huge avalanches as the triggering process is different for spring snow than winter.
Andreas also showed me a nice new route which I have never done before - it should provide lots of lovely new routes to ski next season - thanks for that!

2010-04-21T09:15:00.001+01:00

I am very excited to be the official photographer at Henry and Ginny's wedding this summer. I went out for a cruise with them yesterday to take some shots for the table settings at the big event!

Almost finished!

2010-04-14T13:37:00.001+01:00

Another season is almost over but it is incredible how much snow is still in the many couloirs around Val d'Isere. We did some hiking with big skis yesterday and were rewarded with some excellent skiing.

Securité shoot

2010-03-16T10:30:00.003Z

I went out for a few hours with Fab the pisteur to get some shots of their Patagonia® gear. It's amazing the difference a tiny bit of haze can make to a nice view!

I also tried a bit of enthusiatsic photoshopping. I am not perfectly happy with the outcome but it is a thought for the future!

Bormio

2010-03-05T11:06:00.004Z

I had a lovely trip to Bormio to do some avalanche training at the ski test. We had a nice blast around with the guys from Storm skis. The snow was not perfect but the only tracks we had to avoid were our own - nice!

A tour towards the Sana

2010-02-22T21:34:00.002Z

Carlsberg don't do picnic spots...

Les Arcs

2010-02-09T20:43:00.005Z

We had a wonderful trip to Les Arcs with my parents. An incredible spot with what must be some of the best views in and of the Alps (and therefore the world in my view!)

A perfect day's skiing was topped off wonderfully with a fantastic apres set by Mike and Ritchie!

December and January

2010-02-06T15:06:00.003Z

Unbelievable, almost half way through the season already! As ever, it feels like we are just getting going. Here are quite a few of the pictures I have taken this season!

Click here for the hd version.

Soundtrack: Happy New Year by Camera Obscura

More new skis

2010-02-02T13:54:00.004Z

I have treated myself to a fantastic new pair of skis. Thanks to the guys at Noble custom I am now the owner of a massive pair of Movement Goliaths. They are big, fat, have one speed setting (fast) and prefer to be pointing down a steep hill! Check out how big they are compared to the skier above!

Chamonix!

2010-01-31T22:10:00.006Z

Louise and I are just back from a wonderful trip to Cham. We met up with Oyvind (an old friend of mine who I haven't seen for years) and his friend Andreas. They were great company and great fun to ski with. The snow was lovely and we were super lucky with the weather, but the cold was unbelievable at times . We had to warn each other as our noses and cheeks went white with the first signs of frost bite!

The bad news is that my 18-200mm lens is on the blink, to be expected though if I keep skiing around with these things strapped to my waist! If only my lens could recover as well as Oyvind does in the last photo on this blog!

The fabulous Fab!

2010-01-26T20:05:00.006Z

I spent this morning skiing with Fab. Fab is a local pisteur and Recco expert, he is a great guy to ski with. Having rescued many a punter who has made a wrong move, he does everything possible to make sure he makes the right ones!

Recco is a fantastic system which really helps Fab speed up an organised rescue but should never be seen as a substitute for transceiver, shovel and probe pole.

Owen (again!)

2010-01-24T17:42:00.000Z

My recent Owen blog has caused something of a hoo-ha. Not on any global scale you understand, purely in one man's head - Owen's!

I felt it was time I exposed the truth, so if you are reading this on Owen's recommendation, please be aware that these photos are a more realistic representation of what usually goes on!

Dan the man!

2010-01-21T19:22:00.002Z

We had a lovely day skiing with some friends who are out on holiday. Dan pulled out all the stops to make it to the top of two hikes - his enthusiasm in the bar the night before were not helping matters!

Snow polo!

2010-01-18T19:56:00.001Z

So Courcheval, you think you are posher than us? Well we've even got polo matches over here in Val d'Isere!

Actually, ignorant as I am to the game of polo - it was a good game to watch, but I couldn't find the pie and Bovril stand at half time!

New skis

2010-01-14T15:16:00.003Z

Louise has treated herself to a new pair of Black Crows skis. She can't believe how good they are in all conditions and she certainly looks to be skiing very well on them. They also have funky bases which look cool in photographs!

Pisteurs' couloir (again!)

2010-01-11T21:56:00.007Z

Once again, we hiked up to Pisteur's couloir to be rewarded with some lovely skiing. We didn't even have to side step the top section, we could turn the whole way down! Once we got on to the open face it was a joy - only 2 tracks layed before us, letting us put in some nice big turns.

After that it was a Face de Charvet and off to Fornet. It is amazing how quickly the slopes get skied out on a blue sky day.

My first ski with Owen

2010-01-10T16:30:00.005Z

Incredibly, today was the first time this season I have skied with Owen. I have never met anybody who loves a photo of themselves quite as much as this guy! Works for me though, I can tell him that a cliff drop would make a nice picture and off he goes!

Blue skies (at last!)

2010-01-06T21:59:00.013Z

We have finally had a let up in the cloudy weather and been treated to a bluebird day. We had a lovely day cruising around with some of the guys from the Danois (a bar in town).
We had to be super careful though - that weak layer is still there - for more info check out www.henrysavalanchetalk.com.

Christmas cheer!

2009-12-25T21:48:00.008Z

What a fantastic Christmas!
We have had arguments over Cluedo (Royle family eat your heart out), a wonderful Christmas dinner - enjoyed after working up an appetite by sledging like pros!

Planks shoot

2009-12-24T16:27:00.007Z

I went out for a blast around with Sam Speed from Planks clothing this morning.
The avalanche danger was super high - even the old timer guides were rubbing their chins trying to think of somewhere safe to ski! We stuck to the trees and managed to find some nice enough snow but it wasn't the steep and deep we were hoping for!

15th December slideshow

2009-12-15T22:00:00.001Z

My first attempt at a video blog! Here is a slideshow of today's antics around Mt Roupe

An Alpine Experience!

2009-12-15T21:34:00.011Z

I had a wonderful tour of Mt Roupe today with Chris and Wayne of Alpine Experience.

The photo above is a 360 panorama from the top, the others are cruising the piste, trekking up and enjoying the many lovely pitches Chris led us to on the way down!

Storm shoot

2009-12-05T22:00:00.005Z

We have had Finn and Niall from Storm skis in Val d'Isere for a photo shoot. The light was not great for pictures, but we had a blast all the same!

Perfect conditions

2009-12-03T21:32:00.001Z

We have had a blast the last few days with Wilkie and Ritchie from Surefoot. The pistes have been in fantastic condition and the powder has been thigh deep - who could ask for more?

Val d'Isere

2009-12-01T14:13:00.005Z

We are in Val d'Isere, the lifts are going up and the snow is coming down - who could ask for more?

I took this shot for Surefoot at the top of the motte on Saturday (before the snow started falling). Tomorrow is forecast to be blue skies and we will be out all day with Niall and Finn from Storm skis - Can't wait!

Sequence dilema

2009-10-29T19:01:00.005Z

Sequence shots were quite tough here because the skiers weren't travelling very far so the shots tend to overlap. I think this works better than every second shot though. Perhaps I should have turned my camera down to 5 fps or so?

Join the Line

2009-10-29T19:00:00.000Z

More from the Metro ski and snowboard show 2009

Ski show

2009-10-29T18:58:00.001Z

As promised, some photos of the ski show. I love the way this boarder looks so insignificant in such an impressive hall.

HP

2009-10-27T23:13:00.001Z

The houses of parliament. This is two 30 second exposure shots stitched together. If you look closely you can see the pile of expenses forms!

Honestly, it's like Picadilly Circus!

2009-10-27T23:10:00.002Z

Another shot from my trip to London.
Why I didn't move to the right to put Eros in the middle of the buildings is anybody's guess!

The shape of things to come?

2009-10-26T21:58:00.002Z

Well I am back from the big smoke. I spent most of my time at the ski show (photos to follow). I therefore missed all the fun with Nick Griffin on QT. I did take this picture though to highlight my fear of what may lay ahead.

Big smoke

2009-10-21T16:30:00.002+01:00

I am in london for the ski show. It is quite a contrast to the peace and quiet I am used to! I was standing on a broken escalator taking a photo and a helpful local told me it wasn't working. I must look like such a punter that he thought I had been standing there for hours waiting to arrive at the bottom!

The summit!

2009-10-18T12:01:00.001+01:00

Bike run

2009-10-18T09:58:00.001+01:00

Test

2009-10-10T23:30:00.001+01:00

I have a new phone, just checking if I can blog from it!

Happy campers!

2009-10-10T23:08:00.005+01:00

2 friends of mine got married recently (to each other as it happened!)

They are lucky enough to own a VW camper, which is their pride and joy and as such was of course the wedding car. What a marvellous idea, if only it was a Type 2!
Happy trails to Euan and Carrie!

Triple front

2009-09-29T07:08:00.002+01:00

After a while of either working or cycling, I finally managed to get back behind the lens.

I took the camera to the gym I used to train at. Exposure is difficult with the indoor lighting, Imay return to try again - didn't get the shots I was after.

For now, here is a sequence of a triple front somersault

Day 26, our final day! 22nd June 2009

2009-07-21T20:37:00.002+01:00

This Yellow billed hornbill was so interested in our food at a picnic spot in the Kruger, I managed to get an interesting macro shot of his eye!

As you can see, it was quite a trip and not one either of us are likely to forget in a hurry!

I hope you enjoyed the blog diary

Jamie.