A Giant Retreats

Gallery: LandscapePosted January 7, 2010152 views5 comments

As with many glaciers, due to the warming climate, Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska is retreating (when annual rate of melt exceeds annual total accumulation) and has been consistently since the 1950s. Mendenhall lake has a high silt content due to the rock flour that is produced when a glacier’s movement pulverizes and scours the landscape. As well as learning some interesting facts about glaciology, this area is actually quite good for observing wildlife. Mountain goats, black bears, porcupines, salmon and arctic terns are all present.

Thank you for viewing and any comments.

Also thanks to all for your inspirational photographs over the past year.

Comments

5 comments

Comment posted by Andreas Resch on January 7, 2010 at 12:29 PM

It's sad that the glaciers melt so fast - here in Austria as well. I like how the glacier peers from behind that slope. The shot gives a good sense of the place there.

Registered on November 14, 2007, 322 Posts, 6101 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Sieren on January 7, 2010 at 1:54 PM

You photo with the ice river symbolizes the low supply of glaciers with the almost empty peak in the background. Maybe we will get a chance to see the beginning of an ice age in our lifetime?

Registered on January 2, 2008, 360 Posts, 5321 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Cunliffe on January 7, 2010 at 4:39 PM

I wonder whether you could bring out a bit more detail in the distant forested slope. Perhaps this image was a candidatte for some gentle HDR?

Registered on May 25, 2009, 62 Posts, 202 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on January 8, 2010 at 5:39 PM

Darren,

Certainly an interesting viewpoint how the glacier is kinda hiding between the two mountain ridges. The glacier almost seems out of it's element with the close proximity to all the trees. Technically, my only suggestion would be to slightly dodge the mountain side a little bit as it seems a little on the dark side relative to the amount of light overall on the scene. A bit on the documentary side, but still a nice image.

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Kent Mearig on January 9, 2010 at 7:58 PM

My favorite place in the natural world. It always looks inviting.

Registered on September 4, 2006, 237 Posts, 4748 Comments