Polar regions
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The Lone Iceberg
A lone iceberg floats in the calm of a Norwegian Fiord. This image was taken during our Arctic Expedition on the MS Expedition in 2010. We spent a glorious 10 nights exploring the fiords and seas of Svalbard, Spitsbergen and Greenland. We encountered many huge icebergs, but this wee one caught my eye. It’s stark contrast and clarity against the blue waters diverted my attention from the stunning scenery we were sailing though. It’s stillness coveys the silence of the Arctic and the remote and rugged beauty of the polar regions. We really must do everything we can to protect the Arctic.
Do your bit – email Obama and help protect the Arctic
Shell has abandoned its plans to drill for oil in the Arctic waters off the coast of Alaska in 2013.
It’s big news. But just the start of something bigger. Now it’s time for President Obama to abandon the idea of Arctic drilling completely and declare the Arctic ‘off limits’ to industrial exploitation, forever.
Shell was supposed to be the best of the best, but the long list of mishaps and near-disasters from the company’s failed attempt to drill in the Arctic last summer is a clear indication even the ‘best’ companies can’t succeed in Arctic drilling.
President Obama and his administration gave Arctic drilling a chance and Shell proved that it isn’t possible. It’s time we kick our addiction to fossil fuels and deal with global warming decisively. That starts today and it starts with leadership from President Obama.
Do your bit and sign the Greenpeace petition today.
http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/en/take-action/Online-actions/obama-arctic-drilling/
View Post Posted at 7pm on 04/24/13 by Marie Knock | no comments | In: Arctic, News, Polar regions, Travels -
Mother nature puts on one heck of a show
Some of the most incredible sunsets we have seen have been in the Arctic.
On a clear night, when looking out across the dark, calm seas you can see the curvature of the earth on the horizon whilst mother nature puts on one heck of a show. Vivid reds, yellows and oranges are mingled together across a cloudless and still sky. Standing on the bridge of the ship you can almost convince yourself you are the only one witnessing this. It reminded me of a Rothko painting – so by panning the camera right to left whilst taking the shot I decide to create my own sky art. I hope you like it.
This picture is the last in this week’s celebration of sunrises and sunsets here on www.tarajiblue.com I hope you’ve enjoyed it. We welcome any comments and feedback.
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View Post Posted at 1pm on 04/21/13 by Marie Knock | no comments | In: Arctic, News, Polar regions, Travels -
The Perfect Sunset
This week on Taraji Blue we’re recalling and celebrating our favourite sunrises and sunsets.
It was taken in the Maasai Mara a few years back on a return trip we’d longed to take. It captures the rising sun through the silhouette of a tree and symbolises not only the awakening of the bush, but the way Africa awakens my soul every time we visit. To me, it captures the essence of the bush and symbolises the hope of the day ahead. I have it blown up in my living room at home in the UK and it never fails to raise a smile from me, and plays havoc with my wanderlust to return to Africa.
This photo is a continuation of a week where we celebrate our favourite sunrises and sunsets. If you like this picture, please feel free to share using the social media links provided below.
For more images, visit the Taraji Blue photo gallery.
You can also show your support for Taraji Blue by liking us on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/tarajiblue following us on twitter https://twitter.com/TarajiBlue and connecting with Alistair and myself on Google+
View Post Posted at 7pm on 04/17/13 by Marie Knock | no comments | In: Africa, Kenya, News, Polar regions, Travels -
A perfect cocktail of sea and sunset
This post kick starts a week of sunsets and sunrises here on Taraji Blue. This is the Drake Passage – one of the most feared sections of water in the world. It’s renown for its rough waters and difficult crossings, but on this beautiful night I could not resist heading out onto the ship’s deck, clutching the railing and watching a stunning sunset reflect in the waves of the turbulent waters.
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For more images, visit the Taraji Blue photo gallery.
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Bumping into an old friend
Whilst visiting the Arctic in 2010 we were incredibly lucky to see this Blue Whale off the bow of the ship. It is a rare sighting – confirmed as such by the excited squeals and announcements by our crew on the ship’s tannoy. At that evening’s lecture we reflected on the sighting and the crew described it as being as rare as bumping into an old friend out here in the middle of the ocean.
The crew informed that the whale was likely 70 feet long. It was immense. We stayed with the whale for about 15 minutes, watching him blow and swim along until he submerged. This was on route to 80 degrees north – a milestone reached over dinner that night. It was an incredible day.
If you like this picture, please feel free to share using the social media links provided below.
This image is the last in this week’s “Arctic” theme here on Taraji Blue. But there are plenty more where this came from. For more of our images from the Arctic, please visit the Taraji Blue Arctic photo gallery.
You can also show your support for Taraji Blue by liking us on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/tarajiblue following us on twitter https://twitter.com/TarajiBlue and connecting with Alistair and myself on Google+
View Post Posted at 11am on 04/14/13 by Marie Knock | no comments | In: Arctic, News, Polar regions, Travels
