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by moose henderson on Sun Sep 26, 2010 1:45 am
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Some may have noticed, my charming wit and abrasive style has been absent for the last quarter; some may remember that I started my Russian photographic expedition in June. This expedition has been in the planning stages for six years. My plan for the next five years is to spend one year in each of the following areas of Russia: Muraviovka Park (Amur Region, Far East Russia), Yakutia (home of Yakutian Ponies, Reindeer, Moose and Siberian Cranes-known as coldest inhabited place on earth), Kamchatka (land of Fire and Volcanoes plus bears and Stellar Eagles), Primorski Region (home of Siberian Tigers, Bears and other creatures) and Lake Baikal (deepest fresh water lake with most volume, home of Baikal Freshwater Seals, etc); I plan to issue a book for each year’s journey. I am roughly three months into the first year at Muraviovka Park. I wanted to spend a year in each area to get a feel for the region and try to document the changes throughout the seasons in each area.

I will not bore you with the day to day details of my expedition; if you wish to see some of my images, send me a PM or email and I will add you to my newsletter email list. I had planned to keep a blog online but internet speeds are to slow to upload a blog. Therefore, I send out a PDF newsletter; not “earth shattering-mind bending” awesome photographs but just a recording of the photographic events of the past couple weeks.

I believe, some day, Russia will be a place that thousands of photographers flock just as we currently go to Galapagos Islands, Falklands, Africa, Costa Rica, et al... I hope, that is some small way, I can help forge a path for others to follow. I know that some are going to Kamchatka and some to Western Russia; but this is a vast country with many many national wonders; most of it closed or very difficult to access.

I first started coming to the Russian Federation in 2004. It is a vast country with many regulations and requirements. After the Moscow subway bombings, things have radically changed. What appeared (from 2004-2009) to be a vast pile of regulations has multiplied logarithmically. Now, if are a foreigner has a one-year multiple entry visa; you are required to leave the country every 90 days and re-enter. Many times, you are not permitted to re-enter for another 90 days.

For the first two months of my expedition, I was sure my trip would end after the first quarter. I just do not have the money to leave the country every 90 days; especially if I must remain outside the borders for an additional 90 days. In addition, if I am allowed to go to Yakutia; it will be nearly impossible to leave because during winter-there is no plane service in Yakutia-it is to cold for planes to land in this desolate tundra.

I am pleased to say, because of the efforts of my hosts at Muraviovka Park and permission by the Governor General of Immigration Affairs (not sure of his exact title); I have been granted permission to remain in Russia for this year, without leaving.

This coming Friday, October 1, I have an opening titled “North American Wildlife” at the Amur Regional Natural History Museum. The list of invited dignitaries and confirmed journalist is staggering. I would not be surprised if The Honorable Vladimir Putin came to the ceremony (okay, that is a bit of a stretch but you get the idea). I have not owned a suit in 40 years-had to get one the other day.

Photography is difficult here because of the lack of transportation, security concerns, difficult terrain, etc. If you walk four hours to photography a flock of Cranes (with 600mm, camera, tripod, backup camera, etc); settle-in with hopeful expectation, then a pop or loud bang causes all birds to vacate, you have a return trip of four hours without images. But the advantages of taking photographs every single day, day in and day out, is difficult to measure. My understanding and intuitive sense of exposure levels, flash levels, camera controls and light direction has rocketed beyond my expectations. Before I came this year, I was primarily a mammal/bird photographer; now I photograph butterflies, landscapes, small birds, insects, macro, etc.

In closing, thanks to all on NSN for the years of support and friendship. I truly miss the day to day conversations and threads on NSN. Internet is so slow here that it is pretty much useless to try to log on; most times. Please feel free to ask any questions related to Russia; I will try to log-in daily for the next week and respond to this thread.
moose henderson
Wildlife and Nature Photography
Website: http://www.moosehenderson.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/moosehendersonphoto/
 

by siddu999 on Sun Sep 26, 2010 7:27 am
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Good to hear from you John. I am sure your show is going to be fantastic. Good luck with your project .

-Sid
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[b]Siddhardha Garige[/b]
[url]http://www.luminepixels.com[/url]
 

by moose henderson on Sun Sep 26, 2010 5:44 pm
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Thanks Sidd, hope all is well with you.
moose henderson
Wildlife and Nature Photography
Website: http://www.moosehenderson.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/moosehendersonphoto/
 

by Jim Neely on Sun Sep 26, 2010 7:08 pm
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Good luck, John.

jn
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jim(at)jneely.net [url=http://www.jneely.net]Jim Neely Nature Photography[/url]
 

by LHays on Sun Sep 26, 2010 7:39 pm
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John
Good luck....and congrats with the work. Please add me to your email list....I'd love to hear of your trials, tribulations, and travels. And what I'd like to see most.....is an image of you in a suit. In my wildest imagination.....I don't think I can picture that.
Lana Hays
NSN 0040
[url]http://www.lanahays.com/[/url]
 

by moose henderson on Sun Sep 26, 2010 9:08 pm
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You are the third to request such an image (me in a suit), Lana. As I told them, ain't happening. At least I wear long pants now, to freaking cold for my usual shorts. During the summer, to many mosquitoes for shorts, also.

The museum issued a demo brochure for my approval for the exhibit; they put a pic of me on the front cover (the one Chas took of me in Homer wearing my usual photo garb; I reject this-don't want to see my mug on anything.
moose henderson
Wildlife and Nature Photography
Website: http://www.moosehenderson.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/moosehendersonphoto/
 

by Carol Clarke on Mon Sep 27, 2010 10:12 am
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Good luck and safe travels in all you do John. I admire your grit and determination!

Please add me to your list for updates, I will be most interested in where you go and what you see.
Carol Clarke
Chief Forum Administrator.


"When the power of love is greater than the love of power,
the world will know peace"....Jimi Hendrix.

NSN0067
 

by George DeCamp on Mon Sep 27, 2010 10:56 am
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Hey John!

Nice to hear all is well. Please give us an update on how the show went for you, All the best!!!

George
 

by ebkw on Mon Sep 27, 2010 3:41 pm
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Hello John,

Wonderful to hear that you and your work is being recognized! Please add me to your newsletter list!
keewellman@gmail.com

I hope all goes as smoothly as possible for you!

Eleanor
Eleanor Kee Wellman, eleanorkeewellman.com, Blog at: keewellman.wordpress.com
 

by Joseph Martines on Mon Sep 27, 2010 8:51 pm
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I would like to be added to your eMail list.

martines34@roadrunner.com
 

by Peregrine on Thu Sep 30, 2010 3:05 pm
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please add me as well pluvius@hotmail.co.uk thanks
I have links to over 400 Bird Photographers from around the World at the following link
http://www.peregrinesbirdblog.blogspot.com
 

by Tim Grams on Sun Oct 03, 2010 11:48 pm
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Thanks for the update John- it sounds very, very interesting! Please add me to your newletter list also- tgrams@acsalaska.net
Tim
http://timgramsphotography.com
 

by Ron Niebrugge on Mon Oct 04, 2010 6:23 pm
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Great to hear you are doing well John and thanks for the update, it does sound fascinating. Good luck!

Ron
 

by Alexandre Vaz on Tue Oct 05, 2010 3:44 pm
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Keep us posted. I want a copy of your books, ok?

Best

alex
 

by moose henderson on Tue Oct 05, 2010 4:33 pm
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Alex

DA!
moose henderson
Wildlife and Nature Photography
Website: http://www.moosehenderson.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/moosehendersonphoto/
 

by Christopher Dodds on Wed Oct 06, 2010 6:17 am
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Good luck on your adventure, John. Can't wait to see the books!
[url=http://naturephotographyblog.squarespace.com/workshops/]WORKSHOPS[/url] [url=http://www.naturephotographyblog.com/]BLOG[/url] [url=http://www.facebook.com/chrisdoddsphoto]FACEBOOK[/url]
 

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