my_daroga: Mucha's "Dance" (self)
my_daroga ([personal profile] my_daroga) wrote2008-12-21 10:46 am

Photos: Denali National Park and Preserve (day four)

The only motorized vehicles allowed in Denali are buses that take tourists partway into the park, to a nice (and new) visitor center with a lovely view of the mountain. Which is really, really big. Interestingly, though I'd always heard it called Mount McKinley, the local name is Denali and I heard that used more often while I was there. Since the McKinley moniker was stuck on there for political reasons, this seems a rational choice as far as I'm concerned.

The bus trip is described here. The photos from said trip are below. I strongly urge anyone who can to make this trip someday; it's breathtaking, even if my photos don't do it justice.

another view

savage river

dawn
The bus left very early.

ptarmigan
Ptarmigan! Almost all of these photos were taking from the bus windows with limited zooming power. Hence the lack of interesting angles.

observant
This guy had been on the trip before, and had a badass camera. He woke up for the sightings.



denali/mckinley

the view
I don't think this is a great picture, but I like it. And it is representative of the day.

denali/mckinley
It's... sort of hard to stop staring at it. And taking pictures.

planetside
And this just reminds me of Mars. Not that I've been there. Next summer, maybe.

scoot!
I realize this is gross. But when I see things like this sitting on the table, I have to capture it.

horned god
No. I don't even know. That's my sis-in-law's hand, by the way.

no hiking

observed
Who can resist the blurry emo shot?

patriotic
...or some healthy flag-waving?


Most of the animals were close enough to say "ooh, look!" but too far to get good shots without a serious lens. So you're getting the best I got. Marred by the reflection in the upper right.

walk away

rooting

[identity profile] timbershiver.livejournal.com 2008-12-21 07:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Wow, these are gorgeous!

[identity profile] a2zmom.livejournal.com 2008-12-21 08:48 pm (UTC)(link)
So different than where I live.Just majestic and imposing.

[identity profile] filmnoir6.livejournal.com 2008-12-22 02:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Awesome pics, Ms. D! :)