I took a direct flight from Juneau to Anchorage (just about 90 mins) on Alaska Airlines and rented a car. The drive from Anchorage to Valdez is about 5 1/2 hours one way so I decided to overnight in Anchorage and then head to Valdez the next morning.

Before getting on the road in the early hours, I grabbed a coffee and breakfast in Eagle Creek and started along the AK-1 highway. As predicted (from reading many other blogs), the views were spectacular. If you have someone who is willing to go with you and split the driving, I would highly recommend. Not because the drive is so long but because the views are so great that you will not want to be focused on the road.

Mary ParkhillDecember 23, 2024Comment

Why I Love Living in Auke Bay, Alaska | Juneau, Alaska

Mary ParkhillJanuary 3, 2024Comment

How to be inspired - Photographer edition: 10 ideas to get you unstuck

Every so often, I find myself in a place where I’m not hitting on all cylinders or everything feels monotonous and tiresome. Some people call it a ‘creative slump’. For me, the range of emotions that come with this peculiar downturn starts with frustration, carries through to irritation and ends with helplessness. Nothing feels inspiring and when you look around at the world, it feels as if everyone else is thriving when you’re just trying to survive. How do I find my mojo again? Will I ever find my mojo?

Mary ParkhillOctober 27, 2022Comment

Autumn in Alaska - changing leaves and a shifting perspective

As the cooler air arrives in Juneau, Alaska, I can sense the urgency of the sun setting. Each day the darkness lingers a bit longer, the sunshine feels less intense and the wildlife seems to know winter is coming.

Unlike the east coast, the tree leaf colors tend to be yellow instead of the brilliant reds and oranges. The boats in the harbor have slowed down, many of them will stay put for the rest of the season instead of cruising back and forth. The cruise ships and tourists have slowed and the seasonal restaurants are now closed.

Mary ParkhillOctober 7, 2022Comment

4 Considerations for Photographing Eagles During the Winter in Juneau, Alaska

How Snow Impacts Photographing Eagles - In my opinion, photographing eagles during the winter is harder than the summer and here’s why. The Bald Eagle has a white head, which makes it harder for my camera to focus on against a white, snowy backdrop. There’s also less light during these months. Not only are the days shorter in length (right now I believe the sunrise is around 8:30 am and the sunset is around 3:00 pm) but the amount of light that is available throughout the daytime is often hidden amidst swirling snowflakes and clouds.

Mary ParkhillDecember 4, 2021Comment

3 Places for Drone Photography in Juneau Alaska

Mary ParkhillNovember 30, 2021Comment

The Story Behind the Moody Orca

AlaskaMary ParkhillNovember 2, 2021Mary's Mark PhotographyOrca, PhotographyComment

Alaska Photography Tips | Photographing Orcas in Southeast Alaska

It is always exciting to see Orcas while cruising through the waters of Southeast Alaska. Since they move so quickly and the lighting isn’t always the best, I thought I’d share my top 3 pieces of advice for photographing Orcas.

Mary ParkhillJuly 12, 2021Comment

Alaska Photography Tours | DIY Juneau, Alaska

Mary ParkhillMarch 16, 2021Mary's Mark PhotographyComment

Alaska Eagle Photography | 4 places to photograph eagles in Juneau, Alaska

If you have visited Juneau, Alaska, then you have probably spotted a few Bald Eagles flying overhead or sitting on lamp posts and have heard their distinctive cries. Their massive wing spans, powerful jaws and impressive talons all add to this bird’s allure.

Mary ParkhillJanuary 10, 2020Mary's Mark PhotographyComment

Humpback Whale Breaching in Juneau, Alaska | Wildlife Photography

One of the biggest surprises of my life has been how much I have enjoyed photographing Humpback whales. Going into my summer in Juneau, Alaska, my goal was to capture landscape photographs. However, when I was spending time on the water fishing for halibut and salmon, I started noticing humpback whales coming up for air and found myself gazing at them until they showed their flukes and dived to the depths of the ocean. These gentle giants grabbed my heart and ever since, I have been hooked trying to photograph them in an effort to tell their story.

Mary ParkhillAugust 5, 2019 Comments

Alaska Photography Tips | Photographing Wildlife and Landscapes in Southeast Alaska

There’s so much to see, do, experience and photograph in Alaska! Over the last decade, I have been visiting this great state (mainly throughout Southeast Alaska) and have learned a few things from a photography standpoint that I would love to share with you!

Mary ParkhillJune 25, 2019Mary's Mark PhotographyComment

Best Way To Carry DSLR While Traveling | Mary's Mark Photography

Over the last few years, I’ve had the opportunity to travel to quite a few locations in search for awe-inspiring photographs. I’ve managed to explore Singapore, Hong Kong, Sweden, Italy, Germany, Alaska and a few other places. As a landscape photographer, its tough to find the right balance of camera equipment to take while still remaining flexible and mobile. It’s a mental dance that I do each time I pack for a trip.

Mary ParkhillJune 5, 2019Comment

Best Photography Locations in Alaska

Mary ParkhillMay 20, 2019AlaskaComment

Best Places for Landscape Photography

LandscapesMary ParkhillMay 19, 2019Comment