Editorial and Travel Photographer Susan Seubert in Antarctica

Greetings!  I just returned from just over 3 weeks in Antarctica and it was yet another epic adventure spent as the National Geographic Photography Expert on board the National Geographic Explorer expedition ship.  The thing that is extremely difficult to express, in words or pictures, is the scale of Antarctica.  It is truly vast.  Every place we visited felt enormous yet when seen on a map, appeared to be just a mere speck in the context of the peninsula.  We were greeted by humpback and killer whales, leopard seals and several species of penguins.  Iceberg A57a was quite a sight, as was cruising through Antarctic sound during a beautiful sunset and moon-rise.  Of course, nothing tells the story better than photographs, so I’ve included a few here for your enjoyment.  Thank you for visiting my blog!

The National Geographic Explorer parked at the dock in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world.

Iceberg A57a as seen from our ship.

A solitary Chinstrap penguin standing on a bergy bit in False Bay

A leopard seal hauled out on the ice in False Bay

Killer whales near Anderson Island

The beginning of an epic sunset in Antarctic Sound

The land of the midnight sun, dusk and a crescent moon in Antarctic Sound

An Adele penguin at Paulet Island

Pancake ice in Lindblad Cove

The ship parked and people kayaking in the ice at Lindblad Cove

 

Maui Editorial Photographer Shoots for National Geographic Traveller UK

“X Marks the Spot,” is the title of my most recently published feature about Maui.  I worked closely with travel writer and actor Andrew McCarthy to put together a story about this remote Pacific island for the UK edition of National Geographic Traveller Magazine.  Andrew used to have a place here and I still do, so we both know it well.  We were able to meet for lunch, (a luxury in the modern age of journalism), exchange ideas and hatch a plan to cover this beautiful place.

After we settled on our subjects, we parted ways and went to work.  The result?  An eloquent, accurate and pretty article about my favorite place on Earth.  You can read the article and see a few pictures online here. If you’re fortunate enough to live in the UK, you can pick the magazine up on newsstands now as it’s published in the November 2016 issue.

The opening page spread of Ka’anapali Beach at sunset

The art gallery in Keokea, Upcountry Maui, next door to my favorite breakfast spot, Grandma’s Coffee House

I love the colors the designer chose for this layout! Plus Yee’s Orchard is the best place for fresh mangoes on island.

The color palette for this layout is a result of the time of day – both of these places were photographed at sunset on west facing beaches.

Kahakuloa is one of my favorite places to visit as its location on the north shore is beautiful and the drive is much less popular than the road to Hana. Also, you can always count on getting warm banana nut bread at Julia’s.

Travel Photographer Susan Seubert shoots O’o Farm in Kula, Maui

Aloha from the beautiful island of Maui!  On Monday, we had the great pleasure of visiting O’o Farms located on the slopes of Haleakala in what is referred to as upcountry Maui.  The farm is located in the little town of Kula, just off of the main road and the property overlooks the valley and ocean.  O’o Farm is the only true farm-to-table operation on the island and for a nominal fee, one can visit the farm and learn about their coffee, vegetables and even pick the greens to be served for lunch!  It’s a nice way to spend the day in the cool, misty outdoors and an unexpected pleasure to experience fine dining in a unique island setting.  Below are some images from our visit that I hope you enjoy.  Mahalo for visiting and a hui ho!

O’o Farm in Kula, Maui, Hawaii, USA

Children get to feed the chickens at O’o Farm in Kula, Maui, Hawaii, USA

A delicious cappuccino made from coffee grown at O’o Farm in Kula, Maui, Hawaii, USA

O’o Farm in Kula, Maui, Hawaii, boasts gorgeous views from the gardens.

Visitors pick their own salad greens for lunch at O’o Farm in Kula, Maui, Hawaii, USA

The salad at O’o Farm in Kula, Maui, Hawaii, USA

Beautifully prepared tofu with root vegetables at O’o Farm in Kula, Maui, Hawaii, USA

Wood stored for the outdoor oven at O’o Farm in Kula, Maui, Hawaii, USA

Farm flowers decorate the lunch tables at O’o Farm in Kula, Maui, Hawaii, USA

Vanessa, one of the workers at O’o Farm in Kula, Maui, Hawaii, USA

Travel Photographer Susan Seubert shoots Road Trip to Round Up for Travel Oregon’s Instagram

Let ‘er buck!  That’s the phrase that rings throughout the small town of Pendleton, Oregon during the second full week of September where over 50,000 people descend to watch or participate in the Pendleton Round Up Rodeo.  This rodeo is unique in that since its inception in 1910 it has included a large Native American presence.  Over 300 tee pees are set up on the rodeo grounds where members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla gather to visit with one another and participate in displays of their culture.  One of my favorite events was the Indian Relay race where members of several tribes compete in a bareback horse race around the track.  It’s mind blowing to think that these athletes are able to ride at tremendous speed without the need for saddles, spurs or any of the other trappings of horse racing to which I am accustomed.  On the Saturday morning of the big rodeo weekend, the tribes invite the public to come down to the grass field of the stadium and watch as the tribal dance competitions take place.  There is drumming, singing and dancing where contestants are divided up by age and gender, then judged on their dancing skills.  Below are some of my favorite images from the 4 days that I covered just last weekend.  Enjoy and let ‘er buck!

Stock pens at the Pendleton Round Up, Pendleton, Oregon, USA

Louis Sweowat of the Yakima Tribe showing me a headdress at the Pendleton Round Up, Pendleton, Oregon, USA

The Grand Entry at the Pendleton Round Up Rodeo, Pendleton OR, USA

One of the classic rodeo events, the Saddle Bronc competition at the Pendleton Round Up Rodeo, Pendleton OR, USA

Over 300 tee pees are set up on the grounds at the Pendleton Round Up Rodeo, Pendleton OR, USA

one of the 700 cowboys who come to compete at the Pendleton Round Up Rodeo, Pendleton OR, USA

Riders in the “Indian Relay Race” at the Pendleton Round Up Rodeo, Pendleton OR, USA

The Native American or “Indian” Beauty Pageant at the Pendleton Round Up Rodeo, Pendleton OR, USA

Portland Oregon Travel Photographer Susan Seubert in South Georgia

It’s been a whirlwind of travel for the last few years.  Now, I’m officially bipolar, meaning that I have visited both extremes of the earth, both by virtue of traveling with National Geographic Expeditions.  The first trip was towards the North Pole in Svalbard, exploring the Norwegian archipelago by icebreaker.  Then, most recently, down to the Southern Ocean to the Antarctic Peninsula and the islands of South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.

South Georgia is one of the most incredible, and remote, places on the planet. During the turn of the last century, South Georgia was home to numerous natural resource extraction operations.  Animals were harvested to the point where a number of species, including whales, fur seals and penguins, were hunted to near extinction.  Since these operations were shut down during the 1960’s, a number of species have now recovered. Since South Georgia has a tiny human population, the animals are completely perplexed but not frightened by human presence.  For wildlife photography, it’s difficult to find a more interesting and beautiful place.

One of my images from South Georgia at a landing called Gold Harbour was used on one of the expedition program guide’s covers.  I’ll never forget this morning. We had gotten up before daybreak to catch the morning light and although we only had it for a few moments, we were able to capture a number of gorgeous images of the King penguins in the golden hour of dawn.

The Brochure Cover for National Geographic | Lindblad Expeditions South Georgia and the Falkland Islands

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Susan Seubert photographs Gay Pride Parade 2016

Today my husband and I went to Portland’s Gay Pride Parade.  Not only was it a beautiful day to be outside, I felt that, in the wake of the recent tragedy in Orlando, it was important to go and show our support for our LGBT community.  The mood was celebratory and full of messages of love and inclusion.  Here are some photos of today’s parade.

The Gay Pride Parade in downtown Portland, Oregon, celebrated in remembrance of the mass shooting at the Pulse Club in Orlando, Florida

The Gay Pride Parade in downtown Portland, Oregon, celebrated in remembrance of the mass shooting at the Pulse Club in Orlando, Florida

The Gay Pride Parade in downtown Portland, Oregon, celebrated in remembrance of the mass shooting at the Pulse Club in Orlando, Florida

The Portland Gay Men’s Choir march in the Gay Pride Parade in downtown Portland, Oregon celebrated in remembrance of the mass shooting at the Pulse Club in Orlando, Florida

The Gay Pride Parade in downtown Portland, Oregon celebrated in remembrance of the mass shooting at the Pulse Club in Orlando, Florida

Portland Timbers Fans at the Gay Pride Parade in downtown Portland, Oregon celebrated in remembrance of the mass shooting at the Pulse Club in Orlando, Florida

There were lots of hugs at the Gay Pride Parade in downtown Portland, Oregon, celebrated in remembrance of the mass shooting at the Pulse Club in Orlando, Florida

The Gay Pride Parade in downtown Portland, Oregon, celebrated in remembrance of the mass shooting at the Pulse Club in Orlando, Florida

The Portland Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence at the Gay Pride Parade in downtown Portland, Oregon, celebrated in remembrance of the mass shooting at the Pulse Club in Orlando, Florida

Even the Portland Fire Department were in the festivities at the Gay Pride Parade in downtown Portland, Oregon, celebrated in remembrance of the mass shooting at the Pulse Club in Orlando, Florida

The Gay Pride Parade in downtown Portland, Oregon, celebrated in remembrance of the mass shooting at the Pulse Club in Orlando, Florida

The Lovebomb Gogo Marching Band at the Gay Pride Parade in downtown Portland, Oregon, celebrated in remembrance of the mass shooting at the Pulse Club in Orlando, Florida

Families share the message of love at the Gay Pride Parade in downtown Portland, Oregon, celebrated in remembrance of the mass shooting at the Pulse Club in Orlando, Florida

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National Geographic Travel Photographer Susan Seubert in Panama and Costa Rica

¡Hola!

I just returned from an amazing photography expedition in Panama and Costa Rica where I served as the Photography Expert for National Geographic on board the small ship, the National Geographic Sea Lion.

Our journey started in Panama City where we spent a morning strolling through Caso Viejo before paying a visit to the Biomuseo, a museum designed by Frank Gehry and dedicated to Panama’s biodiversity.

A street in Caso Viejo of Panama City, Central America

Panama hats for sale in the historic district of Panama City, Panama, Central America

The Museum of Biodiversity, designed by famed architect Frank Gehry, in Panama City, Central America

Panama city as seen while Transiting the Panama Canal, Panama including views of Frank Gehry’s colorful Bio Museum

We transferred to Colón, located on Panama’s Atlantic Coast, where we boarded the ship and started our transit through the Panama Canal.

Transiting the Panama Canal on board the small passenger ship the National Geographic Sea Lion, Panama, Central America

Our first land stop was at Barro Colorado, an island in the man-made Lake Gatun, located in the middle of the canal.

The island is the site of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute which is dedicated to studying tropical forest ecosystems.  It is here where we saw Tent-making bats, birds like the Rufous motmot as well as Mantled howler monkeys.

A newborn howler monkey with its mother at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Barro Colorado Island, Panama

The Rufous Motmot, a species of tropical bird, photographed at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Barro Colorado Island, Panama

After we passed through the third and final lock, we headed up the Pacific Coast of Panama and Costa Rica, stopping at beautiful parks where we swam, hiked and enjoyed the tropical beauty of the area.

Stand Up Paddle-boarding and kayaking at Isla Coiba National Park, Panama

Isla Coiba National Park, Panama

A Black-mandibled toucan at Casa Orquidea Botanical Gardens, Costa Rica, Central America

Caletas Reserve, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica, Central America

Horseback riding at Caletas Reserve, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica, Central America

A beautiful beach sunset at Casa Orquidea Botanical Gardens, Costa Rica, Central America