Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS Plus Three Other EF Lenses Coming

As reported in my earlier post, Canon is expected to announce the EF 85mm f/1.4L IS lens plus three more EF 'high end' lenses, probably EF-S and EF-M models in the month of August. Keep checking back for more info as I get them.

I know of no other 'L' lens to expect anytime soon. The EF 600mm f/4 DO BR lens is expected next year as reported earlier and the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III is also expected to arrive some time in 2018 but not next month. Keep checking back for the latest information as I receive them.

I will be leaving for my annual Alaskan Wildlife Photo Tour and will try and stay in touch if time permits. In the meantime, you can follow my travels on Facebook and Twitter. See my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com

DigitalRev Adds Canon EOS-5D Mark IV Camera Page

I am still in Canada on my Alaska/Canada Wildlife Photo Tour. Online camera retailers like DigitalRev are trying to create a buzz by starting a Canon EOS-5D Mark IV camera page. My readers know Canon is expected to announce the Mark IV and EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II lens on August 25.

For more on what to expect from Canon for the rest of 2016, read my earlier post here. Yesterday, I had a rough day on the water in Johnstone Strait finding the resident Orcas. My zodiac was buffeted by 35+ knots winds and 4 foot waves. My EOS-1D X Mark II and myself were drenched by the spray. It reminded me of the time when I had my EOS-1D Mark IV on a zodiac in Cabo San Lucas photographing Humpback whales and was pounded by high waves and spray. The equipment came through with flying colors. That's why Canon calls these cameras professional grade. You can see my equipment bag and more of my works on MichaelDanielHo.com and follow my travels on Facebook and Twitter.

Wildlife Photography - Whales and Bears Photo Tour in Alaska and Canada, Day 10

A quick update on my Alaska/Canada Wildlife Photo Tour. I am in Canada now photographing Orcas. The action is alright but not spectacular. I had a better experience in Alaska with the Brown and Black bears and Humpback whales.

By now my readers know the Canon EOS-5D Mark IV camera will be announced on August 25 and it will have a new feature that is brand new to Canon DSLRs. Below are a few photos from my trip so far. The EOS-1D X Mark II camera is working like a charm. You can see my equipment bag, follow my trip on Facebook and Twitter and see more of my works on MichaelDanielHo.com

Wildlife Photography - Alaskan Photo Tour, Day 10

* * *  Off to another wildlife photo shoot on a continent far, far away  * * *

I am still on my wildlife photo tour of Alaska. Arrived in South east Alaska a few days ago for more wildlife photography. The Brown bear encounters were quite good in Round 1 of my tour. Now in Round 2, the whales sightings are OK and I have taken a few decent photos.

Those who are familiar with SE Alaska will know the weather is, as usual, gray and wet. I was lucky to have witnessed a pod of Killer whales hunting a Stellar Sealion. The pod took about two hours to finish the job, taking their time to teach the young and inexperienced members the art of the hunt. It was exciting and sobering to watch at the same time.

This year I did not witness any bubble net feeding by the Humpback whales but they did come very close to my small boat and performed a few full breaches. Just posting a few shots of whales after a quick look at the photos. Heading to another part of South east Alaska tomorrow for Round 3 of more wildlife photography. Visit my website MichaelDanielHo.com to see more wildlife photos of my previous trips to Alaska.

Killer whale hunting Stellar sealion in SE Alaska

Killer whales cruising SE Alaskan waters

Humpback whale making a full breach in South east Alaska

Wildlife Photography - Alaskan Photo Tour, Day 8

* * *  Read the latest post on my Alaskan Wildlife Photo Tour  * * *

I am on a wildlife photo tour of Alaska. Just made it out of the Katmai side of the Cook Inlet after 6 days and arrived in south east Alaska for more wildlife photography. While I was on the Katmai side, there was a 6.2 magnitude earthquake one day but the shaking was not as bad as I feared. The Brown bear encounters were quite good and I have taken quite a few photos.

Those who are familiar with SE Alaska will know the weather is, as usual, gray and wet. This is the first time I have Internet access and am looking through a few of the images. Going through my emails, I have received an invitation to attend the Canon Expo 2015 in New York City in early September. This exclusive event is held once every 5 years to highlight the latest innovation and products from Canon and for attendees to meet the 'movers and shakers' of the company. Unfortunately, I will be out of the country on another photo shoot at that time. If anyone is interested in attending this event as my 'representative', contact me via my website MichaelDanielHo.com and I will see if Canon will permit a substitute in my place.

I am enclosing a few photos (cell phone and camera) from my trip so far, as I am going through the lot at a quick glance. Too tired to really look closely at all those unprocessed images. The processed photos will have to wait till I return home.    

Flying into Alaska

Flying into Katmai side of Cook Inlet

Walk, don't run

Dueling (baby) Canines

Please don't eat my flowers

Wildlife Photography - Photo Safari in Alaska

I am off on a photo shoot in Alaska. This state is big and wild, the last frontier of the United States - over 663,000 square miles. It is about twice the size of Texas, over three times the size of California and about seven times the size of the United Kingdom.

Although Alaska is home to lots of glaciers and snow, the summer months can be pleasantly 'warm', by Alaskan standards, of course. Protected by the Chugach Mountains and the Alaska Range and warmed by Pacific Ocean currents, Anchorage, the largest city in the state, has a temperate maritime climate. Summer temperatures can reach into the high 70s. Low humidity also contributes to Anchorage's comfortable climate. However, temperatures can vary greatly depending on the region one may visit.

Every year, Pacific salmon by the millions return to the rivers and streams on the west coast of many parts of North America to spawn. Alaska gets its share of returning salmon along with all the riches a healthy rain forest ecosystem provides.

South East Alaska has the largest temperate rain forest in the world. Its waters are rich in salmon, krill (shrimp-like organisms), herring and small baitfish. Humpback whales return to Alaska every summer to feed on this abundance and they can consume about a ton of food per day, per whale. Brown and Black bears, Sea-lions, Bald eagles, Orcas and other predators, all share in this summer harvest.

I really need to catch a break and get some spectacular wildlife photos. My last two trips to the high Arctic and India in recent months have produced only mediocre images due to the lack of exciting encounters. Wish me luck on this trip. In the meantime, you can follow my travel on Facebook and Twitter and visit my website MichaelDanielHo.com to see photos from my previous trips.