Russia Expedition Update

[john j. henderson]

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 BPN for the years of support and friendship. I truly miss the day to day conversations and threads on BPN. 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.

 

[Norm Dulak]

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 BPN for the years of support and friendship. I truly miss the day to day conversations and threads on BPN. 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.

John:

I do miss your charming wit!

To the best of your ability, please do keep us posted on your Russian expedition.

Norm

 

[john j. henderson]

No problem Norm, well-almost no problem:2eyes2:

 

[Daniel Cadieux]

Sounds like quite the project!! Good luck with it

 

[James Shadle]

Hello John,
I had to take my adderall before I could finish reading your post.
Glad to hear you are OK and it sounds like an awesome trip. I was watching a program on Russian wildlife on Nat Geo the other night. I was blown away by the varsity of species and the vastness of the place.

Be well and be careful,
James

PS I got to admit, I need to see you in a suit. Try and post at least that photo.

 

[john j. henderson]

Hello John,
I had to take my adderall before I could finish reading your post.

PS I got to admit, I need to see you in a suit. Try and post at least that photo.

Hi James, what is Adderall? Photo of me in a suit, not happening!

thanks for the supportive comments, it really helps to have support from home in a place such as this. Here, you really become thankful for the little things. The other day, someone left a pepper shaker here (you know the kind, plastic bottle with a couple holes in the top); we (the three of us working at the park) have not stopped marveling at the pepper shaker and how it has made our basic meals (usually soup) so much better. Before the pepper shaker, pepper was in a little bowl on the table and you used your fingers to obtain the spice. Salt is still in a glass jar, no one has donated a salt shaker yet.

 

[Marina Scarr]

Hi John:

It's great to hear from you. I am so glad you got permission to stay in Russia for a year and that you have expanded your photographic horizons. Good luck with your showing at the museum. Maybe you could take a picture of the exhibit and post it for us all to see.

Take care of yourself.

Marina

 

[James Shadle]

Hi James, what is Adderal?
Medication for Attention Deficit Disorder.

 

[Harshad Barve]

Hey John ,

Can't wait for Amur Tiger image in wild , best of Luck

 

[Jim Neiger]

John,

You are a brave man. I wish you the best of luck and a safe, productive trip. I hope you find everything you are looking for.