This Arctic Life

One last shot before I go again - my favorite polar bear at Inglefieldbreen. Polar bears have transparent hair, black skin, and black tongues and are the largest terrestrial predator on earth. #thisarcticlife (at Svalbard)

Storms coming - the sun won’t set up here in the Arctic until August #thisarcticlife #magichour (at Svalbard)

Jousting walruses at Gravneset #thisarcticlife (at Svalbard)

On our way to the pack ice, less than 600 miles from the North Pole at 80°N 37’ N to search for Polar bears that feed on ringed seals. Pack ice is formed by freezing sea ice and at this point we were the furthest north of any ships apart from ice breakers. #thisarcticlife #packice #northpole #ice (at Svalbard)

The Arctic tern has the longest migration known in the animal kingdom. They migrate between the Arctic and Antarctic regions and have annual roundtrip lengths of about 44,300 miles. They are also infamous for pecking at humans and polar bears, sometimes drawing blood from both. #thisarcticlife (at Svalbard)

A peak emerges from the clouds in Inglefieldbreen, where we spotted one of my favorite polar bears from a zodiac #thisarcticlife #inglefieldbreen (at Svalbard)

This Arctic Life

A kittiwake coming straight for me at Kongsbreen glacier #thisarcticlife (at Svalbard)

We had a very rare sighting of polar bears mating at 80° 10’3 N, close to the North Pole. Only one of our naturalists (Tom, pictured in one of my previous photos) has ever seen this in the wild #thisarcticlife #polarbears #mating #wildlife (at Svalbard)

The quintessential jumping Arctic glacier photo. #muckboots will make you jump (and will also keep your feet warm and dry) #thisarcticlife (at Svalbard)

I will never forget my first polar bear sighting in Hornsund. It was really special and we had the chance to observe this mother and cub for over an hour. Polar bears are only found in the Arctic and can weigh up to 1,700 pounds. The larger bear pictured here was estimated to weigh about 600 pounds. Whenever we land or go out on Zodiacs we must carry firearms for self defense #thisarcticlife #polarbears (at Svalbard)

We sighted a humpback whale near the bow of our ship. I can’t wait to see one of these bad boys breach! #thisarcticlife #humpbackwhale (at Svalbard)

I AM THE WALRUS \ male walruses can weigh up to 3,700 pounds and I’m pretty sure they inspired the Star Wars character, Jabba the Hutt #thisarcticlife #svalbard #arctic #walrus #wildlife #iamthewalrus #starwars #jabbathehut #makeportraits (at Svalbard)

On a Zodiac expedition searching for polar bears and other wildlife in the Arctic #thisarcticlife (at Svalbard)

“The secret to success is to do what you love.” - Dr. Tom Smith, rifle master and naturalist

Tom is one of the most fascinating guys I have ever met and has some incredible stories that include traveling solo through the Arctic for 2 years on a single journey, living and hunting with the Inuit community, and saving a polar bear’s life by punching it in the face. I’m lucky to be part of this team #thisarcticlife #makeportraits (at Svalbard)

Beauty, Balance, and Grace

Last month, my team and I were on a rooftop with some NYC Ballet dancers.

Photos by Jen Trahan for Reuben Hernandez Studios, © 2014 Reuben Hernandez Studios. All rights reserved.

http://reubenhernandez.com
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Monday in Norway - I made it to the top of Preikestolen! Preikestolen is a steep and massive cliff 604 meters above Lysefjorden. The top of the cliff is flat (25 by 25 meters) and formed about 10,000 years ago during the ice age.
Norway is one of the most beautiful, picturesque countries I have ever visited, and Preikestolen is by far one of my all time favorite travel experiences. Enjoying the breathtaking view of Lysefjorden with my feet dangling off the edge of that cliff was transcendent. #preikestolen #lysefjorden #fjord #stavanger #norway #vscocam #vsco #thisarcticlife (at Preikestolen - Pulpit Rock, Norway)

The view outside our balcony #bergen #norway #magichour #vscocam #vsco #lifeisbeautiful #thisarcticlife (at Bergen City Center, Norway)

11 pm in Flåm - fire in the sky #nofilter #norway #magichour #sunset #fjord #aurlandsfjord #sognefjorden #flåm #flam #fire #onfire #fjordwhat #thisarcticlife (at Flåm Fjord, Norway)

11 pm in Oslo #magichour #oslo #norway #thisarcticlife (at Oslo, Norway)

Top of the Opera. Norway needs no filter (at Oslo Opera House)