10 Breathtaking Pictures of Icy Worlds
Both intimate and monumental, the photography of Paul Nicklen captures the wonder of the polar regions.
Most people, if asked to describe their life’s most memorable moment, might share something profound but ultimately recognizable: getting ready for their wedding; a sunrise at the Grand Canyon; a really, really great baseball game.
Paul Nicklen shares moments from a different world entirely.
The Canadian photographer, who was raised in an Inuit community of some 300 people, has devoted his storied career to documenting the animal inhabitants and breathtaking landscapes of the polar regions. For him, extraordinary moments—like running naked across the nighttime tundra as 50,000 caribou tear through his camp, or being fed penguins by a leopard seal—are all part of the job.
A job which, for Nicklen, involves more than one kind of action. A dedicated conservationist, Nicklen co-founded SeaLegacy, a collective of visual storytellers who use their work to inspire global ocean conservation. And on Earth Day, Nicklen will also open a fine art gallery in New York City. A portion of the proceeds will support SeaLegacy’s youth education programs and documentary storytelling.
“It just seems like great timing to be celebrating conservation, nature, the stories of our changing planet,” Nicklen says of his work.
And as for his one memorable moment?
“I don’t really remember the near-death experiences,” Nicklen says. Instead, he describes a moment where, waist-deep in an Arctic lake filming the aurora borealis, he realized he was surrounded by a pack of wolves.
“So the aurora borealis is rippling across the sky, and I see the space station going across on this dark, starry night, and I'm surrounded by twelve wolves howling.
“You have those moments, where you just really can't believe that you're alive at that moment, how lucky you are.”
Related Topics
You May Also Like
Go Further
Animals
- This ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thoughtThis ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thought
- Why this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect senseWhy this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect sense
- When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
Environment
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?
History & Culture
- Séances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occultSéances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occult
- Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?
- Beauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century SpainBeauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century Spain
- The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’
- Heard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followersHeard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followers
Science
- Here's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in spaceHere's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in space
- Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.
- NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?
Travel
- What it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in MexicoWhat it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in Mexico
- Is this small English town Yorkshire's culinary capital?Is this small English town Yorkshire's culinary capital?
- Follow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood ForestFollow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest
- This chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new directionThis chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new direction