Brent Newhouse

As a photographer still learning the ways of wildlife photography, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to spend three months in the Northwest Chain of the Hawaiian islands. One of the most remote places on earth, this sub-tropical set of islands spans roughly 1,300 miles from Kauai through Kure Atoll. Many of the islands are only accessible via a multi-day sail, and crossing the North Pacific is not always a smooth ride! However, for those fortunate enough to pass through the chain, the islands and atolls of Nihoa, French Frigate Shoals, Laysan and Midway provide a wide and rare spectrum of landscape and wildlife. To be in the midst of such natural beauty is quite awe-inspiring. One of my main shooting goals during the trip was to capture the native wildlife in fleeting moments of activity or personality that would otherwise be easily missed by a casual observer. Capturing the creatures in these moments - whether it was a Ghost crab flinging pieces of sand into the air, a flying fish skimming the surface of the water, or two Laysan Albatross sharing each others' company - required extreme patience and a good deal of luck. I found that having my camera handy at all times was a requirement, and I had to be prepared to wait long periods of time before the environment I entered returned to its normal state of activities. Of the tens of thousands of photos I snapped out there, I have selected a few of my favorites. I hope these photos bring enjoyment and an appreciation for the beauty and personality of the islands from which they were taken.