Inspired, he wrote for and received a Rasmuson Foundation art grant in 2008. In August 2009 he set out to spend 10 days photographing the ever-changing light, shadows and textures of the all-but-barren Great Kobuk Sand Dunes. He also had planned to capture images of the autumn colors and witness the annual caribou migration through the Kobuk River and across the dunes.

With daytime temperatures ranging from the low 40s to the mid-60s, and nights in the low 30s, Wayne hiked six to 10 miles a day, tracking the caribou and photographing the landscape. There were days filled with challenges and surprises. One significant challenge was the havoc wreaked upon his camera equipment by days of rain and wind. This was contrasted with the challenge of days of bright light that flattened the appearance of the dunes due to the lack of shadows.

One surprise was how wet the dunes were. Wet enough so that the sand was firm and easy to walk on, and wet enough so that the sand ripples were less pronounced, again making the dunes appear flat.

Still, there were days of perfect light mixed with spectacular shadows, and days of sun and calm. So calm and quiet in fact that the only sound was that of the wind whispering across the sand, and the clacking of hooves of the running caribou on nearby ridges.

Two thousand and six hundred images later, Thompson shares that this was definitely a trip of a lifetime.

Thompson first got involved in photography as a way to document his many travels around the world, including participating in a K2 expedition in 1994. The more he traveled, the more people encouraged him to share his images. In California, he was hired by REI to present slideshows of his work showcasing the American K2 expedition. Shortly thereafter, Thompson presented his first exhibit, followed by four other exhibits, followed by showings at art festivals and art galleries around southern California. One of his images was awarded "Best of Show" by a judge who stated "Wayne has an artist's eye, a poet's soul and a romantic heart that's channeled through the eye of his camera. His photographs are painterly and the compositions reflect an eye for the intangible qualities of nature."

Wayne Thompson

Thompson and his wife, Kelly, a writer, moved to Homer from the San Bernardino Mountains area of California in 2004, after a backpacking trip in Cooper Landing in 2000.

In Homer, Thompson's work is represented at Ptarmigan Arts where he has shown since 2006. In July, 2010 Wayne will present an exhibit at Ptarmigan Arts, showcasing images from his journey to the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes of Alaska.

When asked about future creative endeavors, Thompson says, "I'm not sure where I want to go with my photography. I just want to pursue new things and see where that takes me."

In the meantime, with grains of sand still in his boots, and the anticipation of new adventures in his eyes, Thompson heads out in to the Alaska wild, camera in hand, heart and eyes open. His photography can be viewed at www.journeysendphotography.com.

Christina Whiting is a free-lance writer and artist who lives in Homer.