Full Album Links:
The Rose Bowl 2024 (Patrick Barron)
The Rose Bowl Michigan Football vs Alabama (Bryan Fuller)
Sponsor Note
First, a bear!
There are still a few spots left for Open Sky Expeditions' trip to Katmai National Park in Alaska! Sign up and I will show you how to take photos like the one above.
I am partnering with Open Sky Expeditions, a team of travel experts that specialize in small-group photography journeys & expeditions to compelling destinations all around the world. They’re not just experts at what they do (and photographers themselves); Open Sky is also co-run by Ann Arbor native, diehard Wolverine, and Michigan grad, Temu Nana (LSA ’03).
Next summer—from August 12-20, 2024—I’ll be joining Temu & an expert bear guide on an expedition to one of my favorite places in the world: Katmai National Park, Alaska. There, amidst stunning landscapes only accessible by boat or float plane (and we’ll use both), you can be up close with coastal brown bears as they fatten up for the winter. And to top it all off, you can learn wildlife photography from yours truly! I will be joining as a photo instructor, seriously excited to share my experience and passion for wildlife photography (and hopefully show some of you that it's not as crazy as it sounds). And of course, I'm happy to talk about all my tales of covering Michigan football as well (Temu, as you’ll also see, is as obsessed a fan as the rest of us). Katmai truly is a magical place and one that I visit every year. To walk amongst the bears there is one of the greatest experiences I've ever had and I'm excited to share that experience.
Check out their website for more information on the trip: Open Sky Expeditions Katmai Trip
Scroll down that link a bit to see some of the awesome photos (there are also otters).
If Alaska isn't your thing, they also host trips to Machu Picchu, Morocco, Chile, Antarctica, Norway, the Galapagos Islands, and many more. Check out their website, check out their photos, and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime!
You should also absolutely check out the Galapagos Islands! Stunning wildlife and landscape scenes in one of the most biodiverse places in the world. Dates are September 2-12 so check it out!
And to check out other opportunities, check out the rest of their website. Open Sky Expeditions, book now for the adventure of a lifetime!
Like A Dream
For as long as I've been a Michigan fan I've wanted to go to The Rose Bowl. Every year on tv I would watch the sunset on the San Gabriel Mountains, the parade, the B-2 flyover, and every year I would think "some day." It bothered me that Illinois had a more recent Rose Bowl appearance than Michigan. It bothered me that my first time going might be for a UCLA game. I would hear stories from my elders about attending The Rose Bowl and it was starting to sound like a tradition from another age, one I would not get to ever really understand.
Now, having gotten the full experience, and having witnessed an instant classic, I can say quite comfortably that it not only met expectations, it blew them out of the water. This was the best sports experience of my life.
The stadium was iconic and beautiful. Sure it needs a bit of repair in places, but it felt like a game from the 70s. As described by others, there was very little piped in music. Mostly you heard just the murmur of the crowd disrupted by the tribal clash of dueling marching bands. I marched to the top of the stadium twice, once for the B-2 flyover, and again for the sunset. As a photographer of national parks and wild things, I know a good sunset when I see one. I've never been more excited for a sunset.
It was magical, it was like a dream.
The nice thing about the Rose Bowl is that independent of who is playing in it or what the results are, it's still just as famous. But an instant classic is just a little bit more special. I had made peace with myself while I was up top staring at the red and orange tones coming off the San Gabriel mountains. Alabama was taking control of the game and I told myself "no matter what happens in this game, it's been incredible. I am ok with this."
Then Alabama fumbled and I gave a relatively unprofessional shout. One of my first bosses from the Michigan Daily was also up there with me, I apologized briefly for breaking my impartiality (she laughed and forgave me).
The game quickly shifted from It's So Over to Oh Yeah Baby We're So Back. I apologize for saying that the first half of the regular season was boring because a whole season's worth of nerves were hitting all at once. Remember how you felt when Jake Thaw fumbled? When the game officially went into overtime? Imagine that but now imagine also still having to do your job. These players have absolute nerves of steel. I shot OT next to Alejandro who later said I was slightly catatonic (which I don't dispute).
Blake Corum returned to this season with unfinished business. He returned for those legendary touchdown runs against Penn State and Ohio State. He returned for this. It doesn't get more special than that.
The game ended. The team rushed the field in a wave of excitement I've never seen before. The confetti cannons fired. The band played. Bryan Fuller tackled the shit out of me. It was all so beautiful.
And then just like that, we were all celebrating a Rose Bowl win over Alabama. This was not a pity opt-out Rose Bowl. This was a College Football Playoff win against ALABAMA. They did it.
It's been 17 years since Michigan was in the Rose Bowl. 17 years from now we'll still be talking about it. Win one more this season and not only that, but we won't shut up about it.
There's just one thing left to do.
About the Photographers
If you'd like to support us, one of the simplest things you can do is follow us on social media (links just below) where we post way more photos than here. In the offseason I also do a LOT of wildlife/national park photography. While we're not allowed to sell any of our sports photos per our credential agreement (sorry to anyone who reached out asking about one), I sell prints from my adventures which I sell on FineArtAmerica. You can buy prints (or just look at some pretty pictures) here: Patrick Barron Art Collections Or if you'd like, you can simply support me by buying me a coffee!
Social Media Accounts:
Patrick Barron:
Twitter: @BlueBarronPhoto
Instagram: @BlueBarronPhoto
Instagram (BUT WITH BEARS): @BlueBarronPhoto_Wild
Bryan Fuller
Twitter: I have been informed that Bryan's Twitter was hacked and is currently INOP :(
Instagram: @BryanFullerPhotography
[AHHHHH THE ROSE BOWL after THE JUMP]
Now go win the whole damn thing.
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schizontastic
January 6th, 2024 at 6:43 AM ^
Fantastic photos and experience. So jealous. That bear looks embarrassed you caught him.
Joined: 02/08/2015
MGoPoints: 2964
Blue Vet
January 6th, 2024 at 6:59 AM ^
Great take. Great pics. Great job.
Go, Blue!
Joined: 05/08/2012
MGoPoints: 67646
moldee_raspberry
January 6th, 2024 at 7:03 AM ^
Pristine shots of a truly epic outing
Joined: 11/20/2018
MGoPoints: 2507
The Iron Jock
January 6th, 2024 at 7:40 AM ^
What an amazing experience. Thanks for sharing these images and your perspective. I'm trying to savor every moment. Gravy like this is delicious. Go Blue!
Joined: 09/03/2012
MGoPoints: 266
tubauberalles
January 6th, 2024 at 7:59 AM ^
I was in the MMB when Harbaugh was QB and the had the pleasure of going to 2 Rose Bowls, M coming up short in both. These pics wonderfully capture what feels like a long-awaited redemption - dare I say an actual return to glory? Thanks for executing your craft so well and sharing with us all!
Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 2968
Goggles Paisano
January 6th, 2024 at 8:00 AM ^
Great stuff guys!
Joined: 07/30/2011
MGoPoints: 40195
XM - Mt 1822
January 6th, 2024 at 8:04 AM ^
great pics by you guys with fun commentary.
for anyone who is thinking about going to katmai with patrick, go! alaska is the most beautiful place on the planet. and remember to take your fly-rod with you along with your camera. you won't regret it.
Joined: 12/21/2011
MGoPoints: 87193
Romeo50
January 6th, 2024 at 9:37 AM ^
A 45-70 might come in handy. Sitting in a folding soccer chair next to an Alaskan Brown unaware while taking pictures of other bears catching fish has happened but is not advised. Travel note.
Joined: 03/09/2013
MGoPoints: 13921
XM - Mt 1822
January 6th, 2024 at 11:02 AM ^
the most we take into the bush is a .338 with 225 gr bullets. a 45-70 is a fine weapon for browns, though and a .45 hand gun is one of our bush weapons. and it's not been fishing where we've had some issues, but hunting and with game down. i'm guessing patrick's crew won't be hunting, as that is an entirely different dynamic.
Joined: 12/21/2011
MGoPoints: 87193
Romeo50
January 6th, 2024 at 1:15 PM ^
I travelled to Anchorage in early May of 1994 and rented the last car they had at the airport. A wobbly wheeled Corsica. I had to call on a customer in Soldatna down the Kenai. Before I left in this piece of junk the attendant said to not get out of my car on the trip along the coastal highway. He said stay in the car and like in the UP someone will happen by and pick you up as is custom (pre-cell coverage there). Easy to guess why. Fresh avalanches along the route overlooking the Cook Inlet that in summer tourist season had taken some RV's for a ride into the Inlet they say. Road undulates from permafrost I assume.
Dall sheep and the Chugach Range rising up in the mist above me was a visual feast. It was 25 and sunny in Fairbanks and people were shirtsleeve rollerblading.
Different world.
Joined: 03/09/2013
MGoPoints: 13921
M-Dog
January 6th, 2024 at 9:59 AM ^
alaska is the most beautiful place on the planet
I saw a real-life wolverine in Alaska outside Denali National Park at dusk. He was unimpressed by my presence. He looked right at me as if to say, "What are you looking at?" I kept right on going.
Joined: 07/06/2008
MGoPoints: 248997
MMB 82
January 6th, 2024 at 9:23 AM ^
I had been to every Michigan Rose Bowl from 1978-2007, this was the first one I had to miss (because I had made travel plans prior to the start of the season, who knew?). Nice to see it hasn’t changed a bit!
Joined: 07/06/2008
MGoPoints: 18016
M-Dog
January 6th, 2024 at 9:54 AM ^
These are FANTASTIC!
I have been looking at a lot of stuff on the internet about the Michigan - Alabama Rose Bowl, both on MGoBlog and elsewhere. There is a LOT of stuff. So, some of it I necessarily blow through quickly to get to the next thing.
But I took the time to savor each and every one of these pictures. It felt like I was there.
BTW, the picture of Will Johnson IS Charles Woodson:
Joined: 07/06/2008
MGoPoints: 248997
Oldadguy
January 6th, 2024 at 9:56 AM ^
Fabulous photos! Thanks for sharing. I’ve been fortunate to have gone to 5 rose bowls. None disappointed. It never gets old
Joined: 05/14/2015
MGoPoints: 4908
BlueBrad
January 6th, 2024 at 10:32 AM ^
I swear I looked through Patrick's gallery like 4 times, but I can't find the full resolution photo of the Wilson TD on flikr. Am I missing it?