This July, Southlake Style is setting sail on the adventure of a lifetime – Expedition Alaska: Seas the Day Brent Nixon, onebrof the cruise industry’s top naturalists, will be on board the Celebrity Solstice for the journey. We caught up with Nixon tobrget his take on Alaska and a first look at the experiences that await.
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Q: You're the CEO of Nature Talks ... are youbrlistening? Tell us a little about your background andbrorganization.
A: I created the nonprofit Adventures In Nature in 1996brand found a high demand for my personal style ofbrpresentations. I decided to create a for-profit branchbrcalled Nature Talks...are you listening? Nature Talks isbran opportunity for me to give voice to some of thebrissues in our natural world via dramatic illustrated talks.brSince the creation of Nature Talks in 2006, I have donebrpresentations for over one million people.br
Q: You travel all over the world. Where do you callbrhome?
A: I call two places home. Where I am hanging my hatbrduring any given month of field research or wildlifebrfilming is my “working” home. Cashmere, Washington,bris where I spend my days taking care of my twobrbeautiful daughters, Emma and Jessie.br
Q: What do you enjoy most about what you do?
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A: I love the environment the cruise industry createsbrfor guests. Within that relaxed, opulent world, peoplebrtend to be a little more open to seeing the world withbra bit more excitement and interest. I am proud to be abrpart of that grand cruise experience and always hopebrthat my presentations and narratives help create abrgrander memory for guests.
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Q: What's something about you that might surprisebrpeople?
A: I am a pretty quiet person when I am not presenting.brMost people know me through the passion they meetbrvia one of my presentations or narratives and are oftenbrsurprised at how mellow I am when I am not speakingbrabout something I love.br
Q: Can you give us a sneak peek at what you'll bebrsharing with us on Expedition Alaska: Seas the Day?
A: The humpback whale activity in Southeast Alaskabrhas hit epic levels, and I have some awesome filmbrfootage we just shot in 2015 that I think guests willbrlove. I also just finished some filming of coastal brownbrbears for a NatGeo assignment that I think they willbrfind totally edge-of-seat worthy. Throw in some greatbrCoastal Bald Eagle film footage, some phenomenalbrOrca information and a hyper-animated show aboutbrseals and sea lions, and the week will be golden.
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Q: Is there a common question you get from peoplebrwhen you're on the ship?
A: When will I see whales and bears? My response:brCome to my shows and you will find out!br
Q: What do you hope people take away from yourbrshows?
A: My hope is that each guest will come away with abrrenewed passion for the gifts that are all around usbrhere on earth. With that renewed passion, I hope willbrcome a desire to care about what we are leaving forbrour children to enjoy and be passionate about.br
Q: Give us an idea of the type of wildlife we may seebron the cruise.
A: We will have several different opportunities to seebrlots of humpback whales, bald eagles and a hugebrvariety of sea birds. If we are lucky, at least one or two American Black Bear, and if we are really lucky, abrCoastal Brown Bear (known elsewhere as a grizzly).brSalmon everywhere, and for those who go looking via shore excursions, possibly moose, wolf and a
cool animal known as a Pine Martin. Hoary marmots,brmountain goats and porpoise are also frequently seen.br
Q: What do you personally find most fascinatingbrabout Alaska?
A: The constant and wonderful changes that unfoldbrbefore me. It is not a static museum. Global change isbrvery real in Alaska regardless of your political views. Tobrme, that is real science and I am enthralled with it.br
Q: What would you say to someone who's never beenbrto Alaska?
A: Come with open eyes and an open heart. Leave yourbrexpectations at home and let this amazing place createbrlasting memories.br
Q: Anything else you'd like to say?
A: Alaska is not a notch in the travel belt that you canbrvisit once and say you have seen Alaska. I have beenbrexploring Alaska for over 35 years and still feel like abrnewcomer each time I return. Don’t let a single trip bebrAlaska’s only chance to impress you.