Posted by Frank Parker on March 16, 2007 at 2:39 PM
HI All, Finally managed to get a trip to Alaska organised for this July/August, and I know a lot of you have photographed up there. So really I am looking for any hints or tips that woud help whilst I am there (in terms of locations and photographic needs). So far I have planned what would appear to be the obvious, Brooks Camps for the bears, Gustavus for Whales etc.. but if there are some nice places where wildlife viewing is good (that the books don't seem to cover) that you wouldn't mind sharing with me.. it would be most appreciated. The general itinerary so far is Juneau, Gustavus & Brooks Falls so in that region or close would be great!!!
Thanks for any help you can give...
Frank Parker
Redondo Beach
Posted by Lon Overacker on March 16, 2007 at 4:53 PM
Frank,
I was at Brooks Falls in 1993 and had an overwhelming experience - like nothing I had ever experience before, or since. I still remember that trip as if it was yesterday. Feel free to drop me an email from the link below if you want to hear more about it.
You didn't say what equipment you would be taking. This day and age, I'm assuming digital, but what lenses? At the time I had a Tamron 300/2.8 and used it mostly with the 1.4x teleconverter, so 400mm was pretty good. 500 is great if you've got it, but believe me there are plenty of opportunities to shoot brown bears with every lens in your bag. I've got series used with the 20mm where I counted something like 15 bears in one shot at the falls. 80-200 was useful and there are chances for full-frame closeups of these masterful beasts as they will walk and rest right next to the viewing platform.
It's a heart-pounding experience. I'm getting excited all over again.
We also visited Glacier Bay during the stop-over to Katmai. It's worth the trip as well.
Send me a note and I'll give you a link to some teasers...
Lon
Posted by Kent Mearig on March 17, 2007 at 7:03 PM
Frank - I've lived in Juneau for the last 15 years, but haven't traveled extensively enough in the rest of the state to give you any tips outside my local area. If your spending some time in the capital city, there are enough photo opportunities to excite me year round, and I would be happy to share. If your main interest is wildlife, you've got to bring your hiking legs as the bulk of the wildlife around here spends its time over 3000ft in the summer. Also, sea legs work, as there are some excellent whale watching and glacier viewing tours to take from town. If you're monetarily endowed, you shouldn't rule out helicopter flights to the icefields, a truly remarkable experience.
I'm traveling right now, so I'm without all the links saved on my home computer. I can contribute these insights into your planned trip. You'll pass through Anchorage getting to Brooks, so plan a few extra days for a drive down the Kenai Peninsula to Seward. Along the way there's Potter Marsh, which abounds in great bird ops. Nine miles past that (between Beluga Point and Indian) watch on your left for Dall sheep. There's a natural salt lick that draws them right down next to the road. Lots of ewes and lambs that time of year, but also some rams. I wish I could be specific about its location, but there's a trail that leads right up past the lick, and I've been there when sheep passed within 10 feet of me without a concern in the world.
Beyond that is Portage Glacier. You can give it a by unless you have lots of time. The glacier has retreated to the back of the lake and is just about invisible without buying an expensive seat on one of the tour boats. There's a better glacier waiting at Seward. Exit Glacier is about a half mile walk on an improved trail (asphalt!). It takes you right to the base of the glacier. Walk downstream in the riverbed for some great shots looking back upstream. There's also a trailhead for a steap walk to Columbia Glacier. Haven't made it yet, but I've glassed mountain goats up in the direction it heads.
In Seward sign on for one of the Kenai Fjord tour boats. They'll take you to Ayalik or Petterson Glacier with seals on the ice floes, plus a wide assemblage of marine birds, sea otters, whales, sea lions and more. A must-do.
Also in Seward spend time in the Alaska Sea Life Center. Their seals and marine birds give excellent ops without glass in the way. If you haven't photoed King Eider, this is your chance along with about 20 other species you probably won't see anywhere but Alaska. Carry your tripod because the center also has great below-water views via their big aquarium walls. One big male Stella sea lion is a real ham, enjoys people and often comes right up to the glass for nose to nose views. Challenging light, but if you shoot at higher ISOs while exposing for the aquarium, then bounce your strobe off the ceiling for fill in the viewing area you can get some fantastic shots of people interacting with him.
Have a ball!
Posted by Frank Parker on March 19, 2007 at 10:44 AM
HANK, KENT & LON.... thank you very much for giving me an insight.... It's new territory for me as I have only lived in the US for a couple of years and just have never made it up there (though it should be similar to England in terms of weather :)... and I do most of my photography in Africa... so whole new ball game. I had scoured the net for info.. but as usual it was/is a minefield of biased opinion and only ever seems to lead to the same places... So thanks for sharing a few places that I had not come across in my research.... I will get back to you individually (so sorry for this group reply), but off to Sedona tomorrow and trying to get some work out urgently today.. thanks again and be in touch soon.
Frank
Posted by Ron Niebrugge on March 20, 2007 at 11:45 AM
Hank it partially correct on the Columbia Glacier. It is perhaps one of the most dynamic spots in the world right now as this huge tidewater glacier continues to make its rapid retreat from its terminal moraine – it is an incredible site. But hiking to it would be a major multi-day expedition. It is pretty much only accessible by plane or boat.
I would strongly consider Kenai Fjords N.P. Be sure to do the full day tour to Aialik Bay. You can’t get to Pedersen Glacier without a kayak, but you can get very close the Aialik and Holgate Glaciers, and both have been very active in recent years. Your chances of seeing whales is also very high.
Two other great destinations would have to be Denali and Wrangell St. Elias N.P. A lot depends on the amount of time you have. This might be helpful for Alaska photography.
Discussion
5 repliesThanks for any help you can give...
Frank Parker
Redondo Beach
I was at Brooks Falls in 1993 and had an overwhelming experience - like nothing I had ever experience before, or since. I still remember that trip as if it was yesterday. Feel free to drop me an email from the link below if you want to hear more about it.
You didn't say what equipment you would be taking. This day and age, I'm assuming digital, but what lenses? At the time I had a Tamron 300/2.8 and used it mostly with the 1.4x teleconverter, so 400mm was pretty good. 500 is great if you've got it, but believe me there are plenty of opportunities to shoot brown bears with every lens in your bag. I've got series used with the 20mm where I counted something like 15 bears in one shot at the falls. 80-200 was useful and there are chances for full-frame closeups of these masterful beasts as they will walk and rest right next to the viewing platform.
It's a heart-pounding experience. I'm getting excited all over again.
We also visited Glacier Bay during the stop-over to Katmai. It's worth the trip as well.
Send me a note and I'll give you a link to some teasers...
Lon
I'm traveling right now, so I'm without all the links saved on my home computer. I can contribute these insights into your planned trip. You'll pass through Anchorage getting to Brooks, so plan a few extra days for a drive down the Kenai Peninsula to Seward. Along the way there's Potter Marsh, which abounds in great bird ops. Nine miles past that (between Beluga Point and Indian) watch on your left for Dall sheep. There's a natural salt lick that draws them right down next to the road. Lots of ewes and lambs that time of year, but also some rams. I wish I could be specific about its location, but there's a trail that leads right up past the lick, and I've been there when sheep passed within 10 feet of me without a concern in the world.
Beyond that is Portage Glacier. You can give it a by unless you have lots of time. The glacier has retreated to the back of the lake and is just about invisible without buying an expensive seat on one of the tour boats. There's a better glacier waiting at Seward. Exit Glacier is about a half mile walk on an improved trail (asphalt!). It takes you right to the base of the glacier. Walk downstream in the riverbed for some great shots looking back upstream. There's also a trailhead for a steap walk to Columbia Glacier. Haven't made it yet, but I've glassed mountain goats up in the direction it heads.
In Seward sign on for one of the Kenai Fjord tour boats. They'll take you to Ayalik or Petterson Glacier with seals on the ice floes, plus a wide assemblage of marine birds, sea otters, whales, sea lions and more. A must-do.
Also in Seward spend time in the Alaska Sea Life Center. Their seals and marine birds give excellent ops without glass in the way. If you haven't photoed King Eider, this is your chance along with about 20 other species you probably won't see anywhere but Alaska. Carry your tripod because the center also has great below-water views via their big aquarium walls. One big male Stella sea lion is a real ham, enjoys people and often comes right up to the glass for nose to nose views. Challenging light, but if you shoot at higher ISOs while exposing for the aquarium, then bounce your strobe off the ceiling for fill in the viewing area you can get some fantastic shots of people interacting with him.
Have a ball!
Frank
I would strongly consider Kenai Fjords N.P. Be sure to do the full day tour to Aialik Bay. You can’t get to Pedersen Glacier without a kayak, but you can get very close the Aialik and Holgate Glaciers, and both have been very active in recent years. Your chances of seeing whales is also very high.
Two other great destinations would have to be Denali and Wrangell St. Elias N.P. A lot depends on the amount of time you have. This might be helpful for Alaska photography.