I'll be traveling to the Kenai Peninsula and Cordova Alaska this June. Please share any travel/photographic ops info for these areas. I love birds and look forward to seeking out the best opp sites.
Mary Blackwell - Nikonian
League City, Tx
Posted by Jim DeWitt on January 4, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Aaron Lang is probably the birder and photographer who knows Cordova best. You can reach him at info@wildernessbirding.com. Aaron works for Wilderness Birding Adventures much of the summers now, but he can likely give you some tips. You should be aware that most of the action in Cordova and the Copper River Delta is in early-mid May, when the shorebird migration moves through.
So much depends on weather! When it's great, you'll be enthralled, but when it's not you're going to be challenged. I'd definitely go with protective gear for both you and your cameras.
If at all possible I'd arrange a boat ride, too. The Sound is dramatic, and you'll only get glimpses from the road.
It's always worthwhile to drive all the way out to the Million Dollar bridge and glacier, too. I'd expect lots of calving at the glacier. Along the way watch for other wildlife including black bear and moose. Brown bear are present, but not numerous. All are wild and not habituated, however.
The boat harbor is great if you like harbor scenes. Since the town rolls up and down the sides of hills in some areas, you can get some great town scenes, too.
In Kenai, Snow Geese and other migratory birds gather in the flats where the Kenai River exits into Cook Inlet, sometimes you can catch the Caribou herd there as well. It is off of Bridge Access Road which is in between Kenai Spur Hwy and Kalifornsky Beach Rd. If you are in Kenai, you would take that road to K-Beach (Kalifornsky) Rd turn right and go to Homer and Bald Eagle photo opportunities.
Marathon Rd in Kenai would be another place to try. It is the road that goes behind the Kenai Airport and heads out to some oil rigs. Migrating birds, moose, caribou, bear, etc are all out this road.
Just outside of Cooper Landing you can take Skilak Lake Road. It cuts off a corner of the Sterling Hwy and is much more scenic.
There are other places as well. I grew up in Kenai/Soldotna so if you need more specific directions I can give them to you.
I read right past the Kenai Peninsula part of your request until I read Tim's response. One of my favorites is Exit Glacier at Seward. There's a paved ~1/4 mi trail right to the foot of the glacier so ice closeups are possible. If you walk the streambed down from the glacier you can get some great views back up at the whole glacier.
While in Seward I've had great luck with "zoo" photography at the Sea Life Center. Bring a tripod for low light shooting through the walls of the marine mammal and fish tanks, but in the bird cage and the surface of the tanks upstairs you'll be well served by a strobe. You can get terrific shots of unique birds you probably can't photograph anywhere else, as well as really good shots of Stellar sea lions, harbor seals and sea otters. No need for more than a 300, and often an 80-200 is more than enough.
Discussion
4 repliesMary Blackwell - Nikonian
League City, Tx
If at all possible I'd arrange a boat ride, too. The Sound is dramatic, and you'll only get glimpses from the road.
It's always worthwhile to drive all the way out to the Million Dollar bridge and glacier, too. I'd expect lots of calving at the glacier. Along the way watch for other wildlife including black bear and moose. Brown bear are present, but not numerous. All are wild and not habituated, however.
The boat harbor is great if you like harbor scenes. Since the town rolls up and down the sides of hills in some areas, you can get some great town scenes, too.
Marathon Rd in Kenai would be another place to try. It is the road that goes behind the Kenai Airport and heads out to some oil rigs. Migrating birds, moose, caribou, bear, etc are all out this road.
Just outside of Cooper Landing you can take Skilak Lake Road. It cuts off a corner of the Sterling Hwy and is much more scenic.
There are other places as well. I grew up in Kenai/Soldotna so if you need more specific directions I can give them to you.
While in Seward I've had great luck with "zoo" photography at the Sea Life Center. Bring a tripod for low light shooting through the walls of the marine mammal and fish tanks, but in the bird cage and the surface of the tanks upstairs you'll be well served by a strobe. You can get terrific shots of unique birds you probably can't photograph anywhere else, as well as really good shots of Stellar sea lions, harbor seals and sea otters. No need for more than a 300, and often an 80-200 is more than enough.