Category Archive

We actually have a few spots left in what has historically been our most popular photo tour; our Alaska Bear and Puffin photography tour!

We spend our days up close to magnificent Alaska brown bears, and our evening in a very comfortable lodge with awesome food! What could be better. Based on all the mating activity last spring, this could be a good spring for cubs! Talk about the ultimate Christmas gift!

Sorry I haven’t posted much lately – that should change soon now that I’m getting caught up with projects at the Desert Photo Retreat, and can get back to my own photography.

I have been busy this last week updating some of my presentations for my Kansas trip coming up this week – it has been a fun trip down memory road as I pull images – this one is nearly 10 years old. To think, if this bear is still alive, it is now in it prime and much, much larger!

This is one of those special moments that seem to happen throughout my bear trips – moments I’ll likely never forget, and what make each trip special and unique.

This young sub adult was feeding on the sedges in the meadow near the lodge. We decided to walk out and get a closer look and to make photographs. To avoid the heat, thanks to Alaska’s crazy hot summer this year, we decided to sit in the shade provided by a nearby “tree island”. Not long after sitting down the young bear started walking towards us, leaving any possible food source behind. That always gets your attention a little bit. The young bear reached the edge of the same tree shadow we were sitting in, and non-nonchalantly laid down in very close proximity to us. Even crossing its paws, which is a sure sign it didn’t feel threatened. The young bear then laid its head on its paws and relaxed, obviously very comfortable in our presence.

Some of my repeat guests immediately started wondering if this wasn’t one of crimps cubs. Crimp is a very popular sow who’s cubs were now on their own for the first time this summer. These are cubs I have watched grow up over the years from spring cubs, to now sub-adults out on their own for the first time. Without a specific marking like their mom’s crimped ear, there is no way of knowing if this really was one of crimps cubs, but given its behavior, I sure like to think so. 🙂

Given Crimps busy activity with the boars this spring, I would say it is very likely she will have another set of spring cubs this upcoming spring, and the amazing cycle will begin again. I’m already looking forward to the spring!

Bear cubs nose to nose, a sure sign play is about to begin! Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.

Excited to be announcing our 2020 Alaska photo tours!  Including a brand new one to the Katmai Coast.

The trips are beginning to fill fast, in fact at least one is already sold out to guests who had a heads up by being on our mailing list which you can subscribe to at Alaska Photo Tours.  Here are the tours:

Katmai Bears Photo Tour:  I’m really excited about this new trip on the Katmai Coast timed to correspond with the salmon run, so fishing bears will be priority one!  Having the flexibility of a boat will allow us to change locations, allowing us to not only be at the current “hot spot”, but will provide us a variety of backgrounds.  I have charted the entire research vessel, the Island C  , giving us maximum flexibility.  This is a vessel that has been working on research projects for the Park Service along the coast, so they know the area well.

But the bears are just half the story – ok, maybe two thirds.  The trip will begin and end from Kodiak Island.  This will give us an opportunity to visit some amazing sea bird locations where we will see and photograph lots of horned and tufted puffin, along with many other birds.  We will also spend some time with the large rafts of sea otters that gather in the area, and finally will spend time in an area that is loaded with whales.  Humpbacks and gray whales are common,  but orcas and minke are also a possibility.

What about the lost time traveling between Kodiak and Katmai, won’t that cost us a day each way?  We actually do that crossing at night, so one evening we will be photographing wildlife in and around Kodiak, and the next morning we will wake up on the Katmai coast!  Although it might be hard to sleep with anticipation.  We have one full cabin and a spot for a solo male remaining – follow the link above for all the details on this all inclusive 8 day trip that includes a stay in Kodiak.

Bears, Whales and amazing scenery of the Inside Passage Photo Tour:  This is my favorite trip because of the incredibly variety.  I charter an entire, gorgeous 87 foot classic wooden yacht for two trips each summer.  This is the perfect photography platform – tons of room for what is at most only 10 guests.  Covered areas make staying dry while photographing a breeze.  We visit popular bear viewing areas including Pack Creek.  We also motor through incredible whale waters where we hope to photograph breeching whales and bubble-net feeding humpbacks.  Active tide water glaciers are also on the menu.  We anchor at night at beautiful, secluded coves where going for a walk on the beach, or a paddle in a kayak are usually possibilities.

This trip is very popular and it isn’t uncommon for guests to repeat it.  One of the two trips is already sold out, but we still have one cabin left on the second trip.  Check the link out for more details on these all-inclusive 9 days trips that include Juneau.

Alaska Bears, Bears, Bears and Puffin Photo Tour.  If it is bears that you want, then this is the trip for you!  I have been visiting this wonderful lodge on the coast of Lake Clark National Park for over a decade, and offer two trips every June.  We will see lots of bears, and will even have bears walking between the cabins and around the grounds of the lodge.  We are often watching bears as we dine on the wonderful food!  This is the best time of year – we usually see sows with cubs, playing, nursing digging for clams, eating grasses the works!  Since it is mating season, this is also the best time of year to see the huge boars. It is exciting to see the males posturing and trying to intimidate each other. Throw in wildflowers and lush green grass, and you have the ideal environment.  We will take at least one boat ride to an island with many sea birds including horned and tufted puffin.

This is typically my most popular trip with some guest returning three, four and even five times – seeing bears up close is an addicting thrill!  Right now there is 1 spot remaining on one trip, with more spots still left on the other.  Again, details on this all inclusive trip that includes dinner and hotel in Anchorage is on the website.  By the way, due to a recent unexpected cancellation, we do have one spot on the bear trip for 2019.

Be sure to sign up for email notifications and stay tuned as we have some exciting new stuff in the works including Antarctica!

Brown / Grizzly Bear, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.

A brown bear trying to find a comfortable spot to sleep on a log! We just had a cancellation for our upcoming June Alaska Bear Photo Tour – This trip filled almost a year ago, so this is a rare chance to join me on this amazing trip without a year plus planning!

Brown bear family portrait, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.

They look pretty relaxed!

Brown bear, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.

A simple portrait of a beautiful brown bear from earlier this summer.

Brown bear, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.

Any day you spot a bear is a good day!