Crimps Cub?

Ron Niebrugge Alaska, Lake Clark, Photos, Travel 1 Comment

Young sub-adult walking towards us.

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!

The young bear laying down just inside the tree shade.
So special to be so close to such beautiful animals.

Play Time!

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

A couple of brown bears avoiding the heat by playing in the ocean – last June at Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.

Kenai Fjords Photo Tour

Ron Niebrugge Alaska, Kenai Fjords, Photos, Travel Leave a Comment

Kayaking in Bear Glacier Lagoon, Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska.
Kayaking in Bear Glacier Lagoon, Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska. Can you see the kayaker?

Well this is a late addition for next summer’s lineup, but one I’m really excited about. It has been many years since I have offered a photo tour into Kenai Fjords National Park – a place that has not only been my backyard for over 25 years, but also a location of many assignments and even my first book project! It is a shame I don’t have a trip here – well, now I do! This trip includes so much, and you can read all the details here: Kenai Fjords National Park Photo Tour.

I’m offering two separate tours next summer, one is already full thanks to folks from my mailing list, and one in June has two spots left. Here are the highlights:

  • Four full days and three nights an a beautiful yacht where we will by staying in Kenai Fjords! We will be anchored in beautiful bays for sunset / sunrise, instead of making the long trip back to town each day.
  • Helicopter flight with the doors off over the National Park – everyone will have a view seat. Then, an extended landing in the remote mountains.
  • Jet boat and kayaking excursion into the incredible Bear Glacier Lagoon.
  • Gold Star Service Alaska Railroad transportation between Anchorage and Seward.
  • All meals and rooms including a nice hotel in Anchorage, and a very nice hotel, and restaurants in Seward. Plus, beer and wine.
  • June trip is timed for what is historically a peak time for killer whales.
  • Limited to only 4 guests – we will have lots of room on a modern 65 foot Bertram yacht.
Sunrise at anchor, Northwestern Fjord, Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska.
Sunrise at anchor, Northwestern Fjord, Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska.

Polar Bear Sunsets

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A polar bear sow and cub over look the Beaufort Sea.
A polar bear sow and cub over look the Beaufort Sea.  
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Olympus E-M1X, 300 f/4 at f/4, ISO 640, shutter speed 1/400, aperture priority with +1/2/3 compensation.

A couple of polar bear photos from a beautiful evening earlier this month.

A polar bear family at sunset earlier this fall in Alaska.
A polar bear family at sunset earlier this fall in Alaska.  This was shooting straight into the setting sun with my new Olympus E-M1X plus 300 /f/4 at f/4, ISO 200, 1/125 of a second.  

Africa Safari!

Ron Niebrugge Photos, Travel 2 Comments

Africa lion, photo by Rick Collins

I am really excited to have been approached by my good friend and awesome photographer Rick Collins to co-guide an amazing Africa Safari in 2020! First of all, I couldn’t think of a better person to be working since Rick is not only a wonderful photographer / guide, but has been living in Africa, and knows the local operators, guides and lodges first hand.

But, it is where we go and what we will be doing that makes the Africa Safari special! We have 17 full days actually in Africa, on Safari – this figure isn’t padded with travel days. We will see the Great Migration from both the Tanzina and Kenya sides, along with so much more. Here are just some of the highlights:

Safari Highlights

  • Visit the world’s most successful orphan elephant and rhino rescue and rehabilitation program operated by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
  • Photograph Amboseli’s endemic big-tusked elephants against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro
  • ‘Get in the Pink’ at Lake Nakuru with the world’s largest concentration of flamingos and the best place to see rhinos
  • Discover the Big Five in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve
  • Thrill to the spectacle of the Great Migration – two very different perspectives as seen from both the Kenya and Tanzania sides – as 1-1/2 million wildebeest defy death-by-drowning and predation while following greener pastures
  • Go off-road game driving in Ndutu, a part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and birthing ground to the wildebest migration herd
  • Traverse the Ngorongoro Crater basin, the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, with its unique ecosystem, home to 26,000+ animals, including the densest concentration of lions in the world
  • Go hunting with the Hadzabe Bushmen, the last of the hunters-and-gatherers; visit a Maasai village, and admire the jewelry and blacksmith art of the Datoga tribe
  • Absorb the knowledge of enthusiastic guides and expert naturalists
  • Experience the thrill of photographing animals in their natural habitat
  • Travel with a small group of like-minded photographers and an acclaimed professional wildlife photographer who is there to help you expand and hone your photographic skills
  • Soar across the roof of the world with an optional balloon safari over the Serengeti and the migration
  • Savor the sumptuous food especially prepared for your palette from natural ingredients and local flavors whether sitting by the campfire or overlooking the pool

Now I could go on and on, but Rick has such a detailed write up on his website, that it is best just to go there for all the details: Kenya, Tanzania and the Great Migration Africa Photo Safari.

Trip now full, however, we may be offering a second one.

Great Migration Photo by Rick Collins.