Alaska Bear Workshop - September 2006 Whenever I'm in Alaska (which is every summer), I'm struck by it’s immensity or vastness. This "recent trip" took me from the lush Temperate Rainforest in the southeast to the sparse treeless Tundra of central Denali NP... and then to the spectacle of Bears in Katmai NP. Trips like this always remind me how lucky I am to be a wildlife photographer, and how amazingly diverse our planet is! It also reminds me how fragile wild places are and how we need to stay vigilant in our advocacy for their protection.
My first week was spent cruising the spectacular Frederick Sound in Southeast Alaska. Humpback Whales are numerous in these waters and looking across calm seas and counting no less than thirty whales around the boat... blowing, fluking and breaching in the distance, was one of the main highlights of the trip. I also spent a day at Pack Creek on Admiralty Island watching/photographing Brown bears fishing for their favorite food... Salmon. This genetically unique population of Brown Bears appear so much darker in color than the "Brownies" I'm used to in Katmai NP. Notice (above) how dark the cubs are compared to the nearly blond cubs of the Brooks Bears.
Unfortunately my southeast trip was cut short by rough seas, boat problems, and an exciting rescue by the coast guards! After the "Mayday" was put out, life vests put on, my next move was to enclose my small portable hard drive (harboring my images from the first four days) into a zip-lock baggie and put it into my pocket. If I was going to die... at least my images would live on!
My second week was spent with friends in Denali NP. Camping at the remote Wonder Lake Campground is always an adventure. The Tundra fall colors were a bit past peak, but the weather held for us and the majestic Mt. Denali (Mt. McKinley) was visible for several days. The first night a sow Grizzly Bear and her two cubs came into camp and reminded all of us how lucky we were to be in such a beautiful and wild place! One highlight of the trip was our Wolf day. On our third day, we took the park bus back to "highway pass", an area that a pack of 11 wolves had been spending time recently, and we were lucky enough to spend nearly three hours watching, photographing, and hearing these rare, elusive animals. Three different times, the pack of four adults and seven 5 month old pups, stopped to raise muzzles to the sky and fill the air with their mournful howls... Wow, that is Alaska!
OK... bear time. My final week was my "Camping with Bears" workshop at Brooks in Katmai NP. Attending this workshop were ten excited photographers. My wife Robin was also able to make this trip, as well as my friend and co-leader (photographer/naturalist and great camp cook!) Mark Garbutt.
I'm always amazed at how many bears we see at Brooks. This year was one of the best. At one point, we could see 25 different bears from the lower platform! As always are days were filled with photographing, watching, encountering, experiencing, and appreciating these amazing giants. Our workshop participants were terrific in regards to bear etiquette and photography ethics. It is always a delight to lead responsible, respectful people on one of these wilderness trips. Photographers are often looked at negatively because of a few bad apples... it was great having a bushel of good ones! I also wanted to comment on how great the Park Service was this year. People like Tim, Kathy, Patrick, Howard, and others really make the whole Brooks experience. Thanks for your professionalism, wealth of information, and most of all the great job you do in keeping bears safe and allowing us visitors a chance to experience Brown Bears like few people ever get to...
You can take a peek at the bear video clip (Widows Media Player format, 2MB) that Robin took.
Thanks!
Other Recent TripsClick on the thumbnail image to view a short report of my recent trip.
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