wmjivey Posted October 21, 2017 #1 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Okay Photogs I want to shoot bears feeding in a steam, I know some of you have done this. Give me the scoop!!!, Just ordered a Sony A6300 and will be renting the new FE 100-400. cruise ports Icystraits, Juneau, Skagway and Anchorage. We are looking to drive/train into Denali Thanks John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donaldsc Posted October 21, 2017 #2 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Okay Photogs I want to shoot bears feeding in a steam, I know some of you have done this. Give me the scoop!!!, Just ordered a Sony A6300 and will be renting the new FE 100-400. cruise portsIcystraits, Juneau, Skagway and Anchorage. We are looking to drive/train into Denali Thanks John When are you going? DON Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Essiesmom Posted October 21, 2017 #3 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Folks on the Alaska board under Ports of Call can tell you when and where to find them. EM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmjivey Posted October 21, 2017 Author #4 Share Posted October 21, 2017 September, I post here cuz best advice for shooting pics are here not ports, many times other forums give info that seems condinsating to me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loonbeam Posted October 21, 2017 #5 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Denali and Ketchikan are your best bets but NOTHING is guaranteed. I can't think of anywhere near Skagway or Juneau except maybe the excursion that goes up to the Yukon either by train or van in Skagaway and that would be a lucky shot. Ketchikan has some of the latest running streams nearby but not on your list. At that time of year bears are more focused on digging dens (we went in Sept, saw them digging in Denali but the salmon was pretty much done in most streams) In Denali, a lot of the stream feeding is off the tour bus path (you can't just go wandering on your own there, well not easily) If you want to be sure, you would probably need to locate and hire a private guide who specializes in such things, they are not cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterW00 Posted October 21, 2017 #6 Share Posted October 21, 2017 We saw black bears up close and very personal in Ketchican, But you need to fly, Recommend Mountain Air or Island Wings, both very good operators. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
framer Posted October 21, 2017 #7 Share Posted October 21, 2017 To coordinate to get bear photos like you describe will be difficult. IMHO You will need to go later in the season then the above air services do have packages that meets your needs but make sure the ship stays long enough. Better choices can be found if you are on your own on land before or after your cruise. Good Luck... framer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peety3 Posted October 22, 2017 #8 Share Posted October 22, 2017 I've heard that Anan Creek is the top spot, but there are limited slots available. The air operators can tell you if they have any permits available for your dates, usually out of Ketchikan. Likewise, Traitor's Cove and Neets Bay are out of Ketchikan. We saw bears feeding from a stream by doing a tour with Wild Wolf Tours in Ketchikan. We could see that the folks who went on the Rainforest Excursion ($80?) with the Bear add-on (another $120 on top, I think) had a better and slightly closer vantage point, but like many tours I suspect they were time-limited and had to keep moving after a few minutes. We were on a private tour and could stay as long as we wished. Another year, I did the Neets Bay Bear Watch & Flight via Princess out of Ketchikan, on day 2 of the bear season...no bears. Again, ship-run tour, had a relatively short time at the viewing spot (45m?), and had to return to not miss our plane. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loonbeam Posted October 22, 2017 #9 Share Posted October 22, 2017 Note that Ketchikan is not on their port list and is not easy to get to otherwise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peety3 Posted October 22, 2017 #10 Share Posted October 22, 2017 Note that Ketchikan is not on their port list and is not easy to get to otherwise. Note that best bear locations are around Ketchikan, so if that's really important, they should consider switching to a different itinerary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmjivey Posted October 22, 2017 Author #11 Share Posted October 22, 2017 We choose this cruise to see different ports from last visit, it looks really good to do bears at Icy Point and not that expensive either. Thanks everyone for your support John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xlxo Posted October 25, 2017 #12 Share Posted October 25, 2017 Try waving a salmon up close to them to get attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loonbeam Posted October 25, 2017 #13 Share Posted October 25, 2017 Form what I can tell Icy Point may be best of your list, but MAY be a little late in the season for optimal viewing for there, but even if you don't see them the options sound pretty good... https://icystraitpoint.com/tour/wildlife-and-bear-search/ We choose this cruise to see different ports from last visit, it looks really good to do bears at Icy Point and not that expensive either. Thanks everyone for your support John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmjivey Posted October 27, 2017 Author #14 Share Posted October 27, 2017 I am going first week on September and the last time I was in Alaska it was several weeks later and I did see them still cruising aroung John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loonbeam Posted October 27, 2017 #15 Share Posted October 27, 2017 Certainly possible, just less likely (per our guide when we were there, we saw bears with cubs making dens in Denali, the potential limiting factor is that's what they may be doing away from usual viewing points (and you do NOT want to approach a den build) I am going first week on September and the last time I was in Alaska it was several weeks later and I did see them still cruising aroung John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victress2007 Posted October 27, 2017 #16 Share Posted October 27, 2017 We saw more bears in Yellowstone than we did in Alaska. (none in Alaska, mother and cubs black bear and grizzly in Yellowstone). That being said, another good option would be the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. If you are thinking about driving, get the Milepost guide that is put out by Alaska Tourism. It contains mile by mile guidance on all roads in Alaska. I think it's free, or a nominal charge from Alaska tourism. Have fun! Vic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glaciers Posted October 28, 2017 #17 Share Posted October 28, 2017 You’re late in the season for optimal bear viewing. Although you’re reluctant to post this on the Alaska forum, you’d get more responses to your question. Your best opportunities will include a fly-in bear viewing trip such as Lake Clark, Chinitna Bay, Brooks Lodge or Pack Creek. Icy Strait might be a good place. Your cruise line will offer excursions although booking independent gives you much more flexibility for finding bears in that area where sightings are only 50-70% successful. This is much less about photography than it is just finding areas to see bears which is on the Alaska board. Poor man’s bear viewing from Anchorage is a 30 minute drive south to Bird creek. Brown bears are frequent visitors to the creek looking for salmon although, again, you’re a bit late in the season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharod Posted December 4, 2017 #18 Share Posted December 4, 2017 If there is any way to get to Lake Clark, I highly recommend it! We were there on August 28 of this year, and there were lots of bears. My husband stopped counting at 35. Some close encounters too! We toured with www.alaskabearviewing.com out of Homer. Highly recommend! But I do know there are trips based out of Anchorage. Brown Bear by SHARON OBERHOLZER, on Flickr Lake Clark Brown Bear by SHARON OBERHOLZER, on Flickr Lake Clark Brown Bear by SHARON OBERHOLZER, on Flickr Brown Bears of Lake Clark National Park, Alaska by SHARON OBERHOLZER, on Flickr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loonbeam Posted December 4, 2017 #19 Share Posted December 4, 2017 Those middle two shots are frameable! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharod Posted December 4, 2017 #20 Share Posted December 4, 2017 Those middle two shots are frameable! Aww, thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Action Dave Posted July 14, 2018 #21 Share Posted July 14, 2018 in the heart :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Action Dave Posted July 11, 2019 #22 Share Posted July 11, 2019 I would take a head shot...Theyll have you for lunch if your too close...LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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