Wildlife Watching in Alaska's Alexander Archipelago
Photographer and Tour Leader Bret Charman introduces our unique new photographic itinerary to the Alexander Archipelago in south-east Alaska. We explore this beautiful landscape by day in a specially modified catamaran and come ashore at night to stay in remote lodges.
Our Seldom Seen Alaska Photography tour encompasses the pristine and special wilderness of South-east Alaska where humpbacks erupt out of the water in feeding spectacles, bears patrol the coastlines and icebergs calve from glaciers to share the seas with orca, otter and gargantuan Steller’s sealion. The stylish tufted puffins with their elaborate head plumage will feature in our portfolio of photographed pelagic birds, while shorebirds and raptors rival our attention.
Each day we navigate the islands and wildlife-rich waters of the Alexander Archipelago aboard our private catamaran as we travel between comfortable lodges, each in an idyllic setting. Our expedition takes us along the volcanic and glacially carved shorelines of Kruzof Island and the so-called Alaskan ‘ABC Islands’ of Admiralty, Baranof and Chichagof, as well as the Islands of Kuiu, Mitkof and Kupernof.
As we journey through the glacier-cut fjords, our captain will endeavour to manoeuvre the vessel to allow us to capture images of iconic Alaskan wildlife against the incredibly scenic backdrop. The trip features some of the continent’s most fantastic scenery with waterfalls, rugged mountains and wild coastlines offering a seemingly endless source of inspiration. With exclusive use of the vessel, we will have the opportunity to capture images during the golden hour of the morning and evening when the landscape is bathed in soft light with pastel-coloured skies.
As we adjust to the scenery we welcome the wildlife into our frame, hoping to capture images of a tantalising variety of iconic North American species. This photography expedition explores the waters of one of the only places in the world where you can see the fascinating spectacle of humpback whales ‘bubble-net feeding’. This cooperative feeding strategy can include as many as 20 whales exploding out of the water, throats bulging on the abundant supply of herring these waters hold. The distinctive plumes of a whale’s blow may reveal a passing grey or minke whale or a pod of orca as we listen to their vocalisations on the amplified hydrophone system.
While in the ’Little Norway of Alaska’ – Petersburg – we focus on the LeConte Glacier. This glacier is extremely active, producing a colossal number of icebergs that decorate the adjacent fjord-like jewels of sapphire. Here we have a great opportunity to experiment with our camera settings to achieve creative and unusual images. While in Gustavus a local naturalist and professional photographer joins our group as we set out to photograph life in the tidepools before venturing onto the network of forest trails where we hope to photograph brown bear as they emerge from the towering Sitka spruce to forage along the bountiful coastline.
Exploring Sitka Sound, Salisbury Sound, Hoonah Sound, Fredrick Sound, Icy Strait and dozens of bays and inlets we should have plenty of opportunities to photograph characterful sea otters playing in the kelp forests, and with luck both harbour and Dall’s porpoise as they move through the bays. Ever-present bald eagles will become a feature of the trip too as we view them perched or soaring overhead.
Combining expert local knowledge with photography guidance, enthralling wildlife, and magnificent scenery, this tour will leave you revisiting your photos and memories for many years to come!
Contact us to book your place, or find out more about our Seldom Seen Alaska Photography holiday.
