BEAR AND PUFFIN PHOTO TOUR
Lake Clark National Park, Alaska

June 23 - 29, 2012 Only 2 spots remain!

August 7 - 13, 2012   Full

Join Alaskan photographer Ron Niebrugge for this exciting, all inclusive, photo tour into Lake Clark National Park, where our days will be spent photographing two of my favorite animals, brown bears and puffin!

Our tour will begin in Anchorage with a small plane flight down the coast to Lake Clark National Park.  From there, we will be spending 7 days and 6 nights at a remote lodge in Lake Clark National Park.  Our meals will be top notch and the lodging very comfortable, and both are included, allowing us to focus on photographing bears, puffin and beautiful scenery.

Now let me stop for a second and explain, if you have never spent time up close to these magnificent animals, you are in for a real treat.  We will have numerous bears at any given time walking, sleeping and feeding around us, sometimes relatively close – it is a thrill every person should experience once, and for a photographer, a dream come true!
 

Why Ron?  Great question.   You may be wondering what is the advantage of going with a photo tour when you can book a trip independantly.  There are many reasons why booking a photo tour is to your advantage, the biggest being you will be with a group of like minded people with the same focus, photography.  Independant travelers are grouped with others staying at the lodge who may be there for reasons other than photography, like sightseeing or fishing.  They will generally not be interested in staying on the animals for a long time, doing what it takes to get that once in a lifetime shot, or being out during the best light.  With Ron the  number one priority will be getting great photos.  You will stay on animals for as long as it takes and you will be out in the field during the best light of the mornings and evenings positioned to take advantage of the lighting and background.  These are considerations that won't be addressed for the casual sightseeing group.

About Ron.  Ron is a full-time professional photographer and his photography has been  his family's sole source of income for many years.  Ron has lived in Alaska for most of his life, and I believe Ron is the only Alaska based photographer offering photo tours to this area. Ron has the required park permits and insurance and will be happy to provide additional information on both.  Ron's images can regularly be found in many of the largest magazines in the world.  You may read more about Ron here. 

How about the timing?  Both trips offer great opportunities for photographing bears. 

In June there is the possibility of a few more bears, especially spring cubs.  Short, rich green grass along with fields of wildflowers, like Lupine, in bloom.  Mating activity also takes place during June offering some unique interaction and bringing more bores (males) into the area.  

In August the spring cubs are a little bigger and a bit more independant.  The possiblity of photographing fishing bears; bears chasing, catching and eating salmon is always high in August as the salmon start running.  Another opportunity is perching Puffin.  In August the Puffin are busy feeding chicks, and will be flying to and from their burrows with mouths full of needlefish. 

Regardless of which trip you choose the opportunities for bears feeding on sedges and clams, and Puffins in flight are perfect.  

What is the itinerary?  On the first day we fly from Anchorage to Lake Clark arriving around mid day.  It will be hard to control the excitement as you will be looking out at bears the minute the plane touches down on the beach.  Except for half a day with puffin, the rest of the time will be all about bears.  You will watch bears from the dining room as you eat gourmet meals, we will see bears walking right through the grounds, and we will spend many hours each day watching and photographing them in the meadows, streams and beaches.  It is safe to say, you will be seeing bears in your dreams!

The bears tend to be scattered over an area of a few miles.  We will use ATV vehicles with passenger trailers to move our gear and ourselves to within the vicinity of the bears, moving around on foot from there. 

One morning we will take a boat ride to a remote island and this is where we will photograph puffin.  We will actually go to shore on a nice gravel beach where we can set up tripods and have a great view of the puffin coming and going.  We will see both horned and tufted puffin.  The exact itinerary will be flexible depending on weather, tides and wind, but this gives you a good idea.

What will I learn?  I call this a tour instead of a workshop because the emphasis will be on putting you on the best subjects, in the best possible light.  I will be shooting alongside you, but also explaining my process on everything from exposure to focus.  In addition, I will be available to answer questions throughout the day.  During down time in the lodge, I will have my laptop and we can review images along with diving further into how I process my photos with Photoshop.  I’m a former school teacher and enjoy the process of teaching and sharing.

SCHEDULE
All participants should be in Anchorage by June 22, 2012 or August 6, 2012 depending on which tour you are taking.  We will be departing Anchorage early the morning of the 23rd/7th for Lake Clark.   We will return to Anchorage mid-day on June 29, 2012 or August 13, 2012.   Weather delays, though not frequent, are possible so we advise tour participants to book their return flights home for June 30, 2012 or August 14, 2012.

COST

Seven day six night trip costs $4,650.00

PAYMENT SCHEDULE
$1,000.00 non-refundable deposit due at registration.

Balance of $3,650.00 is due by April 1, 2012 for June trip and May 1, 2012 for August trip.

Payment may be made by check or credit card.  We accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express.

Deposits are non-refundable unless we cancel the workshop.

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS
No refunds will be made for cancellations.  All payments and deposits to Niebrugge Images are non-refundable unless the workshop sells out and we are able to fill your spot.  If your spot is filled, you will lose your initial deposit only.

We have the right to cancel this workshop for lack of registrants up to 60 days prior to workshop date.  In the case that we cancel the workshop your deposit and payments will be returned.  However, Niebrugge Images does not assume responsibility for any other costs incurred by customer as a result of the cancellation.

There will be NO REFUNDS for delays or cancellations because of weather, flights, or other reasons before arriving or during the workshop.  Niebrugge Images is not responsible for additional costs that may be incurred by such delays.

We highly recommend purchasing trip insurance.  One option is:   www.insuremytrip.com

WHAT IS INCLUDED
Airfare from Anchorage to Lake Clark National Park and back to Anchorage.    Lodging, all meals and snacks while at the lodge, boat trips and instruction.  You worry about taking photos, we will take care of the rest!

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Transportation to/from your home and Anchorage.  Any alcohol and gratuities.  We can not provide alcoholic beverages, but you may bring your own if you would like.  We also do not provide any personal gear, you will be responsible for bringing your camera gear, clothing, toiletries, and outerwear.  There are weight restrictions on gear.  I will send registered guests a list of recommended items as well as weight information.

SMOKING
 Is not permitted.

SKILL LEVEL AND PHYSICAL FITNESS
All ability levels are welcome.  However, a working knowledge of your camera and equipment and a basic understanding of photography is required. 

Physical fitness requirements are moderate.  You should be able to get in and out of a boat and be able to handle hikes on uneven terrain carrying your gear.

See more photos of Lake Clark National Park by Ron Niebrugge

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