BEAR AND PUFFIN PHOTO TOUR
Lake Clark National Park, Alaska
** Only 2 spots remain**
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 4 days and 3 nights at the Silver Salmon Creek Lodge. 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!
But is it safe? Nothing is perfectly safe, but this lodge has been operating in the area with a perfect safety record for more then 15 years. Along with myself, you will be accompanied by a full time bear guide / naturalist – someone who spends the entire summer with these same bears, and gets very familiar with their habits, movements and body language. Like I said, nothing is perfectly safe, but this is about as safe as it gets when it comes to close up bear photography.
Why Ron? Great question. I am a full-time professional photographer and my photography has been our families sole source of income for many years. While there are other photographers leading tours to this same location, the advantage to my tour is the small group size – I’m limiting this tour to only 4 guests. Every other tour limits the number to 6 or even 8! With a group size of 6, by the time you add the tour leader and the guide, you now have 8 people trying to photograph the same bears. I haven’t worked in this situation, but the bears move around a fair amount, I don’t see how everyone isn’t getting into each others way when you try to photograph with so many people. I believe the small group size increases and improves the interaction between me, my guests and the bears. My images can regularly be found in many of the largest magazines in the world. I have the required park permits and insurance and will happy to provide additional information on both. You may read more about me here. You can read more about me here.
In addition, I have lived in Alaska for most my life, and believe I’m the only Alaska based photographer offering photo tours to this area. I have the required park service permits and insurance and I am happy to provide additional information on both. You may read more about me here.
 How about the timing? I think it is perfect. The bears will be feeding on sedges, clams and salmon should begin appearing about that same time, so we may get the added benefit of seeing the bears chase, catch and feed on salmon. In addition, the puffin should be busy feeding chicks, and will be flying to and from their burrows with mouths full of needlefish.
The photos on this page, and all the photos taken on our Lake Clark page were captured on a trip of the exact same length, literally on the exact same dates two years ago. On that trip, we had terrible weather and very unfavorable tides. I can’t control the weather but this year the tides will be in our favor during those dates so we should have even more success!
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
We will fly out of Anchorage on the morning of Sunday, August 1, 2010. All participants should be in Anchorage by July 31. 2010. We will return to Anchorage mid-day on Wednesday, August 4, 2010.
COST
This four day three night trip costs $3,495.00 per person.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
$1,000.00 non-refundable deposit due at registration.
Balance of $2,495.00 is due by May 1, 2010.
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.
TO REGISTER FOR THE PHOTO TOUR
Call us at (907)224-7280 to reserve your spot.
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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