Spirit Bear Photography Tour - British Columbia, Canada
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Join John for a Spirit Bear Photo Tour in the Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia Trip Dates: September 3rd-11th, 2012 Trip Availability: SOLD OUT! (This trip is currently sold out -- it has been filled entirely with previous clientele, however, interested parties should contact me to get on the wait list, as there are often cancellations during the year) Contact John to reserve a spot on the 2013 Spirit Bear Photography Tour now!  Photos from the Great Bear Rainforest
We will explore the inlets, bays, estuaries, and old-growth forests of the mystical midcoast of British Columbia, including Princess Royal Island, the ancestral home of the rare white Kermode Bear. The surrounding mountains and rainforest are home to grizzly bears, wolves, wolverines, black bears, spirit bears, deer, and beavers and we will walk trails and explore creeks to watch spawning salmon and to search for and hopefully photograph spirit bears, black bears, grizzlies and maybe even wolves. We should also have an excellent chance of photographing humpback whales, which frequent this area in the late summer. Due to extreme weather conditions (it is called the rain-forest for a reason) and rough terrain, and to increase our chances of seeing a spirit bear, we will utilize native-built and licensed viewing platforms and areas in certain situations. In fact, this tour offers more native-licensed spirit bear viewing days than any other week-long photo tour in the Great Bear Rainforest. So while spirit bear sightings are never a guarantee, we have set up this tour to try to maximize our chances of encountering a white kermode bear. We have also limited our group size to six participants (plus John) with the intent of increasing your overall enjoyment of the trip. The Ocean Light II was chosen for this trip because the boat and crew have the reputation of being the best at what they do when it comes to operating wildlife photography trips on the B.C. Coast. You can expect professional service, superb guiding, good food, and clean, comfortable quarters. We will use the boat as a base, and a motorized inflatable to transfer people between the boat and the shore, as we explore one of the last unlogged temperate rainforests in the world. Expect this to be a unique and exciting photo tour that will challenge every skill you have as a wildlife photographer. You will likely shoot hand-held and from a tripod in a wide variety of situations and weather conditions. Itinerary This itinerary is a sample only – the exact itinerary of our trip will be dictated by factors such as weather, tides, and photo opportunities, with the crew working within the parameters of safety, time, and the highlights of the area. Participants will be expected to arrive in Prince Rupert on September 3rd prepared for an early morning departure on the 4th (this is a one-way trip from Prince Rupert to Bella Bella; participants can purchase one-way fares from Vancouver International Airport to both Bella Bella and Prince Rupert). Early in the morning on the 4th you will fly with me on a float plane (which is included in the price) from Prince Rupert to the Ocean Light II (which will already be stationed in the Great Bear Rainforest south of Prince Rupert) and we'll head out right away to start exploring some of the best bear viewing areas. The rest of the trip will be spent exploring the Great Bear Rainforest and enjoying the splendor of the surrounding area. Opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography will occur on each day; however, please be aware that the weather conditions and the location of wildlife will dictate the frequency of such activities. While the majority of our time will be in prime spirit bear country where there are few grizzly bears, we will be spending at least one full day (weather permitting) in the heart of grizzly bear country, so participants should expect to see grizzlies feeding on salmon on the trip. On our second to last day, the 10th, we'll be docking in Bella Bella, and will fly out from Bella Bella after breakfast on the morning of the 11th. This trip requires a moderate to good level of fitness and will involve hiking with gear on uneven and wet terrain. Participants should be mobile enough to climb ladders and get in and out of a zodiac. Weather conditions may be variable and participants must be prepared for adverse weather including torrential rain and cold temperatures. Although conditions may be difficult at times, the rewards are worth it, as you become part of just a small percentage of people who have explored the wonders of the Great Bear Rainforest! Maximum six participants (plus John). The Spirit Bear Photography Price includes the float plane trip to the Ocean Light II on the 4th. It also includes all three days in the First Nations licensed viewing areas, as well as accommodation and dinner in Prince Rupert on the 3rd and breakfast on the 4th. All Canadian Wildlife Photography Tours are non-smoking tours. Participants will be required to sign a waiver. Please note that a $1000 non-refundable deposit via cheque or email bank transfer is required to reserve your spot on a Spirit Bear Photography Tour. The balance owing, including gst, is due 120 days prior to your trip departure and is also non-refundable; however, upon cancellation, this balance owing may be transferred to another workshop or tour if John is able to fill your spot. We highly recommend all workshop and tour participants purchase independent trip cancellation insurance to protect against unforeseen circumstances. Contact John now to reserve a spot on the 2013 Spirit Bear Photo Tour
Stay Tuned for More Information on John's 2014 Spirit Bear Photography Trip to the Great Bear Rainforest
Spirit Bear Photo Tour in the Great Bear Rainforest (tentative dates mid September 2014) Contact John if you are interested in more details as they become available for the 2014 spirit bear photography tour |