Photos -- Denali, Katmai (Brooks Lodge) and Kenai Fjords NPs
Jul 10th, 2007, 08:32 AM
#21
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Matt, of the three parks we visited, Denali, Katmai and Kenai Fjords, my least favorite was Denali (there are many buses traveling its single road, and while it would be much more peaceful in the back country, our goal was to see wildlife, and the buses keep the animals distant from the road). If you have time and your cruise is in July or September, it may be worth considering an extenstion to Brooks Lodge, which is where all of my grizzly bear photos (except the one appearing with the photos from Denali) were taken. While I usually don't like to repeat visits to a country, state, etc. in quick succession, I am considering a return to Alaska, maybe as early as next Summer, this time to focus on the inside passage (relying on the Alasks Maritime Highway ferry system).
Kavey, all of the good grizzly photos were taken at Brooks Lodge (www.katmailand.com), not Denali -- I saw three grizzlies in Denali (two very distant) and one at least 100 yards from the road (the photo of the retreating grizzly, just before the retreating porcupine, is from Denali).
Kavey, all of the good grizzly photos were taken at Brooks Lodge (www.katmailand.com), not Denali -- I saw three grizzlies in Denali (two very distant) and one at least 100 yards from the road (the photo of the retreating grizzly, just before the retreating porcupine, is from Denali).
Jul 10th, 2007, 08:42 AM
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Wonderful photos, Michael!
Can you give a brief outline of the daily schedule/logistics of your trip? What's the best time of year or possible months for a trip like this? We prefer to travel during less crowded/off peak times that still allow good wildlife viewing (if such a combination exists). I know very little about Alaska. Thanks!
Can you give a brief outline of the daily schedule/logistics of your trip? What's the best time of year or possible months for a trip like this? We prefer to travel during less crowded/off peak times that still allow good wildlife viewing (if such a combination exists). I know very little about Alaska. Thanks!
Jul 10th, 2007, 08:54 AM
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Matt, thanks, I changed the title to "Golden Eagle." I shouhd have trusted my identification skill, instead of the geriatric, myopic twitcher.
Patty, my guess is that more than 90% of wildlife tourists visit Alaska between Memorial Day and Labor Day, when the days are long and the weather pleasant. But its probably a bell curve, with smaller crowds earlier and later.
Another great wildlife trip is a visit to the bald eagles at Haines in November, when 3,000 to 4,000 eagles congregate. But its much colder, then, and from photos I've seen, the photographers are bundled against the snow. But, that's also something I'm looking into.
Patty, my guess is that more than 90% of wildlife tourists visit Alaska between Memorial Day and Labor Day, when the days are long and the weather pleasant. But its probably a bell curve, with smaller crowds earlier and later.
Another great wildlife trip is a visit to the bald eagles at Haines in November, when 3,000 to 4,000 eagles congregate. But its much colder, then, and from photos I've seen, the photographers are bundled against the snow. But, that's also something I'm looking into.
Jul 10th, 2007, 09:10 AM
#24
<i>I think your Osprey is in fact a Golden Eagle.</i>
In my years of working around Alaska, I don't recall seeing an adult Golden Eagle up close.
I believe the picture is of a juvenile Bald Eagle; they look similar to Goldens until around age 4 or 5.
In my years of working around Alaska, I don't recall seeing an adult Golden Eagle up close.
I believe the picture is of a juvenile Bald Eagle; they look similar to Goldens until around age 4 or 5.
Jul 10th, 2007, 09:30 AM
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Michael - I know it sounded like an odd question. 
When we were on a cruise to Alaska (our one-and-only cruise), we were unable to get on the excursion to a bear outlook that sounded similar to your pictures. Upon return, some of the people told us that it was not really a very good excursion, as the bears were actually in a very large enclosed area...hearsay only.
When we were on a cruise to Alaska (our one-and-only cruise), we were unable to get on the excursion to a bear outlook that sounded similar to your pictures. Upon return, some of the people told us that it was not really a very good excursion, as the bears were actually in a very large enclosed area...hearsay only.
Jul 10th, 2007, 10:05 AM
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Gardyloo is correct, the wonderful raptor is an immature bald eagle. Golden eagles are feathered all the way down the leg to the feet and thus don't show the amount of yellow leg visible in those pics.
Jul 10th, 2007, 11:24 AM
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Yeah, sorry, I wasn't clear. I knew YOU got closest to the grizzlies at Brooks Lodge - I just meant that it reminded me of the grizzly sightings I had which were at Denali.
The one I remember best was of mummy bear followed along a hillside by three baby bears. Two babies kept nice and close to mummy but the third was an inquisitive thing and got distracted by something along the route. Eventually, he looked up, noticed how far ahead mummy and siblings had got and madly raced along the hillside after them!
The one I remember best was of mummy bear followed along a hillside by three baby bears. Two babies kept nice and close to mummy but the third was an inquisitive thing and got distracted by something along the route. Eventually, he looked up, noticed how far ahead mummy and siblings had got and madly raced along the hillside after them!
Jul 10th, 2007, 12:04 PM
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OhBoyOhBoyOhBoy - Talk about building my excitement just 10 days before we leave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Michael, You are an absolute ANGEL for posting those photos! They are absolutely AMAZING! I LOVE the bear'smelling' the flower, the bear in the 'bubbles', the one who looks like he's on his bum saying 'and you are looking at ....', the three seals lined up on the rock, ALL the orcas - WOW - you were really really lucky and of course that adorable sea otter (my aim is to get one 'good' pic of a sea otter).
Now for the questions (I bet you knew they were coming!!) .....
How close did you get to the Orcas?
Did you take the 6 hour Kenai Fjords trip or the 8 hour? We're thinking of doing the 6 hour one at 3pm - are we missing lots by doing the shorter one do you think?
In Brooks, did you see any float planes land on the 'Falls' side? I read a very recent report on another forum saying that the poster landed on that side but some people didn't and couldn't get across to the falls because of bear 'traffic'?
Was there lots of jostling at the falls?
Any advice / tips for Brooks? ... Denali? ..... Anchorage? ... Seward?
Any recommendations good / bad for places to eat?
Thanks so much for posting - I am almost dancing thinking about going and what lies ahead!!!!
Imelda
Michael, You are an absolute ANGEL for posting those photos! They are absolutely AMAZING! I LOVE the bear'smelling' the flower, the bear in the 'bubbles', the one who looks like he's on his bum saying 'and you are looking at ....', the three seals lined up on the rock, ALL the orcas - WOW - you were really really lucky and of course that adorable sea otter (my aim is to get one 'good' pic of a sea otter).
Now for the questions (I bet you knew they were coming!!) .....
How close did you get to the Orcas?
Did you take the 6 hour Kenai Fjords trip or the 8 hour? We're thinking of doing the 6 hour one at 3pm - are we missing lots by doing the shorter one do you think?
In Brooks, did you see any float planes land on the 'Falls' side? I read a very recent report on another forum saying that the poster landed on that side but some people didn't and couldn't get across to the falls because of bear 'traffic'?
Was there lots of jostling at the falls?
Any advice / tips for Brooks? ... Denali? ..... Anchorage? ... Seward?
Any recommendations good / bad for places to eat?
Thanks so much for posting - I am almost dancing thinking about going and what lies ahead!!!!
Imelda
Jul 10th, 2007, 12:16 PM
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Wonderful pictures -- thanks for posting! What a treat. I've been to Alaska twice to visit family, but never to Brooks Lodge... it's one of my dream destinations.
What was your actual itinerary (how many days in each place)?
What was your actual itinerary (how many days in each place)?
Jul 10th, 2007, 12:17 PM
#32
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Imelda:
How close did you get to the Orcas? We were within a large group of orcas, maybe 50 in several families, some of which were quite distant, but others came within 50 yards of the boat. But they are difficult to photograph as they surfaced briefly, and then went underwater for a while, only to resurface 100 yards further.
Did you take the 6 hour Kenai Fjords trip or the 8 hour? We're thinking of doing the 6 hour one at 3pm - are we missing lots by doing the shorter one do you think? I was on the 11:30 cruise (which is six hours) and I thought it was sufficient. I believe the eight hour tour goes to a more distant glacier. It was an amazing trip, and I definitely would have welcomed to more hours (we also saw humpback whales, which I didn't photograph).
In Brooks, did you see any float planes land on the 'Falls' side? I read a very recent report on another forum saying that the poster landed on that side but some people didn't and couldn't get across to the falls because of bear 'traffic'? Only private tours land on that side. While we were there we were caught in a "bear jam" and couldn't cross the bridge to get to the falls at all in the afternoon. So, a private tour took his guests to land on the other side. I was glad I visited the falls as soon as I arrived; others didn't, and because of the afternoon bear jam, they never got to the falls.
Was there lots of jostling at the falls? None whatsoever -- there's plenty of room
Any advice / tips for Brooks? ... Denali? ..... Anchorage? ... Seward?
Any recommendations good / bad for places to eat? I ate at the salmon bake place in Glitter Gulch in Denali, as it was open at 10:00 at night -- pretty good king crab. I also had king crab at Simon & Seafort in Anchorage (some say the restaurant in the Hotel Cook is better, but I, as a rule, don't patronize hotel restaurants). Brooks is buffet (but they have diet coke in a can, which I like -- I won't drink fountain soda).
How close did you get to the Orcas? We were within a large group of orcas, maybe 50 in several families, some of which were quite distant, but others came within 50 yards of the boat. But they are difficult to photograph as they surfaced briefly, and then went underwater for a while, only to resurface 100 yards further.
Did you take the 6 hour Kenai Fjords trip or the 8 hour? We're thinking of doing the 6 hour one at 3pm - are we missing lots by doing the shorter one do you think? I was on the 11:30 cruise (which is six hours) and I thought it was sufficient. I believe the eight hour tour goes to a more distant glacier. It was an amazing trip, and I definitely would have welcomed to more hours (we also saw humpback whales, which I didn't photograph).
In Brooks, did you see any float planes land on the 'Falls' side? I read a very recent report on another forum saying that the poster landed on that side but some people didn't and couldn't get across to the falls because of bear 'traffic'? Only private tours land on that side. While we were there we were caught in a "bear jam" and couldn't cross the bridge to get to the falls at all in the afternoon. So, a private tour took his guests to land on the other side. I was glad I visited the falls as soon as I arrived; others didn't, and because of the afternoon bear jam, they never got to the falls.
Was there lots of jostling at the falls? None whatsoever -- there's plenty of room
Any advice / tips for Brooks? ... Denali? ..... Anchorage? ... Seward?
Any recommendations good / bad for places to eat? I ate at the salmon bake place in Glitter Gulch in Denali, as it was open at 10:00 at night -- pretty good king crab. I also had king crab at Simon & Seafort in Anchorage (some say the restaurant in the Hotel Cook is better, but I, as a rule, don't patronize hotel restaurants). Brooks is buffet (but they have diet coke in a can, which I like -- I won't drink fountain soda).
Jul 10th, 2007, 12:42 PM
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Thanks Michael!
I realise Orcas are VERY difficult to photograph but if I even get to see them I will consider myself VERY lucky!
I'm also very glad to hear that there isn't any jostling at the falls - I would hate to have to contend with that. When you say only the 'private tours' get to land on the falls side - what excatly do you mean? Hope this isn't a stupid question BUT .. we will be flying in with Regal Air (just us in the plane) - is this considered a 'private' tour or is it just a specific company that do private tours?
Either way, we'll make sure to head straight for the falls when we arrive. I'm not sure we'll bother with the lodge for lunch - definately don't want to waste valuable bear watching time just eating! Actually, I think Regal Air provide some kind of lunch but I'm hoping we can have it just before we leave for Anchorage.
Thanks again for answering my questions,
Imelda
I realise Orcas are VERY difficult to photograph but if I even get to see them I will consider myself VERY lucky!
I'm also very glad to hear that there isn't any jostling at the falls - I would hate to have to contend with that. When you say only the 'private tours' get to land on the falls side - what excatly do you mean? Hope this isn't a stupid question BUT .. we will be flying in with Regal Air (just us in the plane) - is this considered a 'private' tour or is it just a specific company that do private tours?
Either way, we'll make sure to head straight for the falls when we arrive. I'm not sure we'll bother with the lodge for lunch - definately don't want to waste valuable bear watching time just eating! Actually, I think Regal Air provide some kind of lunch but I'm hoping we can have it just before we leave for Anchorage.
Thanks again for answering my questions,
Imelda
Jul 10th, 2007, 01:00 PM
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Imelda, I don't know the answer to that. I guess it depends on whether your plane stays at Brooks Lodge while you visit, or if it leaves to pick up others. If it remains, I don't see why they couldn't fly over to the other landing area -- they seem to use bush planes like taxis. You may want to check with them.
Jul 10th, 2007, 01:31 PM
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Yup I stand corrected, juvenile Bald Eagle, never make identifications without a field guide! Particularly of birds you've hardly ever seen, thanks Gardyloo and Pred for picking me up on that one.
Jul 10th, 2007, 01:42 PM
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Thanks Michael - I'm going to e- mail Regal Air to ask - I'm thinking that the plane will stay with us for the duration - don't think they have any other trips for 'our' day.
Hi Patty,
We are planning a one week land trip starting July 20th, followed by a cruise on Celebrity departing Seward on July 27th. We visited Alaska by cruise only back in 2005 and always said we would go back. This is our itinerary:
<b>July 20th </b>Fly Ireland - Newark - Seattle - Anchorage (VERY long day!). Arrive Anchorage 9.30pm . Collect rental car at airport (getting a good deal by pre-paying) . Overnight in Summerset B&B.
<b>July 21st</b> Early morning departure to <b>Denali</b> after stocking up on groceries. O/n Denlai Lakeview Inn
<b>July 22nd</b> 6.15am shuttle in to <b>Denali</b> National Park as far as Wonder Lake. o/n Denali Lakeview Inn
<b>July 23rd</b> Drive to <b>Anchorage</b> with MANY stops along the way - o/n Dimond Center Hotel.
<b>July 24th</b> Bear viewing trip to Brooks Falls o/n Dimond Center Hotel <b>Anchorage</b>. Drop off car at airport.
<b>July 25th</b> Collect new rental car and drive to <b>Seward</b> stopping at the Animal Refuge etc. along the way o/n Seward - Point of View Studio Suite
<b>July 26th - Seward</b> Alaska Sealife Center 'Behind the Scenes' Tour, Exit Glacier and 3pm Kenai Fjords Cruise (6 hours)
<b>July 27th</b> Spend a few hours around Seward before returning our rental car and boarding Celebrity Summit around 12pm. Depart on <b>cruise</b> ship at 9pm.
<b> July 28th - Hubbard Glacier viewing</b>
<b>July 29th - Juneau</b> - Planning on going to Mendenhall Glacier and possibly Mount Roberts Tram if the weather is good. Also some shopping!
<b>July 30th - Skagway</b> - Have booked Chilkoot Charters excursion - White Pass Train to Carcross with return bu bus to Skagway.
<b>July 31st - Hoonah </b> - We haven't booked anything here yet but I'm thinking of doing a bear viewing 'search' here. Sightings aren't guranteed though so I'm not sure.
<b>August 1st - Ketchikan</b> - Here we have booked a trip by floatplane to Anan Creek to see bears (mainly black I'm told).
<b> August 2nd - Day at Sea</b> - Hopefully we'll get some rest in!!
<b>August 3rd - Vancouver</b> - We disembark and meet up with Lynda and Jim and Kristina (Safarimama)... need I say more!!!! We fly to Chicago that night at 11pm arriving in Chicago at 5am. We have a room near the airport where hopefully we will catch a few zzzzz's. Hopefully we will get a few hours to wander and then its a 6.40pm flight from there back home to Shannon arriving August 5th - just a 2.5 hour drive home!!!! - Arrive home, tired but happy ... hopefully!
We were VERY lucky on our cruise portion - I spotted a FANTASTIC deal on Celebrity's website last week and switched from a balcony to a suite gurantee (this is where you don't book a specific cabin and let Celebrity put you in any cabin of the level you booked or sometimes, if you're VERY lucky, higher). Well, we lucked out! We got our assignment yesterday and we're in a 'huge' (by comparison) cabin for half the price we were quoted for a lower grade cabin back in January! I couldn't believe it! Hopefully this is an omen of good things to come - fingers crossed!
Imelda
Hi Patty,
We are planning a one week land trip starting July 20th, followed by a cruise on Celebrity departing Seward on July 27th. We visited Alaska by cruise only back in 2005 and always said we would go back. This is our itinerary:
<b>July 20th </b>Fly Ireland - Newark - Seattle - Anchorage (VERY long day!). Arrive Anchorage 9.30pm . Collect rental car at airport (getting a good deal by pre-paying) . Overnight in Summerset B&B.
<b>July 21st</b> Early morning departure to <b>Denali</b> after stocking up on groceries. O/n Denlai Lakeview Inn
<b>July 22nd</b> 6.15am shuttle in to <b>Denali</b> National Park as far as Wonder Lake. o/n Denali Lakeview Inn
<b>July 23rd</b> Drive to <b>Anchorage</b> with MANY stops along the way - o/n Dimond Center Hotel.
<b>July 24th</b> Bear viewing trip to Brooks Falls o/n Dimond Center Hotel <b>Anchorage</b>. Drop off car at airport.
<b>July 25th</b> Collect new rental car and drive to <b>Seward</b> stopping at the Animal Refuge etc. along the way o/n Seward - Point of View Studio Suite
<b>July 26th - Seward</b> Alaska Sealife Center 'Behind the Scenes' Tour, Exit Glacier and 3pm Kenai Fjords Cruise (6 hours)
<b>July 27th</b> Spend a few hours around Seward before returning our rental car and boarding Celebrity Summit around 12pm. Depart on <b>cruise</b> ship at 9pm.
<b> July 28th - Hubbard Glacier viewing</b>
<b>July 29th - Juneau</b> - Planning on going to Mendenhall Glacier and possibly Mount Roberts Tram if the weather is good. Also some shopping!
<b>July 30th - Skagway</b> - Have booked Chilkoot Charters excursion - White Pass Train to Carcross with return bu bus to Skagway.
<b>July 31st - Hoonah </b> - We haven't booked anything here yet but I'm thinking of doing a bear viewing 'search' here. Sightings aren't guranteed though so I'm not sure.
<b>August 1st - Ketchikan</b> - Here we have booked a trip by floatplane to Anan Creek to see bears (mainly black I'm told).
<b> August 2nd - Day at Sea</b> - Hopefully we'll get some rest in!!
<b>August 3rd - Vancouver</b> - We disembark and meet up with Lynda and Jim and Kristina (Safarimama)... need I say more!!!! We fly to Chicago that night at 11pm arriving in Chicago at 5am. We have a room near the airport where hopefully we will catch a few zzzzz's. Hopefully we will get a few hours to wander and then its a 6.40pm flight from there back home to Shannon arriving August 5th - just a 2.5 hour drive home!!!! - Arrive home, tired but happy ... hopefully!
We were VERY lucky on our cruise portion - I spotted a FANTASTIC deal on Celebrity's website last week and switched from a balcony to a suite gurantee (this is where you don't book a specific cabin and let Celebrity put you in any cabin of the level you booked or sometimes, if you're VERY lucky, higher). Well, we lucked out! We got our assignment yesterday and we're in a 'huge' (by comparison) cabin for half the price we were quoted for a lower grade cabin back in January! I couldn't believe it! Hopefully this is an omen of good things to come - fingers crossed!
Imelda
Jul 10th, 2007, 04:06 PM
#38
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Imelda, your first week is very similar to mine (visiting same three national parks), except I flew into Fairbanks (which is closer to Denali) and back from Anchorage. In Denali, I was told to sit in the fourth or fifth row behind the driver, since he tends to keep the wildlife in view of these seats when he stops. I would advise against sitting in the back since they had bad angles and were more distant from the wildlife. You could visit Exit Glacier on any of your days in Seward -- its only eight miles or so off the main road (I didn't visit). I didn't visit the Animal refuge between Anchorage and Seward, and if that's something you really want to see, you'll need your rental car, but if you don't mind missing that, you can take an amazing train journey from Anchorage to Seward (I regret not having taken the train).
Jul 10th, 2007, 04:17 PM
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Wow - thanks for sharing these Michael. I'm glad you included photos of the viewing platform - I was having trouble visualizing how this works. This might be a dumb question, but are the bears accutely aware or do they seem bothered by the human presence?
Also off topic: Weren't you going to check on the ailing elephant we all signed the petition for? If you were able to do it, any news?
Cheers and thanks,
Sharon
Also off topic: Weren't you going to check on the ailing elephant we all signed the petition for? If you were able to do it, any news?
Cheers and thanks,
Sharon
Jul 10th, 2007, 05:37 PM
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Cooncat, the bears didn't seem bothered, but than again, I have never observed bears without a large group of people present, so I don't know if they act diffferently.
I had intended to visit the Alaska Zoo, but I ran out of time and decided to spend more time in the parks than the zoo. I believe the elephant is still there, though.
I had intended to visit the Alaska Zoo, but I ran out of time and decided to spend more time in the parks than the zoo. I believe the elephant is still there, though.
