Wolf Pups & Other Wonders of Katmai and Kodiak, Alaska
Aug 22nd, 2010, 11:24 AM
#21
Very interesting about Melissa getting Scout away from you all. What an incredible experience. You're awfully close to that whale in your kayak. Were you nervous?
Thanks for the terrific report and photos!
Thanks for the terrific report and photos!
Aug 22nd, 2010, 03:41 PM
#23
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Fantastic report once again Lynn 
! I almost booked a trip to Katmai for next year, and after reading your report, I am so glad I did not (It's a good thing 
, read on...)
Your report is just what I need to help make better plans, definitely the most detailed report available. Thank you so much for taking the time to post. After seeing the gray wolves, I'm even more determined to make a trip up there!
! I almost booked a trip to Katmai for next year, and after reading your report, I am so glad I did not (It's a good thing , read on...) Your report is just what I need to help make better plans, definitely the most detailed report available. Thank you so much for taking the time to post. After seeing the gray wolves, I'm even more determined to make a trip up there!
Aug 22nd, 2010, 09:17 PM
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Wow, Lynn - want to add my kudos to all the ones above. What a terrific and informative report. Glad you added the link on the Africa site. I would do anything for even ONE of those sightings - let alone everything you saw!
Had been thinking of making a trip to Baja next Feb. for the gray whale nursery, but having second thoughts now. I want the whales AND the bears AND the wolves AND the otters AND the puffins AND...
Thank you for bringing them home to us!
Had been thinking of making a trip to Baja next Feb. for the gray whale nursery, but having second thoughts now. I want the whales AND the bears AND the wolves AND the otters AND the puffins AND...
Thank you for bringing them home to us!
Aug 22nd, 2010, 10:03 PM
#26
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Fantastic report, really descriptive and the photos are stunning. The bear with the surprise seagull at Brooks is a standout. I just love the white wolf on the cliff and that photo of all the bears at Brooks is amazing. It seemed like there was so much to see and all so beautiful … how I wish I could go there one day, but who knows.
Aug 23rd, 2010, 06:44 PM
#30
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I have heard that until about 4 weeks wolf pups, coyote pups, and domestic dog pups are indistinguishable. So for the first month, I think it would work out fine, Crosscheck.
I did not even know the bird was in the photo. I was just clicking away.
In 2003 I went to Churchill for the polar bears. They were equally wonderful.
Thanks for the encouraging words.
I did not even know the bird was in the photo. I was just clicking away.
In 2003 I went to Churchill for the polar bears. They were equally wonderful.
Thanks for the encouraging words.
Sep 7th, 2010, 05:14 AM
#32
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Looking forward to reading the details of your trip, but I think I'll cheat and look at your photos first. Looks like you had a a great time. We just returned from our bear watching trip with Single Star about 10 days ago ... also had a fantastic time ... never got around to writing my blog or processing my photos, so I have a lot to do in the coming weeks to catch up.
Sep 7th, 2010, 08:36 AM
#33
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Lynn ... I'm back to add my compliments and thanks for the report. I really enjoyed reading the informative bits as well as your personal experiences with the sightings.
Like you, we've been to Churchill to see the polar bears. As terrific as that trip was, being able to sit with and walk amongst the bears of Katmai added an extra dimension to our brown bear watching trip that was missing from the polar bear trip.
Lee's quite the character isn't he? We enjoyed our week with him on the Single Star, and enjoyed meeting Kim as well. "Like family," is definitely a good description for them.
Thanks again for sharing your experience.
Erin
P.S. Here's a teaser photo from our trip (I think this bear was at Geographic Harbor) ... http://2totravel.blogspot.com/2010/0...om-alaska.html
Like you, we've been to Churchill to see the polar bears. As terrific as that trip was, being able to sit with and walk amongst the bears of Katmai added an extra dimension to our brown bear watching trip that was missing from the polar bear trip.
Lee's quite the character isn't he? We enjoyed our week with him on the Single Star, and enjoyed meeting Kim as well. "Like family," is definitely a good description for them.
Thanks again for sharing your experience.
Erin
P.S. Here's a teaser photo from our trip (I think this bear was at Geographic Harbor) ... http://2totravel.blogspot.com/2010/0...om-alaska.html
Oct 1st, 2010, 02:38 AM
#34
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atravelynn, now I know where you have been.
What a great report, you have sold me on the idea to go, even from the UK. The next Canada business trip sounds like the ideal time to extend the dates and take 2 weeks. The kayaking experience sounds fabulous, and I've always had the NW brown bears on my wb=nted list!
Many thanks again, I'm off to see your photos now!
What a great report, you have sold me on the idea to go, even from the UK. The next Canada business trip sounds like the ideal time to extend the dates and take 2 weeks. The kayaking experience sounds fabulous, and I've always had the NW brown bears on my wb=nted list!
Many thanks again, I'm off to see your photos now!
Oct 1st, 2010, 03:07 AM
#35
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Great photos of a fabulous experience, and your "Pleasant surpise picture of the trip" is truely a special shot.
Could I be a little geeky and ask about your camera kit, lenses, set-ups and post processing? Plus, any top tips on camera settings given the light, action and weather that you experienced.
Finaly, the kayaking is very very tempting for me. Talking photography and seawater and kayaks, are there any suggetions you would have?
Could I be a little geeky and ask about your camera kit, lenses, set-ups and post processing? Plus, any top tips on camera settings given the light, action and weather that you experienced.
Finaly, the kayaking is very very tempting for me. Talking photography and seawater and kayaks, are there any suggetions you would have?
Oct 5th, 2010, 09:31 PM
#36
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EEnusa,
The blog and photos are wonderful. I've wanted to read a report about the Single Star. What a fantastic trip you had. The cliffs looked familiar, as did the fog.
DRJO
For cameras I have a 2006 Sony H2 P&S which zooms up to 12x and a 2007 H9 which zooms up to 15x. I used a Trek Pod mono/tripod. Mostly I kept the settings on the green auto with continuous shoot. At the falls with the white water and often cloudy skies for a gray atmoshpere, I think overexposing is a good idea. If you have a remote button that clicks the shutter, that would be good while you wait and wait for a fish to jump, though I did not use one. I had plastic bags with me at all times in case of rain. Post processing, I have Photoshop Elements.
For photography on the 2-person kayaks, the best spot is in front. If you can get your kayak partner in back to agree to do the paddling when you are near the whales or whatever, you'll be ready. I shoved the camera into my life vest to protect it, wearing the strap around my neck. The kayak offers great low views. But a boat lends itself to easier photography because you could use a tripod, the camera and your gear can remain more at the ready than with a kayak, there is not the danger of getting the camera soaked, and you can swing around better to where the action is.
The blog and photos are wonderful. I've wanted to read a report about the Single Star. What a fantastic trip you had. The cliffs looked familiar, as did the fog.
DRJO
For cameras I have a 2006 Sony H2 P&S which zooms up to 12x and a 2007 H9 which zooms up to 15x. I used a Trek Pod mono/tripod. Mostly I kept the settings on the green auto with continuous shoot. At the falls with the white water and often cloudy skies for a gray atmoshpere, I think overexposing is a good idea. If you have a remote button that clicks the shutter, that would be good while you wait and wait for a fish to jump, though I did not use one. I had plastic bags with me at all times in case of rain. Post processing, I have Photoshop Elements.
For photography on the 2-person kayaks, the best spot is in front. If you can get your kayak partner in back to agree to do the paddling when you are near the whales or whatever, you'll be ready. I shoved the camera into my life vest to protect it, wearing the strap around my neck. The kayak offers great low views. But a boat lends itself to easier photography because you could use a tripod, the camera and your gear can remain more at the ready than with a kayak, there is not the danger of getting the camera soaked, and you can swing around better to where the action is.
Oct 29th, 2010, 12:30 PM
#37
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Gosh, back from E. Africa (and the Kenya board) and starting to work on my 2011 adventures. What a surprise to find you, Atravelynn, on the Alaska board with an amazing trip report and photos. I guess I need to check into all your trip reports and see where else I need to go.....thanks again for sharing!
Nov 2nd, 2010, 10:16 PM
#38
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We have lots in common Renoduck. I'm back from Kenya too and working on 2011.
Thanks for the comment and it gives me an opportunity to offer further praises of Katmai and Kodiak. I showed some of these photos in an album to a friend. Her comment was, "You must have spent your whole vacation looking through the camera to get these." Not so, and that's a good point to make. The animal activity in the photos was continual with plenty of time to just look along with focusing and photographing.
Thanks for the comment and it gives me an opportunity to offer further praises of Katmai and Kodiak. I showed some of these photos in an album to a friend. Her comment was, "You must have spent your whole vacation looking through the camera to get these." Not so, and that's a good point to make. The animal activity in the photos was continual with plenty of time to just look along with focusing and photographing.
Nov 3rd, 2010, 04:20 AM
#39
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Agreed atravelynn ... there was so much bear action on our trip, too, that after the first day, I spent more time watching than photographing ... and I still came back with a lot (I mean a lot) of photos.
Nov 5th, 2010, 10:55 AM
#40
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Great testimony Eenusa. You used a different company in the same location with the same great results.
The photos we have posted represent what your average visitor would see. Maybe we had a little extra luck in some areas, but these results are typical. Unlike some of those weight loss adds with the fine print, "results are not typical."
I still can't believe places like this exist.
The photos we have posted represent what your average visitor would see. Maybe we had a little extra luck in some areas, but these results are typical. Unlike some of those weight loss adds with the fine print, "results are not typical."
I still can't believe places like this exist.
