bjprovo Loc: Northeast CT

You want bears? We never saw anything like Brooks Falls at Katmai NP when the salmon were running. We had fifteen brown bears at the falls at the same time.

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

Thank you for that info.

I too am trying to decide where to go and how to get there.

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

I love Bears !!!
Will keep that in mind too.

stableduck Loc: Chugiak, Alaska

I have a friend Mark who is a bush pilot for Rust flying service in Anchorage, if you can afford it its the only way to get some amazing places in Alaska. they also do photo safaris.
here is link to Rust Flying Service... http://www.flyrusts.com
Mark is also a photographer he will understand how to get the shots you are looking for. here is a link to his website... http://www.artwithinnature.com
you have to give your email address to view his gallery but he don't give out the info. he just want to see who s looking at his site. and how they found it
A couple other links that you might want to check out is the Alaska Rail Road http://www.alaskarailroad.com and Alaska Marine Highway System http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/index.shtml

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Bummer about not going to Africa. That's on my bucket list. Like you, I'm not going this year, but WILL ! ! be returning to Alaska. We'll be there for 3 weeks in July. We are constrained at one end by a wedding and at the other by a trip to Greenland.That being said, our interests are very similar to yours - bear and other large animals. We also threw in puffins and other seabirds for the heck of it. Actually, my interest in puffins was what started this trip to Alaska. Don't ask - "it's complicated"!

My husband has everything booked at this point. We will be 3 full days in Denali and will take the shuttle bus all 3 days. You are stuck on the bus, but are able to get off, walk around and get back on the next one - space permitting. On our last trip we were only 1 day in Denali but were blessed by clear weather. Even though all I had was a point and shoot, I got spectacular shots of the mountain from the road. We were also fortunate enough to be able to do the flight around Denali - CLEAR weather! I flew right seat so I did not get many shots from the air - cowling and wing blocked my shots. My husband and one of the others from our group got some really nice shots, though.
We also have a boat ride out of Seward scheduled as well as 3 bear viewing flights. NB: these trips are EXPENSIVE and you will be on very small planes. Our trips are booked on seaplanes, so our landings are not tide dependent. Weather and where the bears are determine where you wind up, but we will be shooting for Katmai and Brooks Falls. One is out of Kodiak and that could be either Kodiak or Katmai. One of the possibilities is Hallo Bay. Again - depends on weather and where the bears are that particular day. We also have a van tour scheduled for Kodiak. Wasilla and Hatcher Pass are on the itinerary, too. We'll be revisiting Exit Glacier (hike). The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center near Girdwood was not open when we were there on our last trip, but will be on this trip. We'll be right there in Girdwood for a couple of days, so we'll take the time to visit.
If you will be in Anchorage and are interested in airplanes and the history of bush pilots, take a couple of hours to stop at the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum (right near the airport). Lake Hood is in front of the museum - the largest seaplane base in the world.
My husband books and plans our trips and his personal advice to you is to start booking NOW!!! You will be going in high tourist season. MY additional personal advice is to purchase heavy duty insect repellent (40% deet) and USE it liberally. Also, consider purchasing a head net. The bugs are vicious that time of year.
Please feel free to PM me if you have specific questions.

wapiti Loc: round rock, texas

Silver Salmon Creek Lodge, Lake Clark NP

Paul Buckhiester Loc: Columbus, GA USA

Best time for views of the mountains in the interior is in the winter. Also there are very few tourists.
Best plan in summer is to rent a car and pick out a few good places. People die of hypothermia every summer so be sure you know what you're doing. Lower 48 camping equipment is often inadequate even in summer. Also be prepared for serious mosquitos anywhere there's permafrost. I mean serious!

twowindsbear

Really curious:

Are these YOUR photos - that is, photos that YOU made?

Or are they photos that you 'borrowed' from someone else??

SSam Loc: Sierra Vista, AZ

MRT6800 I 'guess' that you will have a great time no matter where you travel. Since our trip in approx 2005 things may have changed things. But, watch this video to see the things we enjoyed. While the photography isn't all that good, it still brings back good memories to us. :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkKReFpsCTQ
SamS

sheldonhy Loc: Randallstown, MD

While in Alaska 7 years ago, I took a flight seeing trip around Denali. It was an unusual day as the sky was a bright blue with no clouds. We landed on a glacier and the flight and scenery was awesome. No animals but flying that close to shear cliffs in a small plane was exciting to say the least. Clear days are rare, but a once in a lifetime adventure.

DougS Loc: Central Arkansas

I also recommend Kenai Fjords NP, we used Alaska Saltwater Lodge tour. It is a 6 person tour, Highly recommend it! We saw fin and humpback whale's, orca, seal, sea lions, birds, Dall sheep and porpoise, and spectacular scenery! I liked Kenai tour better than Juneau's whale tour, 8+ hour vs. 2 hour.
You will most likely see moose along the highway on the Kenai Peninsula and in town Homer.
Katmai NP for grizzly's. If you want black bear, drive the Stewart-Cassiar highway in BC, or between Skagway and Carcross YK, I almost hit two!
Bald Eagles are just about everywhere.

MtManMD Loc: Beaverton, Oregon

Denali bus trips will give you a lot of opportunities for good wildlife and scenery shots. Take the early AM buses before the casual crowds. I'd plan on at least two trips or more, and schedule over several days in the hopes of hitting good weather days. Most of the wildlife is between the entrance and Eielson. Although going on to Wonder Lake would be wonderful if you can do it on a clear day. These buses are by reservation and fill up quickly. Need to reserve days in advance. I've taken good grizzly, caribou, moose, wolf and Dall sheep photos on these bus trips.

Alaska Bear Adventures is another good and reasonably priced tour for the coastal bears.

Ted Evans Loc: Jasper, AL

We were there two weeks (inc cruise back to Vancouver with 3 onshore
stops.) Wish we had not taken cruise. Missed much
that we wanted to see. Do your homework. Study about the state and
Google contact several professional nature photographers. Ask many
questions. Read travel books from there. Do not miss Denali. Take the
bus in spring or at and of season - better chance to see the mountain.
Take strong telephoto lens. If you don't have one, rent one from Lens
Rentals near Memphis TN. ( very good). Go as far north as Fairbanks.
This is a one time trip unless you are wealthy. ENJOY. Ted Evans

SSam Loc: Sierra Vista, AZ

[quote=MY additional personal advice is to purchase heavy duty insect repellent (40% deet) and USE it liberally. Also, consider purchasing a head net. The bugs are vicious that time of year.[/quote]

After we crossed the USA/Canadian border we were able to purchase 100% Deet. If that is available, you have something 'additional' to consider.

SSam

the f/stops here Loc: New Mexico

MRT, I've been leading photo tours there for ten years and here are my favorites for the time of year you'll be there. Cordova while staying at the Orca Lodge. They can and will tour you and don't miss going down the Eak River. In Seward, a must is the Aquarium. Eagles in Homer near the spit. Denali tour to wonder lake. Try to exit at sunset for spectacular mountain views. Potters Marsh in Anchorage. That is just a beginning to locations in this photographers dream country. Best, J. Goffe