I was planning this trip for the last couple of years. Covid prevented us from going last year, but this July it became a reality. Originally, I wanted to go to Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park. After contacting several bear viewing businesses in Homer, I booked our trip with Emerald Air Service. While they do have day trips to Brooks Falls, they also offer a guided field trip which is a 5 hour walking adventure. After some discussion, we decided on the guided trip and we couldn’t have been more pleased. Our guide, Lance, was very knowledgeable and with a small group of 8, it made for more of a personal experience.
I carried my D850, Nikon 200-500 f/5.6 along with my 70-200 f/2.8. Needless to say, the 200-500 was used for about 99% of the 600 images taken that day. I brought my travel tripod, but found it more trouble that it was worth since we were always on the move except when we stopped for lunch. In hindsight, I should have brought my mono pod. Regardless, we had a wonderful experience and would easily do this trip with Emerald Air again. Here’s are a few images from the day.