Chez

I will be going to Brooks Falls in July and am wondering if I need to take my 150 - 600 Sigma Sport lens or if my 70 - 200 with 1.4 extender will be sufficient to get good images there. Also are there any areas with benches around to sit on. Could be a really long day if we have to stand all day. Thanks for any ehlp.

SS319

I think I would opt for the Sigma although you may want a companion 16-135 range. I have a small, light(1 Kg) three legged camp stool with shoulder strap ($10-$20 on Amazon) which saved my A$$ in Alaska. Judicious use of DEET will help prevent camera shake (jerk, actually); the Mosquitoes have their own air traffic controllers....

Chez

Thank you for the input. I am leaning towards the sigma even though it is heavy. We did buy a three legs camp chair to take just in case there are no benches around.

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

We were there last July. I took my Tamron 150-600 mounted on my D7200. When shooting from the main platform (the one right at the falls), the 150 was sometimes too close. However, when shooting from the other platform, the 600 was not long enough. Fortunately, I had my Canon SX50 with me and used that when the 150-600 just would not work. I also had my Sony P&S with me for video.

I'm attaching 3 images you might find helpful.



We were there only for the day. If you are fortunate enough to be there overnight, you will have early and late access to the viewing platforms as well as the trails. The day we were there, the weather was pretty bad - rain and drizzle and overcast. The good news was that due to the weather, there were fewer people there as day-trippers than usual. The weather had socked in some of the float planes in other locations.

Be forewarned that you will need to sign up for a spot on the platform closest to the falls. Each person is allowed 1 hour viewing which is enforced by the rangers. If memory serves, 40 people at a time are allowed on thatt latform. It is 2 levels. The lower level is a bit closer to the action, but I found the perspective from the upper level to be better. Several people had tripods which severely impeded the mobility of those around them. I did not use a tripod, and did not need it. It would have limited my ability to move as quickly as possible to get the shot. Also, I found a good spot and stayed put. Even with the limit of 40 people, the platform was very crowded. Most people picked a spot and stayed there.

The platform that was downstream had no time limits, nor were the number of people limited. When we were not on the falls platform, we were on this platform. It did get very crowded at times. More than once, I had to elbow someone away from me who got entirely too far into my personal space.

From lower platform with Canon SX50


From falls platform with 150-600


From falls platform with 150-600 at 150

davefales Loc: Virginia

Great share. Thanks.

Chez

Those are some really great images. I hope I can get some decent ones. Unfortunately I will have to use either a tripod or monopod since I can't hold the camera steady enough to get somewhat sharp images. I assume that there isn't any benches along the way to rest on while there. Appreciate your information.

Thank you
Chez

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

Glad you asked the benches question again. There aren't any that I can recall. There are railings on the viewing platforms that you MAY be able to brace your camera on. I would consiider a monopod rather than a tripod. You would be extremely limited mobility-wise with a tripod. Also, you would more than likely be competing for spots with others with tripods. The rangers strictly limit the viewing time to 1 hour. Then you have to leave the platform, go sign up again, and wait for your next turn. The day i was there, we had 3 one hour turns on the falls platform. That, however, was only because of fewer than usual number of day trippers due to the bad weather. You may or may not be as lucky as we were.

When at the falls platform, I would suggest getting onto the upper level. It is wider than the lower part and easier to move around on.

Feel free to PM me with any other questions!

Chez

You have pretty much covered what I needed to know. Thank you much for the info.

ricardo00

Chez: Also are there any areas with benches around to sit on. Could be a really long day if we have to stand all day. Thanks for any ehlp.[/quote]

Yes Chez there are at least two areas with benches. The first is about half way from the walk to the platforms from where the float plane drops you off, just past the bridge. You go up on a platform area and you can sit down. Often there are grizzlies snorkeling there and you can watch and try to photograph them (probably need the 600m for that).
The second area is smaller and before the path where the Ranger stands and blocks those without permission to go to the second platform area (the falls area). You are facing the woods and away from most people (and the river). You can wait there and the Ranger will come get you when your number is up if you let them know you are there. When we were sitting there, a mom with cubs happened along, lay down for a nap and then a male came and the mom had to defend the cubs (sent them up a tree). I could photograph them with my iPhone then, it was that close! (but happened very fast and probably unusual). So bears can be anywhere and any distance, have point and shoot handy, even walking on the trails (the bears use them as well). Have a great time!
ricardo
https://www.flickr.com/photos/60519499@N00/albums/72157671316314736

(Download)

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

Yes Chez there are at least two areas with benches. The first is about half way from the walk to the platforms from where the float plane drops you off, just past the bridge. You go up on a platform area and you can sit down. Often there are grizzlies snorkeling there and you can watch and try to photograph them (probably need the 600m for that).
The second area is smaller and before the path where the Ranger stands and blocks those without permission to go to the second platform area (the falls area). You are facing the woods and away from most people (and the river). You can wait there and the Ranger will come get you when your number is up if you let them know you are there. When we were sitting there, a mom with cubs happened along, lay down for a nap and then a male came and the mom had to defend the cubs (sent them up a tree). I could photograph them with my iPhone then, it was that close! (but happened very fast and probably unusual). So bears can be anywhere and any distance, have point and shoot handy, even walking on the trails (the bears use them as well). Have a great time!
ricardo
https://www.flickr.com/photos/60519499@N00/albums/72157671316314736[/quote]

I just had a good laugh. This group looked awfully familiar so I had to DL your image so I could check your metadata. You took your image on July 18, 2016 and mine were shot on the 6th of July. Then I looked closely at a shot of Momma Bear that I took while she was at the base of a tree guarding her cubs, then compared it to yours, and I am willing to bet the she bears are one and the same. The one I shot had to fend off a big, aggressive male a few times. The ranger told us that the 3 cubs were only 6 months old and that the one particular male really wanted to get to them and do some serious harm. It was amazing to see the way that female protected her cubs.

Thanks for telling Chez about the benches at the waiting area. I'd forgotten about them since they are not right there at the platform. Maybe we should tell Chez about "bear jams". We hit 3 - 2 right near the bridge in the AM and then another when we were trying to get back to our plane in the early evening.

ricardo00

I think you did just tell Chez about the bear jams! They happened to us as well and that is probably one of the reasons they have the platform there so you can go up and sit down and be out of the way of the bears!
I happened to turn on the web cam the other day and I am pretty sure it was this same mom, though now it looked like there were only two cubs. They were near the water and she was fishing. She has distinctive ears, so I am pretty sure it was her.

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

Unfortunately, I think you are correct. Just took a look and I'm in agreement. This Momma bear seems a bit less "blond" than the one in your image and mine, but that's probably because she's wet this time. I couldn't get a good look at her ears, though. Now, I'm gonna have to keep looking!

Chez

A big thank you to both you and ricardo00. The wife was looking at ricardo's albums and really wants to go to Churchill now. Those were some outstanding shots in those albums. Thank you much guys.

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

You will have a fabulous time! You can repay us for our marvelous advice with photos from your trip(s).

ricardo00

Thanks Chez and Mrs. Chez! The problem with looking at photos, it wants to make you go to more places! If you like polar bears and don't mind the cold, the Churchill area is phenomenal. I have gone now 3 times, each time to a different place. There are now several lodges near the Hudson that you can stay at (for a price) and be really close to the polar bears.