lightyear

I had a rental car from Anchorage and driving on the Kenai Peninsula, discovered a large creek or small river with many parked cars nearby. I parked and saw about 12-14 bears, some with cubs all catching Salmon as they migrated upstream. There were no problems of any kind, the bears ignored us, and some bears came up to within 30-40 feet of where we were on the bank. Denali: the National Park Service all lday bus from park HQ makes one rest stop on its way to the distant Denali Park visitor center. We saw a few sheep, some distant bears feeding but no way to photograph them. There is a lodge at Mirror lake( I think that is the lake name) just at the distant edge of the Denali Road. The bus went there , stopped for about 15 minutes to get better views of the mountain and turned around. I spoke to several photographers who were shooting Denali using tripods. They told me that the lodge had guides who took them to areas where they could shoot moose, bears, sheep, etc. The lodge seemed quite luxurious. The number of private cars permitted on the Denali road is limited, and is selected by lottery.

ronf78155 Loc: Seguin Texas

Thats a great starting point to help me plan my trip...Thanks

tennis2618

The weight issue is a concern for the flight to Africa, not the bush planes. The tour companies and bush planes all limit you to one bag per person plus carryon. The one bag is duffel bag size so you won't carry much clothing, but every camp I have been to has same day cleaning so three outfits plus a couple extra light shirts and is fine. Everyone looks the same every day and by the end of the trip you have worn the same outfit all day about half the time. Someone asked about batteries and battery chargers. Take a charger as you will have electricity available in your tent/cabin or at the main lodge.
And, yes, go to Africa and the Arctic. We've taken several great trips but the best have been two to Africa with A & K and one to the Arctic (between Eastern Canada and Greenland) and another to Alaska with Lindblad National Geographic. Both operators have wonderful guides and National Geographic incorporates wonderful photography into their trips.

silveragemarvel Loc: Keller, Texas

I just returned from 16 day southern Africa safari trip (S.Africa, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe). I had my Nikon D800e with Sigma 100-400mm lens for my wildlife shots (all hand held) and a Sony A6500 with 18-105mm for wide shots. I was very satisfied with the Sigma.

ronf78155 Loc: Seguin Texas

silveragemarvel.....Post some pics please

silveragemarvel Loc: Keller, Texas

I posted some pics in the Photo Gallery under Africa Safari photos.

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

I have traveled to Alaska twice with John Hall's Alaska (www.kissalaska.com) and was very satisfied.
2007--https://www.flickr.com/photos/8712554@N02/collections/72157601967848026/
2014--https://www.flickr.com/photos/8712554@N02/collections/72157648510965310/

ronf78155 Loc: Seguin Texas

Thanks David..........
wOw...some great pictures !
Ive been to Alaska twice and have visited most of the cities and ports. Now I want a trip for one purpose.....Wildlife Photography..... and specifically bears.
Im looking at flying in then taking a plane flight for a day of bear viewing. I looked into a lodge but the waiting list is over a year and then by lottery drawing!
Im seriously in the planning mode now and your pics have just cemented my determance to go next year
Thanks so much

Ron
Seguin, Tx

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

Thanks, Ron. I was not trying to take over the original post, but am glad you found some inspiration in my photos, anyway. Watched bears at the cannery at Kake (2014-15) and Hidden Falls fishery (2014-16).

oldfart93 Loc: Virginia

This is my first reply on UH. I am 93, have been in photography as a serious amateur for 75 years, and during the last 15 years have promoted, organized and 'hosted' (not guided) wildlife photo safaris to Southern Africa, mostly South Africa - have taken 40+ groups for a total of ~400 people. (These safaris are sponsored by The Wildlife Center of Virginia, US's leading native wildlife treatment and teaching hospital.) My vast experience has taught me that camera weight is somewhat important - tiring, but adds stability to hand-held, vs light weight (hard to wiggle something heavy). Full exposure control, FL, optical quality are obviously most important. I'm a Nikon Nut, currently using their D810 with Tamron's 150-600, a beautiful but heavy combination. My back-up is the Nikon Coolpix P900, is at least an all-in-one unit, relatively light-weight, and is turning out to be my up-front camera, with incredible optics out to 2000mm and very acceptable video. The only feature I consider a negative is shutter-lag, but with wildlife photography, anticipating animal behavior is the biggest secret anyway.

Barbara D Loc: Norfolk, VA

Hi OldFart93, I am going to Tanzania next year (early May) with WCV! I just purchased the Nikon B700. I know the B900 has a few more features, but I need to watch my budget. That being said, do you have any words of wisdom in regards to photographing in the wild?

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

Hey, Don. I was really impressed by your lion pictures until I came upon one wearing a collar!!! What's with that? The only lion I ever saw in Africa with a collar was in an orphan rehab clinic.
Don

Barbara D Loc: Norfolk, VA

It's possible that the collar holds a tracking device, hard to tell since we can't see the collar from all sides.