ron_niebrugge

I would think the road will be opening late next summer given all the damage it received in November. Parts of it are gone completely. Here are some photos: http://www.nps.gov/archive/glac/gallery/110806.htm

I couldn't choose.  I think a polarizer, graduated ND filter and tripod

are all necessary tools of the trade.  This might be a little helpful with

<a href="http://my-photo-blog.com/graduated-neutral-density-filters">graduated

neutral density filters</a>.</p>

Hi Gloria, <p><p>

 

Driving the Alaska Highway is a great adventure, I do it almost every year. The name was changed from the Alcan to Alaska Highway a few years back, but it seems like most Alaskan�s still think of it as the Alcan. <p><p>

 

Make sure you work in the Canadian Rockies on one leg and drive the Cassiar Highway on the other. A trip to the coast is also a must � either Skagway or Hyder / Stewart would be my choice. The Milepost is also a must. <p><p>

 

Here is a little more on the <a href="http://www.wildnatureimages.com/DrivingToAlaska.htm">Alaska Highway</a>.

In recent years brown bears have become far more prevalent here in Seward. In fact the Anchorage Daily News did a recent story on the increase in encounters. Having said that, I don�t know of a place were you can reliably photograph them near town. I make noise and try to avoid them as they seem to be a little more unpredictable here as compared to Denali or Katmai.

 

I carry bear spray � if nothing else it makes me more comfortable. I know of a number of people who have used it with success. Nothing is perfect. I had a friend who was carrying a firearm near Seward and was mauled pretty badly by a brown bear. He said the thing picked him up by the face so fast he had zero time to react. Make noise and be very alert.

I thought I posted a follow up but I don't see it. To summarize, I like the Milepost and find it useful. I also like Jim's suggestion on Cordova - in fact I'm there now!

Paul, Here is some generic info that might be useful for <a href="http://www.wildnatureimages.com/FAQ%201.htm">Alaska Photography</a>. I don't know of any books like the Photographing the Southwest series for Alaska.

Hi Balaji, <p><p>

 

Glad you read my site. <p><p>

 

I don�t have any young ones, so my advice is limited. Tek can be a productive area, so spending time around camp could be beneficial. Otherwise I would ride the bus until you see something that grabs your interest, or until your young one gets antsy. Sometimes walking a short distance from the road and just sitting can be productive since you never know what might walk by. Heck at that time of year you can stay busy with just a few square feet of colorful tundra.<p><p>

 

The Wrangell�s are tough. I wouldn�t take an RV down either of the two roads (Nabesna or McCarthy). If you are renting a pickup and camper, then you might be ok. Here is the <a href="http://www.wildnatureimages.com/Nabesna_Road_Pictures.htm">Nabesna Road</a> in good weather. At there very least you could drive down to Chitna and the Copper River.<p><p>

 

Valdez is a beautiful drive, especially in September. The Paxon area is also beautiful then as is much of the drive between Anchorage and Glennallen. I like Jim�s suggestion of Cordova, that place is great if you have nice weather, although nice weather is harder to find there that time of year.<p><p>

 

Enjoy!

There are some great Forest Service cabins near Seward, but none of them can be reached by kayak. Alaska State Parks has cabins you can kayak to from Seward � Thumb Cove is probably the best one. Kenai Fjords National Park has the best cabins with ocean access in my opinion, but you will need to use a water taxi to get to them. They are located through out the Park, getting to the most distant ones will be expensive. I would use Weather Permitting for water taxi services.

I�m a little late to the party, but thought I would throw in my two cents.

 

Definitely rent a 4x4, you may not need it but if you do you will be glad it is there.

 

If you have never ridden on a dog sled, I would definitely add that to the must do list, it is a lot of fun. The operator here in Seward doesn�t offer winter tours as he is preparing for the Iditarod, but there are plenty of others.

 

I would definitely do a whale watching tour. You are certain to see Sea Otters and Sea Lions. You have a decent chance for Orcas, and an outside chance for Humpbacks. Reknown Charter is about your only option in the winter.

 

The Kenai Peninsula can get amazing Northern Lights but it takes a solar storm for that to happen. Your chances increase substantially as you head North, and East to a lesser degree. I read somewhere that Fairbanks gets them 4 nights out of 5. North of Fairbanks is even better.

 

Your gear should be fine in the cold. Just keep your camera bag closed for a couple of hours after coming inside.

 

Have fun!

Ellis, two more considerations came to mind. If you take the bus, make sure you go at least until Fish Creek. The Eileson (sp ?) Visitor Center will be under construction next year and beyond and Fish Creek will take its place. You need to go at least this far to get a decent view of �The Mountain".

 

If you want to go to Wonder Lake � scheduled service doesn�t begin until June 8th.

I have made numerous trips to Denali in early to mid-June, I think it is one of the better time of years there.<p>

 

That time of year is great for seeing new-born animals which can lead to numerous photo opportunities. Not only are

new-borns cute, but they are also the source of increased predation.</p>

<p>

It does tend to be dryer that time of year. I have been snowed on then, and one year had 80 degree temperatures, so warm

that it was hard to sleep in the tent at night. The mosquitoes usually start appearing around mid June; one day you may notice a few, the next day a

bunch. </p>

</p>The landscape just begins to turn green that time of year, the higher elevation are likely to be brown with snow remaining.

Wildflowers usually aren�t prevalent until later in June. The way the weather has been the last couple of years, this could all be different this year.

<p><p>

The visitor numbers are usually relatively low then. This might be helpful on <a href="http://www.wildnatureimages.com/FAQ%202.htm">

Denali</a>.</p>

Using a guide will give you access to more areas, and allow you to shoot in the valley for sunrise. The guides are willing to meet you early in the morning before the valley is open for the public. You can stay in the self-guided portion for sunset and drive out in the dark.

I really like

<a href="http://www.wildnatureimages.com/organ_pipe_cactus_national_monument_photos.htm">

Organ Pipe National Monument</a>, and it isn't too far from Tucson.  Of the

two <a href="http://www.wildnatureimages.com/Saguaro-Photos.htm">Saguaro

National Park</a> locations, I prefer the West, but there are good photo

opportunities at both.  Since they both have hills to the East, they seem

to get better light at sunset.  Mornings are the better time to see

wildlife, but wildlife isn't too prevelent in either park.  Take Gates Pass

Road to the West Saguaro National Park and you will pass through a beautiful

stretch that is part of the

<a href="http://www.wildnatureimages.com/Tucson%203.htm">Tucson Mountain County

Park</a>.  This County Park is also great place to shoot sunset.  The

old town of <a href="http://www.wildnatureimages.com/Tombstone-Photos.htm">

Tombstone</a> has tons of history and isn't too far away, but it is also a

tourist trap.  February is a nice time of year to be in Tucson!</p>

The tour buses don't go to Wonder Lake - so if you are on a bus to Wonder Lake, you are on a shuttle bus and can hop on and off all you want.

March is one of my favorite times of year in Alaska. Lots of snow and sun, and not too cold. It can be a good time for winter landscapes, and it is a great time for eagles in Homer.

Use your 1-4 and possibly a bean bag for shooting from the bus, but bring your tripod and possibly your 600 for shooting when you get off the bus. You can store your tripod and camera bag on the overhead shelf when you ride. Make sure you make the time to get off the bus or you may be frustrated. With the 1-4 I don't think I would even mess with the bean bag. You will need the 600 for bears and wolves, and at times for moose and caribou. Don't bother with it if you decide to go for sheep.

For photo opportunities near San Jose, Costa Rica - I don't think you could go wrong with the <a href="http://www.wildnatureimages.com/LaPazWaterfallGardensPhotos.htm">La Paz Waterfall Gardens</a>. It is a beautiful place with numerous waterfalls, butterflies and hummingbirds.

I would, it is nice to have the option to go to Wonder Lake, even if you don't travel that far. Most years, spring green would be more of an issue as well - but with this warm spring, summer is well on it's way - maybe two weeks ahead of most years.

Aeromap.com should have it. I would think they would be about the only ones. I have some images from a nearby mountain, but not the spot you are looking for.

Shooting from a helicopter is much easier then a plane, and for the best results, personally I don't think you can be shooting through the Plexiglas.

 

I have used Alpine Air out of Girdwood. They are happy to remove the doors from their helicopters, and they are about an hour flight to Seward, probably similar to Valdez. Most the plane charter operators will let you fly with an open window. I have also used Scenic Mountain Air in Seward, they are used to working with photographers and flying with the window open.

 

You may have a tough time finding a helicopter charter in Cordova, but there are a number of small air charter operators there.

 

I have used Wrangell Mountain Air out of Chitna / McCarthy. You could probably hit Cordova and Valdez from there with them. They have a Super Cub in which the windows open, but your shooting area is limited.

 

Juneau has a lot of helicopter charters, but they tend to be the larger ones used for cruise ship passengers. This makes them very expensive for private charter, and they won?t remove the doors for you with other passengers.

 

Good luck!

You have received lots of good advice. One more consideration, you might take a trip down to Seward and take a boat tour. They are starting the see Gray Whales now, along with Sea Otters and even a Walrus! Seward is a little over 2 hour drive from Anchorage.

 

Wrangell always reminded me a lot of Seward and vice versa.

I was there Wednesday and Thursday and it looked great! Ajo Mountain Drive, especially near sign 5 or 6 was especially colorful.

I think you can find good stuff just about anywhere in the Park. You will need to be out west to see the mountain, but those units can be harder to get and tend to have the most mosquitoes. If you get a sunny stretch, you might spend a couple days in a western unit for mountain shots, and then move east.

 

There is a book on the backcountry of Denali (Backcountry Companion - Denali National Park and Preserve ) that describes the different units, possible routes, etc. I would get that book if you don?t already have it.

I understand Google updated its image index about a week ago - I did some quick checking and see that not only myself, but Dan Heller, Scott Robertson and Frank Holub all have images now showing in the results.<p><p>

 

Ron<p>

<a href="http://www.wildnatureimages.com/">Niebrugge Images - Stock Photos</a>

Depending on where you stay near Arenal, make sure you have a view of the volcano - it makes it easier to monitor volcanic activity throughout the night that way. It reminded me of watching for northern lights. <p><p>

 

There was plenty of wildlife around Arenal as well. Watched Howler Monkeys right by the hot springs. Also saw monkeys near the Hanging Bridges Canopy Tour and near the Observatory.<p><p>

 

I didn't enjoy Dominical as much as the previous poster, but that may have had to do with the non stop rain we had the whole time there. I really enjoyed Manuel Antonio - that is where we saw the most wildlife.<p><p>

 

I think you will have a great trip! <p><p>

 

Ron<p>

<A HREF="http://www.wildnatureimages.com/Costa-Rica-Photos.htm">Costa Rica Photos</A>