Research the ports you'll be stopping at. Frankly, I suspect you'll have a much better chance of shooting whales then bear during the cruise - some of the ports access inland Alaska via plane only. The cruise will have tours for you to take, but you don't have freedom to leave the tour. You can probably also hire someone to take you somewhere, but you have limited time unless you want to swim to the next port.
Big question: Is August the right time for bears to be hunting salmon in streams? Don't they just catch them during salmon spawning time?
Will you be taking a land tour before or after the cruise? We saw bear in Danali, but that's inland. I recommend the land tour as well. Many of the cruise lines have associated tours by train.
Alaska is beautiful and you won't be disappointed. It's probably impossible to take a bad photo. We saw black bear, brown bear, humpback whales, bald eagles, dahl sheep, mountain goats, a lynx, fox, caribou, moose, and more.
Advice, take a long lens - you don't want to get too close to a bear. Do you know how to tell the difference between a black bear and a brown (grizzlie) bear (hint: not the color)? If a bear has you up a tree, a black bear will climb up and eat you. A brown bear will push the tree down and eat you [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
And enjoy the state bird: the mosquito.
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
I would look on the internet for some local guides in the places where the cruise is stopping and find out what types of photo opportunities will be available that time of the summer. The salmon runs taper off in august and depending on where you are, runs that come at the end of summer may not be in nearby rivers. I spent an amazing summer in the Kenai penninsula working in a state park. The salmon runs are something to behold, bears or no bears. You'll have a wonderful time. Good luck.
Jason
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
I have traveled to Alaska for the past two summers . First trip by ship and the animal viewing is for the most part all water life. Last year we went on our own to Brooks Falls and it is there that you will get to see the Salmon run and the Bears Fishing. The time to be there is July, but youhave to make reseverations a year in advance and pay for the trip. It is in a remote section of Alaska and access is by sea plane. The one spot that you might see bears when going by Ship is in Katachan, But not all ships stop there. All images (10,000 over two years) were shot digitaly and you can view them at www.girpgotos.com [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
If you have any specific quesions, please do not hesitate to ask.
Gary web page
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
dont mean to be nosy...i see you are from maryland. we vacation there (abut 30 mins north of baltimore...to see family) every October. We have been to the waterfalls and king and queens seat at rocks state park and we plan to visit Assateague Island (wild ponies!)again but any other suggestions for wildlife or scenic photos in the area?
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
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