2015 "Fishing Bears of Katmai" Photography Tour

2015 “Fishing Bears of Katmai” with ALASKA TROPHY ADVENTURES
August 8-14th, 2015

Cost $5849: / Deposit: $2000 (3 spots left)

Limited to 7 participants • Leaves from Homer AK

See magnificent Alaskan Brown Bears in their native environment fishing during the peak of the sockeye salmon run. The streams run red with salmon at this time of the year and the bear congregate in prime locations to feed on them. We stay at a remote tented camp with few other people in this true wilderness but our group and guide, it makes for an unforgettable quality photographic experience. This trip is timed for the peak of the red (sockeye) salmon run in the Hallo Bay region of Katmai National Park which provides us with great opportunities to capture the bears fishing for this important food source.

We spend the week hosted and guided by ALASKA TROPHY ADVENTURES photographing the Alaskan Brown Bears (Ursus arctos middendorfi) though they are often called Grizzlies, is one of the highlights of any wildlife photographers life. Unlike the bears at Brooks Lodge in Katmai National Park, which offers very limited viewing from crowded viewing stands, we’ll be able to see bears in their native environment doing what bears do naturally, with no other people but our group and guide. The bears are at ease with our presence and act naturally.

Our accommodations consist of a strategically located expedition style tented camp set up near the prime fishing areas of the bears. The camp comes with double occupancy expedition style shelters which you can stand in and are rated for four to six adults, once again we only place 2 people in each. We’ll have a privacy shelter for our toilets and a eating and lounging area shelter. The dinning is first rate. The great thing about this location is that we will have these beautiful bears (often with cubs) right out the door. I have chosen this location based on its exceptional opportunities for unique images and peaceful encounters.

D. Robert Franz and Franzfoto Tours acts only as a booking agent for Alaska Trophy Adventures an authorized CUA permit holder in Katmai National Park

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Our bear photography base camp operated by ALASKA TROPHY ADVENTURES will be only a short distance from our photography areas. Insuring you the most time with the bears. The camp will be placed on the fringes of the bears highest concentrations locations so photographing right from our camp will be possible most anytime. You will be able to capture great images of bears, wolves, foxes and eagles right from camp. You can expect to experience as much as 16 hours of photography in one day of bear viewing due to our base camp locations. This is the ultimate wildlife photography tour principally focused on the brown bear of Alaska.

ITINERARY:

Day 1 August 7 : Arrive in Homer Alaska.

Day 2 August 8: We fly out of Homer today in our chartered float plane around 9:30am. We’ll arrive at the camp in time for lunch. After lunch we’ll head out to photograph our primary objective Alaskan Brown Bears. Our goal is for you to take home the best photographs that conditions will allow.

Day 3-7, August 9-13: We’ll have 5 full days of exciting bear photography in Katmai National Park with ALASKA TROPHY ADVENTURES .

Day 8 August 14th: We’ll have a last morning of photography and then prepare to fly to Homer around 4pm. We should arrive in Homer by 5pm and you can depart for home anytime after that.

WHAT TO BRING:

Equipment: We recommend a minimum of 300mm telephoto lens for this tour in addition to a wide angle to normal lens (24-70mm or 24-105mm) lenses and a mid range zoom lens such as a 70-200mm. Zooms such as the 200-400mm, 100-400mm or 80-400mm would be ideal and could replace one lens. Digital shooters will want to bring along plenty of flash cards and a means to download images when cards get full. Portable hard drives that you can download directly to would be ideal. There will be electricity available for charging batteries and electronic devices. This is a solar powered camp so extended periods of overcast conditions may limit the charging. We always suggest you bring along 2 camera bodies if possible in case of equipment failure. Bring extra batteries for your cameras. A sturdy tripod and a good ballhead or gimbal head are strongly encouraged.

Clothing: Clothing should be comfortable and adequately cover a full range of weather conditions and temperatures. Expect everything from warm and sunny temperatures into the 60’s to very cool and rainy. Rain gear is a necessity. In the mornings temperatures will likely be in the 40’s to low 50”s so we recommend layering clothing, a warm hat and even a light pair of gloves would be advised. A sturdy yet light weight, comfortable and maybe waterproof hiking boot is suggested. Hip boots or waders are required. Felt soled boots and waders are illegal in Katmai National Park.

The cost of this tour includes a chartered float plane from Homer Alaska, 7 days photography, 6 nights lodging, guides, and all meals.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

GROUP MINIMUM: Occasionally, we are able to run a tour below our group minimum which is usually 4. In such instances it may be necessary to apply a small group supplement fee in which case you would be contacted regarding such a situation but you would not be obligated to accept the new terms.

RESERVATIONS: Your $2000 deposit is required to secure your place on any tour, with the balance due 60 days prior to the departure date. Deposits are fully refundable if cancellation is received at least 120 days prior to the departure date. Upon receipt of your deposit, we will mail you our acknowledgment and tour reservation form. Details of hotels, flight arrival recommendations, and other trip tips will be mailed when the tour is full.

MEALS: Some meals and refreshments are included depending on the trip details, but not alcoholic beverages.

ADMISSIONS: Access to public buildings and national parks etc. is not included in the land price.

CANCELLATION P0LICY: Due to the high number of cancellations we’ve received in the past several years a new refund policy has been implemented.

Cancellations more than 120 days ahead of the tour are refunded minus a $50 handling charge.

Cancellations between 60-120 days ahead of the tour will be refunded if the spot can be filled.

Cancellations less than 60 days ahead of the tour are non-refundable.

Franzfoto Tours strongly suggest that tour participants invest in trip cancellation insurance.

About your Tour Leader

D. Robert Franz have been full time professional wildlife photographer for the past twenty five years. With formal training and university degrees in wildlife management, geology and earth science, Robert has an extensive knowledge of the natural world. His nature and wildlife photography has been extensively published (over ten thousand published images including hundreds of front covers) worldwide with images featured in, Audubon Magazine, National Wildlife, Sierra Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, Defenders Magazine, National Geographic, Das Tier Magazine, Sports Afield, Field and Stream, and many more. Their photographic prints have hung in the Smithsonian and the United States Congress. They are also accomplished assignment photographers specializing in nature and environmental issues. Clients have included Adolph Coors, Wildlife Conservation Society, Field and Stream Magazine, The Trust for Public Lands, Via Magazine, Greater Yellowstone Coalition and others. Their photography is represented by a number of the worlds leading stock photo agencies such as Corbis, Getty Images, Alamy, Windigo Images, Okapia and Index Stock Imagery.

Robert has won many awards for his nature photography over the years. In 1989 Robert won the Colorado Outdoors Magazine Nature Photography Contest. In 1993 he won the Wyoming Wildlife Magazines Nature Photography Contest. Also in 1993 Robert and Lorri won an award for a published calendar image from the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History. In 2001 and 2004 Robert had winning images the prestigious Nature’s Best photography contest. In 2003 Robert won Image of the Year for Nature Photographers.net. In 2006, 2008 and again in 2010 Robert finished 2nd in the Images for Conservation Pro Tour of Nature Photography contest held in different locations in Texas. This is the world’s most challenging nature photo contest. In 2007 Digital Photography Magazine proclaimed Robert as one the worlds best wildlife photographers.

Robert has been leading photo tours since 1989 and now conducts high energy nature & wildlife photo tours through Franzfoto Instructional Tours. In the past Robert lead tours for Wildlife Images Photo Tours, Voyagers, Natural Habitat Adventures & Close Up Expeditions. Robert, his wife Lorri and their Great Dane Shelby live in the heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem near Cody Wyoming.