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Trip Report: Great Alaskan Bear Safari - June 2023
Trip Report: Great Alaskan Bear Safari - June 2023
by Casey Mannes
“The Mecca of Bear Photography”
The Backcountry Journeys Great Alaskan Bear Safari is the best possible option on the planet for photographing Alaskan Brown bears. This is a bold statement but stay with me. I'm going to prove my point to you.
The Backcountry Journeys Great Alaskan Bear Safari is the best possible option on the planet for photographing Alaskan Brown bears. This is a bold statement but stay with me. I'm going to prove my point to you.
The location, Katmai National Park, is one of the most pristine remaining environments left on the planet. There are over 30,000 bears in the region, and it is argued that it has the highest density of bears in the world. Katmai National Park is a perfectly cycling ecosystem and the heartbeat of this area is directly based on the great salmon run every year. Salmon are the backbone of this thriving wilderness. In the summer and fall months, the Salmon come in by the millions. Providing essential nutrients that the 30,000 bears need to make it through the next harsh winter. But it's not just the Bears that benefit from this incredible cycle of life, ITS EVERYTHING!
Moose feed on the plants that are fertilized by the decaying salmon. Wolves, Eagles, Osprey, Seagulls, Wolverines, foxes, and all aquatic predator animals all live off the sustenance from this magnificent Salmon run. I have never in my life seen such a perfect flow of nature completely untouched by human interference.
Moose feed on the plants that are fertilized by the decaying salmon. Wolves, Eagles, Osprey, Seagulls, Wolverines, foxes, and all aquatic predator animals all live off the sustenance from this magnificent Salmon run. I have never in my life seen such a perfect flow of nature completely untouched by human interference.
And if the wildlife wasn’t enough for you, there’s more. the background is comprised of a vast landscape of massive snow-capped mountains, beautiful coastlines, and crystal-clear rivers. This magnificent place is a nature photographer's dream, which is why, 10 years ago, I decided to make this place my home.
Now, what sets this trip apart from others goes beyond the subjects you get to photograph. It’s the experience of being inside one of the last perfected and fully intact habitats that still to this day is thriving. It genuinely feels like you get a chance to see what the world would be like if humans had not had such a drastic impact on the land.
And beyond that, the people who are tasked with taking care of you out there are the best of the best. The pilots and guides put safety first. We each have over a decade of being with these apex predators in their territory. We’ve regularly observed them and gotten to know them individually based on their habits. And we’ve watched them grow from Cubs all the way into dominant males.
Our pilots have more Beaver (the type of planes we fly from location to location) time than anyone else on the planet. Jerry Jacques is one of the most well-known pilots in Alaska and out of the hundreds of Pilots I’ve flown with personally he is the best. He takes more precautions than anyone I know, and you just feel safe in the air with him.
Our pilots have more Beaver (the type of planes we fly from location to location) time than anyone else on the planet. Jerry Jacques is one of the most well-known pilots in Alaska and out of the hundreds of Pilots I’ve flown with personally he is the best. He takes more precautions than anyone I know, and you just feel safe in the air with him.
So why choose this trip over others? Well, the answer is simple: You get to experience multiple locations that no other photography groups have access to while having the luxury of 5-star meals and a comfortable bed at the end of the day. Jerry is the connection that gives us opportunities to see places no one else has the knowledge or skills to access.
On this last trip he flew us to a remote location that I had personally never heard of. When we arrived, there were over 30 bears in sight and an absolutely beautiful waterfall where bears were chasing salmon. I genuinely couldn't believe my eyes.
On this last trip he flew us to a remote location that I had personally never heard of. When we arrived, there were over 30 bears in sight and an absolutely beautiful waterfall where bears were chasing salmon. I genuinely couldn't believe my eyes.
A couple of guests and I hiked down a little further to get a lower perspective of this mother brown bear with her 2 cubs. As we got set up, both cubs climbed up on her back and all 3 stared directly into our lenses. It was a moment I had dreamed of for years and I couldn't believe how well everything came together.
If that wasn't enough, shortly after this encounter I noticed a pack of Wolves fighting with two massive Brown bears over a moose carcass. I genuinely couldn't believe how lucky we got, when we got back to the planes, I told Jerry what we had seen and he didn't seem surprised. His response was something along the lines of “sounds like an average day” which to me means it's like this frequently.
This trip was one of those experiences where I felt it hard to believe that this is my job. I can’t wait for our next Great Alaskan Bear Safari and I’m looking forward to meeting those of you that will Join me on our next trip.
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AUTHOR
AUTHOR
Hey everyone, my name is Casey Cooper!
I am a boat captain, pilot, photography/fly-fishing guide, and freelance photographer. I grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where I spent the first 21 years of my life before hitting the road.
Between the Alaskan Summer fly fishing seasons, I spend my time traveling the world, checking off one bucket list item at a time – and capturing photographs along the way.
I specialize in both landscape and wildlife photography. There is nothing that gets me as high as capturing the beauty of this planet and the incredible creatures that live amongst us and how important it is to preserve the remaining beauty of our natural world.
Through my photography, I can take a creative approach in sharing the magnificence hidden within the crevices of Mother Earth.
I am a boat captain, pilot, photography/fly-fishing guide, and freelance photographer. I grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where I spent the first 21 years of my life before hitting the road.
Between the Alaskan Summer fly fishing seasons, I spend my time traveling the world, checking off one bucket list item at a time – and capturing photographs along the way.
I specialize in both landscape and wildlife photography. There is nothing that gets me as high as capturing the beauty of this planet and the incredible creatures that live amongst us and how important it is to preserve the remaining beauty of our natural world.
Through my photography, I can take a creative approach in sharing the magnificence hidden within the crevices of Mother Earth.
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FEATURED TRIP:
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Dolomites in Summer
Discover the enchanting landscapes of the Dolomites in Summer. Capture breathtaking images of wildflowers, dramatic alpine peaks, and quaint villages on this world-class adventure!
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BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLCs - Copyright 2024
BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLC - Copyright 2024
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.