July 21 to 27, 2010
BIRDS AS ART Approved
Photographic Instructional Workshop by Robert Amoruso
Lake Clark National Park, AK – Silver Salmon Creek Lodge
Coastal Brown Bears and Puffins
Arthur Morris’ BIRDS AS ART approved
(REDUCED PRICE BY $400. FULL COST NOW $4395)
Powerful and proud Coastal Brown Bears (larger than their inland counterparts the Grizzlies) catching salmon, colorful island-dwelling Horned Puffins, majestic landscapes and more – a photographic trip to Alaska can be the trip of a lifetime.
Join Robert Amoruso for a unique adventure; photographing Coastal Brown Bears who gather to sedge amongst the grasses of this coastal plane, catching salmon or clamming on Cook Inlet at the mouth of Silver Salmon Creek. We arrive the morning of July 21st and depart in the afternoon on July 27th - photographing in the afternoon the day we arrive, each morning and afternoon thereafter, and then on the morning of our departure. Though the bears are the highlight, we will be making a one trip to Duck Island for Horned Puffins and Common Murres.
Our accommodations are at Silver Salmon Creek Lodge on Cook Inlet in the National Park. If you think you will be roughing it, the fine double-occupancy sleeping quarters and excellent meals will dispel that notion upon your arrival. Our host, David Coray goes the extra mile to assure all are happy with their lodge experience.
In August of 2007, I co-led a workshop with Artie Morris at this location with great success – read his report at www.birdsasart.com/bn240.htm. In August 2009 I led a workshop again to this location with great success – read my report here http://www.wildscapeimages.biz/blog/?page_id=74. My image below from the 2009 trip won a 2010 NANPA Showcase Tier III honor.
My image below from the 2007 trip won a 2008 NANPA Showcase Top-Ten honors.
Between morning and afternoon photography sessions, our indoor sessions will cover light angle, composition, in-the-field techniques, long lens technique, brown bear panoramas, High Dynamic Range Imaging, Photoshop and more.
Those attending must be in Anchorage by July 20th for an early departure aboard a float/bush plane on the 21st. Workshop fees include float/bush plane flight to and from Anchorage and the lodge, all meals at the lodge, guide service, transportation to and from shooting locations, accommodations and, of course, expert instruction in the field and at the computer. Travel to and from Anchorage and accommodations and meals in Anchorage are not included.
How is the workshop structured?
The workshop begins in the afternoon of July 21, 2010 when we commence our first in-the-field photography of the bears and ends on the morning of July 27, 2010 after we complete our last morning of photographing the bears. On our full days there, we will be photographing in the AM and PM as the tides and weather predict. On at least one morning or afternoon, we will travel to the Duck Island, disembark the boat and spend time photographing the puffins, murres and other birds of the island. Little walking is needed and you will not need to scramble among the rocks to get great images.
Birds in flight images are possible on the island with medium and long telephoto lenses. If you have a favorite medium length lens that you favor for BIF’s like a Canon 400mm f/5.6 you may want to bring it.
Our bear photography will occur on the flat coastal plains where Silver Salmon Creek and Cook Inlet meet. Waders are a necessity here (see Weather and Clothing Recommendations). Bear photography also occurs in the sedge grass that grows between the lodge and the ocean. Again, wet conditions exist and waders are a good bet.
If you want to get low, a rain-suit combined with the waders will keep you dry. Many times, I kneeled and lay down and was glad to have had a full rain-suit (jacket and pants).
Itinerary for the workshop:
July 21st: Wednesday afternoon.
- Settle into our rooms.
- Lunch.
- Short bear briefing on how to be around the bears, traveling to the photo sites, safety, etc.
- Mount up and head out to the grass or beach for bear photography.
- Return for a hearty super.
- Sleep.
July 22nd to the 26th: Thursday through Monday full days.
- Mornings:
- Morning bear photography will normally occur before breakfast.
- Return for breakfast.
- Indoor session followed by rest time or vice-versa.
- Afternoons:
- Lunch
- Indoor session if not done in the morning.
- Afternoon bear photography.
- Evenings:
- Return from bear photography.
- Super.
- Rest and sleep.
July 27th: Tuesday morning.
- Head out to the beach or meadows for bear photography.
- Return for breakfast.
- Get ready to leave and assemble for transportation to the beach for the flight back to Anchorage.
One of our mornings or afternoons will include a trip to Duck Island for puffins and other birds. Our indoor sessions will cover creative image making of bears, techniques for use on Duck Island, Photoshop and workflow.
Our Accommodations, Guides and Transportation in Lake Clark NP
We will be staying at the famous Silver Salmon Creek Lodge (SSCL) owned by David Coray. SSCL’s accommodations are the best and if you have not been there before, you will be pleased with the warm beds and great food SSCL offers you after a hard day’s work photographing bears and puffins. The image below shows the main lodge and dining area (upper level). Other buildings a short walk from the main building provide double sleeping accommodations.
As part of the workshop fee, we are provided with an experienced guide knowledgeable with working around the bears. Transportation from the lodge to our shooting locations is by personnel carts pulled behind an ATV. The ATV transverses well worn but still rough paths to the beach (for clamming and salmon fishing bears) and meadows (sedging bears).
Download the Workshop Brochure at
http://www.wildscapeimages.biz/storage/PIW/2010-SSCL-Bear-PIW.pdf.
Cost & Terms
- $4795 $4395 per person for 7-day workshop. New Reduced Price.
- Hotel, meal and travel costs to and in Anchorage are not included.
- The workshop fee covers airplane travel to and from the lodge, lodging at Silver Salmon Creek, all meals and a good time to be had by all.
- A gratuity for the staff and guide(s) at the lodge is welcomed and is generally $200.
- A 25% deposit is required to reserve a spot, an additional 25% will be due by March 21, 2010, and another 25% on April 21, 2010 and the remaining 25% will be due by May 21, 2009. If you book a spot, the amount due is based on the previous schedule (i.e., book after March 21th and 50% is due – book after May 21h and the full amount is due).
- Refunds will only be issued for cancellations if the workshop is full and we can fill your slot. In the unlikely event the workshop is cancelled due to conditions beyond our control, full refunds are issued.
- Please send your check payable to Robert Amoruso at the following address. Credit Cards and PayPal can be honored but checks, money orders or bank checks are preferred and encouraged.
Robert Amoruso
Wildscape Images
12472 Lake Underhill Rd., No. 148
Orlando, FL 32828
- If you have any questions about the workshop, please contact Robert Amoruso at wildscapeimages@att.net / 407-808-7417 (mobile phone).
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