Wildlife Photography in Alaska

Wildlife photography in Alaska

If you’re looking to hone your wildlife photography skills, there’s no place in North America like Alaska when it comes to the breadth and depth of photographic subject. Blessed with a fjord-filled coastline, temperate rainforests in the south, Arctic tundra in the north, and snow-capped peaks everywhere you turn, it’s no surprise that Alaska’s wildlife is just as dramatic as its scenery. From fearsome bears to loveable puffins, the biodiversity of Alaska is amazing, and the animal populations are so large that it becomes a question of how many you’ll spot. 

Here are the three top wildlife photography experiences to be had in America’s Last Frontier...

1: Marine life and landscapes in the fjords 

Mist or shine, floating through the fjords of Alaska’s coastlines is a scenic treat – and if you’re fortunate enough, you’ll also spot some marine life. Admire a humpback whale breaching from the ocean’s depths, glimpse sea otters corralling the buoys and ice floes, hear noisy sea lions chatting away and admire the orcas and Dall porpoises weaving in and out of the blue waters.

The local seabirds are equally photogenic – tufted puffins and crested auklets are prized by photographers for their striking appearances. 

There’s no shortage of places to go, but for the best combination of scenery and wildlife Prince William Sound, Kenai Fjords and the Sitka Sound are a must. Visit them on an expedition cruise. Ideal for landscape and wildlife photographers, these cruises come with numerous viewing platforms as well as zodiac boat excursions on the water. They also include tuition from expert photographers, so you can learn from the best. 

Discover incredible wildlife on an expedition cruise.

2: The salmon run 

Few wildlife photography experiences are more sought-after than snapping a well-timed shot of a bear catching some salmon – mouth wide, fish ready to be eaten. The salmon run occurs every summer when the salmon leave the sea and swim upstream to lay their eggs. Swimming against the current and leaping up the waterfalls, this mass of fish draws a variety of predators, most notably bears.

The best time to view this spectacle is during July and August. Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park has a wooden viewing platform which, while occasionally crowded with onlookers, means the bears are used to the presence of people, so you won’t be disturbing them.

Enjoy the wilderness and wildlife of Alaska.

3: Spot Alaska’s Big 5 in Denali National Park 

No Alaskan photographic experience is complete with a visit to Denali National Park. Home of North America’s highest mountain peak, a vast expanse of boreal forest, Arctic tundra and crags sit in Mount Denali’s shadow, as do what is referred to as the Alaskan Big 5: wolves, moose, bears, caribou and Dall sheep. There’s a realistic chance of spotting them all, and chances are your sightseeing will begin as soon as you enter the access road. Just don’t forget to get your camera ready!

Discover Alaska by motorhome.

For more information, please visit www.journeyscape.com/usa/alaska. Journeyscape offers inspiring, authentic and extraordinary journeys delivered with exceptional customer service across North America.