Spirit Bear 2010 Photography Tour

Along the coast of the Great Bear Rain Forest, British Columbia, Canada

Kermode "Spirit" Bear

September 8th – 15th, 2010

Join Outdoor Photography Canada Magazine contributing editor, Paul Burwell, for a full-featured photography tour in search of the Spirit or Kermode Black Bear along the coast of the Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia, Canada. Spirit Bears are Black Bears with a recessive gene that causes their furs to be white. They are not albinos and are not Polar Bears. About 10% of the Black Bears in the region are Spirit Bears. In addition to Spirit Bears, we’ll look for opportunities to photography Grizzlies, Black Bears, Humpback Whales and, if we’re lucky an elusive coastal Grey Wolf.

Our hosts originated Spirit Bear tours into this rain forest, and still offer professionally guided bear tours. They have had 100% finding Spirit Bears for their clients the last couple of years but since we are dealing with nature and wildlife, there are no guarantees that we’ll find a Spirit Bear.

This tour includes:

• Accommodation and meals aboard a 71′ sailing ketch whose crew have over 25+ years of experience guiding Spirit Bear tours
  • Meals will occasionally be eaten picnic style during shore excursions
• Shore excursions on the boat’s motorized inflatable
• Full use of the boat’s equipment including kayaks
• Opportunity to visit a remote native village along the coast.
  • There are no roads to the village and therefore all visitors arrive by boat
  • We’ll have the opportunity to learn of the history and ecology of the area from the natives
• A small group size, limited to 8 participants
• A tour for photographers by photographers
• All meals from lunch on the first day to breakfast on the last day.
• Exploration of the spectacular BC coast with its inlets, rivers, waterfalls, old-growth forests and wildlife.
• Healthy, hearty food including seafood, fresh salads, fruit, home-made soups and fresh baked breads and goodies
• Opportunity to become one of the tiny percentage of people who have viewed this amazing part of the coast and this unique bear.
• Special low pricing because this is the first year I’ll be running this tour
  • Prices will increase for 2010

Kermode "Spirit" Bear

Notes from the Tour Leader…

It is important to me that the trip be limited to individuals with a true passion for photography who can get along well in a group. A good group gives everyone the opportunity to share the prime shooting positions and works together to make sure that everyone is having a tremendous trip. For this reason, perspective participants will be interviewed to help determine their compatibility with the group. The group size is being limited to 9 participants to maximize comfort aboard the boat and minimize any crowding that might occur at shooting locations. This will help make sure participants go home with the best photos possible.

Individuals interested in a trip like this are often stuck in a tour with a mixture of vacationers, sight-seers and photographers. This can cause conflicts in the tour activities due to the differing levels of interest. By limiting the trip to serious photographers we can concentrate on photographic opportunities.

I was the President of an Internet services company for over 10 years where I developed an extensive history of working with and educating adults. I am currently a contributing editor for Outdoor Photography Canada magazine and a professional nature photographer. In addition to photography tours, I also conduct a number of full-featured photography workshops each year.

Itinerary

• September 7th: Arrive from home in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada. Flight to Prince Rupert and overnight accommodation at a bed & breakfast is NOT included in the tour pricing.
• September 8th: We depart Prince Rupert, British Columbia via float plane to rendezvous with the boat
• September 8th – 15th: We’ll be cruising, photographing, sleeping and eating on our comfortable home for the trip, a 71′ sailing ketch.
• September 15th: Arrive in Bella Bella, British Columbia our final destination. Overnight accommodation at a bed & breakfast is NOT included in the tour pricing.
• September 15th: Depart for home. Cost of the flight from Bella Bella is NOT included in the tour price.

Tour Costs

• $4,495 Canadian Dollars. Current currency exchange information between the Canadian dollar and your local currency is available here.
  • $1000 Canadian dollar deposit required upon reservation
  • Remainder of $4,495 Canadian dollars due by June 7, 2010

Policies and payment information are available here.

For additional information, please contact us at:
E-Mail: Contact us Electronically
Phone Toll-free: 1-877-778-1745

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