Queen Charlotte Islands Photography Tour - British Columbia, Canada
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Join John for a Queen Charlotte Islands Photography Tour on the West Coast of British Columbia Trip Dates: June 30th - July 8th, 2012 Trip Availability: 1 of 7 spots remaining Contact John to reserve a spot on the 2012 Queen Charlotte Islands Photography Tour  Standing Totems at Ninstints (A World Heritage Site), the San Christoval Mountains, and Steller Sea Lions
This trip is specifically designed for photographers to bring their spouse or partner along if they choose to, because it offers up such a variety of activities and photographic subjects. Rather than sitting around waiting for a bear to show up (like on my Spirit Bear Tour or Grizzly Bear Tours), this tour will be full of things to do: hike to the alpine, photograph the sea anemones along the shore, sea kayak into a tiny cove, marvel at 10,000 year-old Haida sites, or simply relax on board and look for whales and sea lions. We'll be going from dawn to dusk looking for amazing photo opps, but there will also be plenty of chances for photographers or their partners to relax as we move from one location to another, or to choose to do another activity. What are some of the things that make the Queen Charlotte Islands so incredible? They possess biological and cultural treasures that are duplicated nowhere else on earth. In fact, the South Moresby area of the Queen Charlottes has one of the most plentiful Temperate Pacific Marine Zones in the world and boasts a ridiculous array of riches that include towering old-growth forests of sitka spruce (including some of the largest sitka spruce in the world) and red cedar carpeted with thick mosses, scenic bonsai bogs, and gorgeous alpine forests and meadows. There are a number of major salmon streams, and an incredibly diverse intertidal zone full of sea cucumbers, sea anemones, and sea stars (in some places the intertidal marine ecosystem is almost too rich to believe -- there are locations where you can't see the rocks/bottom because of the glorious rainbow of colourful marine life). The islands also harbour the largest Stellar sea lion population in B.C. and are home to whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and even sea otters. And while the biological treasures of the Queen Charlottes are truly spectacular, they are almost outdone by the cultural riches. The Haida first nations people have inhabited the islands for more than 10,000 years and habitation sites of various vintages are easily visible. Weather permitting, we will visit Windy Bay (Hlk’waah), Burnaby Narrows, T’anuu, and Sgan Gwaii (Ninstints), the hallmark of historic sites with its large standing totems. On my first visit to Ninstints ten years ago, I was so humbled by the sight of the totems that I had trouble putting it all into photographs. I can't wait to go back and try again! All in all, your week aboard the Ocean Light II is designed to give you access to the best Gwaii Haanas (South Moresby) has to offer from a photographic perspective; from abandoned Haida villages such as T’anuu and Ninstints, to the magnificent Pacific northwest rain forest, to intriguing natural history displays such as busy sea lion haul-outs and colourful intertidal areas. The exact itinerary of your trip will be dictated by weather and sea conditions; however, we will use the long days to maximize your time and experience in the Charlottes. Sailing opportunities are limited as our prime objective is to use the Ocean Light II as a mode of travel between the spots of special interest exploring these areas on foot and by kayak and inflatable. The Ocean Light II was chosen for this trip because the boat and crew have the reputation of being the best at what they do when it comes to operating wildlife and nature photography trips on the B.C. Coast. You can expect professional service, superb guiding, good food, and clean, comfortable quarters. We will photograph from the main boat deck, as well as from a motorized inflatable and from land depending on our subject matter. The photography will be challenging on the water; you can expect to photograph with and without tripods/monopods in a variety of weather conditions. We have chosen to limited the group size to five photographers and seven total participants (plus John) to maximize your space on the boat decks and in the inflatable and to provide you with the best trip possible. Note: there will be some photo instruction on this tour as an added bonus. Participants will also be encouraged to share and critique images each evening.  Sea Stars, South Moresby Island, and a Humpback Whale Fluke
This itinerary is a sample only – the exact itinerary of our trip will be dictated by factors such as weather, tides, and photo opportunities, with the crew working within the parameters of safety, time, and the highlights of the area. You must arrive in Sandspit on June 30th, prior to the start of your expedition. Those wishing to spend some time exploring before or after the trip can travel north to Graham Island to visit Queen Charlotte City, the native village of Skidegate, and the Haida Heritage Centre and Haida Gwaii Museum near Skidegate Landing. Upon your arrival in Sandspit, you'll check into the Bed & Breakfast we have arranged for you and will gather for dinner in Sandspit to chat about the upcoming trip and meet everyone. Day 1 (July 1st) – In the early morning you will be taken by van/zodiac or by plane to meet the Ocean Light II. You may begin your trip with a visit to the magical moss-laden remains of west coast artist Emily Carr’s favourite Haida Village, T’anuu or “Seagrass Town”. Days 2 through 7 – Beyond T’anuu, we may take the Inside Passage through beautiful Darwin Sound with its steep-sided mountains into scenic De La Beche Inlet. If weather permits we may venture along the east side of Lyell Island and into magnificent Windy Bay (Hlk’waah), a primeval watershed of ancient cedar and spruce forests. Further travels include cruising along the Tar Islets, and through Juan Perez Sound – where the fabulous Hotsprings Island lies. Across Juan Perez Sound is Burnaby Narrows with an incredibly rich display of intertidal life. This area also affords access to the Charlottes’ alpine, with its ornate bonsai bogs studded with miniature sundew. The narrows open southward into Skincuttle Inlet where we witness the unique and sometimes bizarre nocturnal habits of many of the nesting seabirds. We leave the East Coast through Houston-Stewart Channel, passing by the old whaling station at Rose Harbour to the open West Coast. Here we visit Sgan Gwaii (Anthony Island), cultural site of Ninstints Village with its great display of Haida totems and spiritual ambience from the powerful past of its former residents. We may also have an opportunity to visit many of the surrounding inlets and western shores of Sgan Gwaii to view seals, sea lions, and breathtaking seascapes. Day 8 – An early morning zodiac/van or plane will take you back into Sandspit. In order to accommodate any delays in returning to Sandspit, please book the afternoon flight to Vancouver. This trip requires a moderate level of fitness and will involve a bit of walking and hiking on uneven and wet terrain. Participants should be mobile enough to climb ladders and get in and out of a zodiac. The photography will be split between shooting from the deck of the Ocean Light II and from a zodiac, and from shooting with tripods on land. Expect the photography to be challenging, but rewarding! The Queen Charlotte Islands Photography Price includes accommodation and dinner in Sandspit on June 30th, and breakfast on the 1st. All Canadian Wildlife Photography Tours are non-smoking tours. Participants will be required to sign a waiver. Please note that a $1000 non-refundable deposit via cheque or email bank transfer is required to reserve your spot on the Queen Charlotte Islands Photography Tour. The balance owing, including hst, is due 120 days prior to your trip departure and is also non-refundable; however, upon cancellation, this balance owing may be transferred to another workshop or tour if John is able to fill your spot. We highly recommend all workshop and tour participants purchase independent trip cancellation insurance to protect against unforeseen circumstances. Contact John now to reserve a spot on the 2012 Queen Charlotte Islands Photo Tour
Stay Tuned for More Information on John's 2012-13 Wildlife Photography Trips and Tours
Contact John if you are interested in more details as they become available for 2012-13 photo tours and workshops |