Spirit Bear & Great Bear Rainforest Tour
British Columbia
Wolf Photography Tour
For wildlife photographers seeking the opportunity to observe and capture images of wild wolves the Great Bear Rainforest experience tops them all.
Your guide, Tim Irvin, has a Master’s Degree in ecology and has partnered with local First Nations guide, Marven Robinson. Both Tim and Marven have spent years getting to know the territory and habits of a local sea wolf pack.
While wolves can be elusive, Tim and Marven have a very high success rate having seen wolves on every expedition since they began offering the tour in 2017.
Travel details
Due to the sensitive nature of this tour, travel details will be provided only to those guests who will be participating.
Location
We will focus most of our time in a location where we are familiar with the local wolf pack. However, to protect the wolves, we will not reveal the specific places we will go. What we can tell you is that these are island-dwelling wolves.
The islands we will visit are part of the outer coast of British Columbia’s archipelago. They are home to ecosystems not found on the mainland. They are also home to wolves that make much of their living from the sea. There are no bears on the outer islands, so wolves have no competition as the top carnivores here.
Overview
On these 6 and 7-Day expeditions, we will delve into the fascinating world of the coastal wolf. This adventure is specifically designed to provide you with the best possible opportunities for watching and photographing these elusive and beautiful carnivores and learning about their ecology. It is also an opportunity to camp out close to nature and immerse yourself in a wild corner of the Great Bear Rainforest that few people ever witness.
Expectations
Although the coast of British Columbia is a wildlife haven, the reason we are successful on these expeditions is that we focus specifically on wolves. Immersing ourselves in their world is the best way to increase our chances of success. Nonetheless, we can also expect to see a lot of birdlife including ospreys, sandhill cranes, peregrine falcons, bald eagles, and a host of shorebirds, all set within a backdrop of a beautiful and unique coastal landscape.
What to bring
A long lens (400mm and up), a wide angle and everything in between is what I recommend for this Wolf photography tour. Every wolf encounter is different and while close up shots are readily available, I encourage you to take full advantage of the the landscape for environmental shots. Having a variety of focal lengths will ensure you’re ready for any given situation.
Here’s my recommended kit for reference:
- Tripod
- 500-600mm F4
- 100-400mm
- 70-200mm
- 16-35
- 1.4 extender
- 2 camera bodies
The following is a list of the clothing you will need for your Wolf photography workshop adventure. The weather along the BC North Coast varies greatly from cold and rain to warm and sunny and everything in between. Proper clothing is essential for your comfort and enjoyment during the trip. We will be camping and shooting for long periods of time in all weather. When selecting your clothing, keep in mind the following principles about staying warm and dry.
It is very effective to wear layers of clothing to stay warm, as the air trapped between the layers acts as an insulator. Layering also allows you to regulate your body heat by adjusting the number of layers, depending on the temperature and your activity level. There are 3 main layers: Transfer which is the layer next to your skin; Insulating which is the main warmth layer(s); and, Protective which is the outer layer to protect you from wind, rain, and other elements.
Wetness increases the loss of body heat and is uncomfortable, so it’s important to stay as dry as possible. Some clothing is hydrophobic, and therefore, stays dry (i.e., synthetics such as polypropylene, polyester, capilene, and natural fibres such as wool and silk).Clothes made of these materials make great expedition clothing. Be careful of other materials (e.g., cotton and down), because they are absorbent and stay wet. Also, avoid overdressing as it can cause excess perspiration and therefore wetness.
If you wish to discuss specifics regarding which camera bodies and lenses you own and which ones are best suited to the trip, your photography guide will be happy to discuss that with you.
On the trip, your camera gear is best kept in a waterproof case or pack. It is crucial to keep gear dry while sitting in the rain. We strongly encourage you invest in a rainproof cover for your camera – both AquaTech and Think Tank Photo make excellent models that fit most cameras.
We encourage you to bring plenty of memory cards and/or ample hard-drive space or storage devices – the area is exceptionally photogenic and you may easily experience once-in-a-lifetime scenes. No drones allowed!
A sturdy tripod is recommended for long telephoto lenses.
Dates and cost
6 day trips
Trip Dates TBA: Inquire to have your name placed on the contact list
$6,609 + 5% GST + $100 First Nation Stewardship fee
Maximum 6 guests per trip
7 day trips
Trip Dates TBA: Inquire to have your name placed on the contact list
$7,550 + 5% GST + $100 First Nation Stewardship fee
Maximum 6 guests per trip
Cancellation Policy
Final payment will be due 60 days prior to trip departure. All deposits and payments are non-refundable, unless, upon cancellation, we are able to fill your spot.
What’s included
- Your wolf photography workshop includes 6 or7 full days of shooting
- Expert local guide
What’s NOT included
- Flights to Prince Rupert
- Food and Accommodations
Registration
Please contact us to begin the registration process for this workshop / course.
Workshops and Courses
Wildlife photography workshops or wildlife tours are a great way to get up close and personal with wildlife that you might otherwise never have an opportunity to shoot. View all upcoming tours
