Morning & Travel:

• Travel to Campbell River, Vancouver Island: Independent travel to the designated pick-up location in Campbell River, a picturesque town known as the "Salmon Capital of the World."

• Mid-morning Boat Transfer: You will be met mid-morning at the Campbell River dock for a scenic transfer via boat. This journey offers the first glimpses of the Discovery Passage and the rugged, forested islands that define the region.

Afternoon & Orientation:

• Arrival at Nanook Lodge, Stuart Island (Approx. 1:00 PM): Arrive at the remote and cozy Nanook Lodge, your home base for the expedition. You will be welcomed with a hearty lunch immediately upon arrival.

• Presentation & Workshop (30 minutes): Following lunch, participate in a focused workshop session. The guide will provide an overview of the week's planned excursions, safety protocols, and, crucially, a detailed presentation on photographing bald eagles in flight. This session will cover:

  • Eagle behavior and flight patterns.

  • Essential camera settings for sharp action shots (e.g., shutter speed, aperture, and continuous autofocus modes).

  • Compositional tips for maximizing the impact of your eagle images.

• First Photography Excursion: The afternoon is dedicated to your first photography excursion. You will travel by boat to prime eagle feeding grounds, allowing you to immediately practice the techniques learned in the workshop. This session focuses heavily on dynamic action photography.

Evening & Overnight:

• Pre-dinner Social: Relax and mingle during pre-dinner drinks, either on the rustic outdoor deck overlooking the water or inside the warm, welcoming lodge lounge.

• Dinner: Enjoy a delicious, freshly prepared dinner featuring local Pacific Northwest cuisine.

Morning Preparation & Excursion:

• Breakfast: Start the day with a full breakfast at the lodge.

• Morning Briefing (30 minutes): Before heading out, attend a focused presentation on the day's primary subject: coastal bears (black or brown, depending on location and season). This briefing will detail:

  • Bear safety and ethical viewing distances.

  • Behavioral expectations and common feeding patterns (often tide-dependent).

  • Recommended camera settings for low-light forest environments and wildlife in motion.

• Bear Photography Expedition: Travel by boats in the early morning to the remote estuaries and shorelines of Bute Inlet. The excursion is carefully timed to coincide with low tide, as this is when the bears are most likely to be foraging for crabs and other food along the exposed shoreline. This is a crucial time for capturing natural foraging behaviors.

Mid-day Break & Afternoon Photography:

• Lunch and Break: Return to the lodge for a midday lunch and a short break, allowing time to recharge batteries and quickly review morning captures.

• Afternoon Excursion: The focus returns to bald eagles in the afternoon. This excursion may target different locations or lighting conditions than Day 1, offering fresh perspectives and opportunities to refine flight photography techniques.

Evening & Post-Dinner Workshop:

• Pre-dinner Social & Dinner: Enjoy pre-dinner drinks and a sumptuous dinner.

• Post-Dinner Work Session: Participate in a collaborative after-dinner workshop. This dedicated session is essential for learning and improvement:

  • Image Review: Review selected images from the group, providing constructive critiques.

  • Technique Discussion: Discuss successful techniques and areas for improvement.

Problem Solving: Address technical issues encountered during the day (e.g., lens choice, focusing errors, exposure problems).

Morning Excursion: Whales and Dolphins:

• Breakfast: Full breakfast at the lodge.

• Morning Briefing (30 minutes): A presentation focusing on marine mammals: what species to expect (Humpbacks, Orcas, Pacific White-Sided Dolphins), safe approach protocols, and recommended camera settings for stable shots from a boat, including maximizing depth of field and maintaining focus.

• Marine Wildlife Search: The morning is dedicated to a major boat excursion, following reports and known migration paths to find and photograph whales, dolphins, sea lions, and seals. Patience is key, as guides navigate to maximize viewing opportunities.

Lunch & Continuation:

• Picnic Lunch: A delicious packed picnic lunch will be served on the boat(s), ensuring maximum time is spent on the water in search of marine life.

• Afternoon Exploration: Continue the search for migrating whales and active dolphin pods. As the light begins to soften, the boats return toward the Stuart Island area for a late afternoon bald eagle photo shoot, specifically targeting eagles in the golden hour light near the lodge.

Evening & Specialty Shoot:

• Pre-dinner Social & Dinner: Enjoy the final full dinner at the lodge.

• After-dinner Sunset Excursion (Short, 1 Hour): This is a specialty session focused on the dramatic light of the sunset. A short, one-hour excursion is planned to capture bald eagles against the vibrant colors of the Pacific sunset, offering a dramatic end to the day.

Morning & Final Photography:

• Breakfast: Final breakfast at Nanook Lodge.

• Morning Photography: A relaxed final photography session focused on available wildlife close to the lodge. This may include eagles, local seabirds, or scenic landscape shots, providing opportunities for final, memorable captures before departure.

Departure:

• Early Lunch: An early lunch will be served at the lodge.

• Return Travel (1:00 PM): Depart the lodge at 1:00 PM for the scenic return boat transfer back to the Campbell River pick-up location, marking the conclusion of the wildlife photography expedition.