Yukon Wildlife trip with Kevin Pepper and Len Silvester

In the Yukon, the Moose outnumber humans two to one and the wildlife is so plentiful that visitors are amazed at the ease of accessibility with the right guides.

We have been traveling to the Yukon for two years now and have created a specific trip for wildlife enthusiasts that appreciate pristine mountain landscapes as a backdrop for their images.

If you enjoy photographing wildlife and have always wanted to see the northern lights dance above your head, this is a trip for you.

On this trip we are going to be photographing caribou, moose, Canada Lynx, Wolves and Woodland Bison.

All the details can be found here, http://northof49photography.com/yukon-wildlife-tour

NEPAL WILDLIFE TOUR-Kathmandu/Chitwan/Bardia (10 days)

Please consider joining us on our tour outlined below... our NEPAL WILDLIFE TOUR-in Kathmandu/Chitwan/Bardia (10 days)

Dates of Nepal Wildlife Workshop are October 22, 2016 to October 31, 2016

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu

It is a panoramic thrill flying into Kathmandu on a clear day. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below you are almost ecstatic, beginning a whole chain of memorable experiences that stay with you for a long, long time. A representative and driver from our office will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. The representative will help you check into your designated hotel. At the hotel you will be briefed about your daily activities.

Day 02: Full day tour in Kathmandu- Pashupatinath, Boudanath & Patan Durbar Square
After an early breakfast, we shall take you to the major sightseeing places in Kathmandu. On your tour you will get to see historic monuments, temples, monasteries, palaces and UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Boudhanath- the largest stupa in South Asia, Hindu temples of Pashupatinath and the medieval royal palace of the Malla Kings at Patan Durbar Square. Patan, because of its artistic heritage is also known as Lalitpur or the ‘City of Artisans’. You will get to visit the handicraft centre in Patan. After the conclusion of your trip, you will be driven back to your hotel.

Day 03: Drive to Chitwan National Park

After your breakfast, we start driving to Chitwan. It is a pleasant scenic 5-6 hours drive by vehicle on the Prithivi Highway. As you descend towards the Terai lowland of Chitwan, rich wildlife, lush grasslands and spectacular sight of rare species of bird and animals unfolds before you. Chitwan national park is your target destination. It give a unique and exceptional wildlife experience, being the home to several are species, in particular, the one-horned rhinoceros and leopard and also leopard, bear, wild boar, deer, bison, crocodiles etc. After your lunch, you will be taken for a village tour to a nearby ethnic Tharu village where you will learn more about the lifestyle of the Tharus. After your visit to the Tharu village, you will visit National Park Visitor’s centre where you can learn more about the history of the National Park and about wildlife. After returning back at the lodge, enjoy viewing the sun set from the bank of Rapti River.

Day 04: Safari and jungle activities

After your breakfast, you will canoe ride along the Rapti River which gives an excellent opportunity for Bird Watching and for spying the 2 rare species of crocodiles: the Marsh Mugger and the fish eating Gharial. You will then go for jungle walk around national park. One the way back to Lodge, one can enjoy the elephant bathing. After your lunch, you will get an excellent opportunity to see four different kinds of deer, rhinoceros, wild boar, monkey, leopard, sloth bear and the Royal Bengal Tiger (If you are lucky).

You will also encounter many other smaller mammals that have made Chitwan their home doing elephant safari. In the evening you will be presented either tharu cultural dance or slides show presentation.

Day 05: Safari and Jungle activities

Early morning, after the wake up call, you prepare yourself for an adventurous jungle safari. After refreshing yourself, you will have your breakfast. Once you complete it, you will visit the elephant breeding centre. After your lunch, you will be driven to Twenty Thousand Lake for jeep safari or if you prefer to take the Elephant safari once again, you can do it and give the jeep safari a miss.

Day 06: Drive to Bardia National Park

After this wildlife experience, you will be driven to Bardia for more wildlife adventure. You would be welcomed at the lodge with cool drinks and briefed about the program. After your lunch, you will visit a Tharu village where you will get to know about their tribal lifestyle. After your village visit, you get the opportunity to visit the elephant breeding center.

Enjoy the sunset view from the Karnali river bank on back to the lodge.

Day 07: Safari and jungle activities

After an early breakfast, you go for elephant ride safari which is about one hour. After elephant back safari, our guide will take to crocodile breeding centre and a visit to Tharu Museum. Once you do both things, you will go for the jungle walk with pack lunch. In the evening, the lodge presents the Tharu culture dance for your entertainment.

Day 08: Safari and Jungle activities

After breakfast, you enjoy half day jeep safari at the national park and half day guided tour to track the tiger in the park.

Day 09: Drive to Nepalgunj, fly to Kathmandu

You wake up early in the morning and go for a bird watching tour. After returning to camp, you will have your breakfast and will be driven to Nepalgunj for your flight to Kathmandu.

Day 10: Depart Kathmandu

Our driver and airport representative will drive you to the airport in time for your flight back home.

Cost Includes:
2 nights Hotel accommodations in Kathmandu on twin sharing room with breakfast. http://dalailaboutiquehotel.com/
1 night Hotel accommodation in Patan on twin sharing room with breakfast. http://dalailaboutiquehotel.com/
3 nights package in Chitwan on full board basis. http://www.chitwanadventureresort.com/
3 nights package in Bardia on full board basis. http://www.racyshade.com/en/
HOTELS ARE BASED ON: (as per availability at the time of booking)
Airport transfers and tour transfers in private vehicle with escort.
Nepalgunj/Kathmandu airfare.
English speaking local guide in Kathmandu and local jungle guide in Chitwan and Bardia.
All monument entry fees as mentioned in the itinerary.

Cost Excludes:
Any airfares and airport taxes.
Nepal Visa.
Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Patan.
Clients’ insurance and medical expenses
Any cost incurred in emergency evacuation due to any unforeseen reason.
Any expenses of personal nature such as bar bills, laundry, telephone calls, internet etc.
Personal gratuities as tips to guides, drivers, porters etc.
Extra baggage charges if any
Any other tours, transfers, services, etc. other than mentioned above.

Instructors: Kevin A Pepper and Len Silvester

Pricing: $4895USD

Single Supplement: $500USD

Deposit: $750USD

Contact us here for more information, http://northof49photography.com/contact-us/

Ontario Common Loon Workshops

Introducing our one day Common Loon Workshops in Ontario, Canada.

This is a one day and one night workshop at our home up in the Kawartha Region of Ontario. We are located lake side and invite you to join us for a chance to photograph the many loons that call our lake home each summer.

These workshops run all of July and August and can be a single day or multi day vacation for you and your friends.

Please visit this link to learn more, and to contact us. http://northof49photography.com/common-loon-one-day-workshop

We look forward to seeing you in Ontario this summer.

Kevin

How ISO effects your images... for better and for worse

ISO (I.S.O.) is the abbreviation for the International Organization of Standardization, a governing body based in Europe that provides the standards for a wide variety of subjects.

In 35mm film photography ISO (or ASA) was the indication of how sensitive a film was to light. It was measured in numbers and you have probably seen them on the film boxes… there was ASA 100, 200, 400, 800 etc. The lower the number the lower the sensitivity of the film and the finer the grain in the shots you’re taking.

In Digital Photography there is only ISO. ISO measures the sensitivity of the image sensor. The same principles apply as in film photography – the lower the number the less sensitive your camera is to light and the finer the grain. Higher ISO settings are generally used in darker situations to get faster shutter speeds (for example an indoor sports event when you want to freeze the action in lower light) – however the cost is more digital noise (fine grain or colored spots) in your shots. 100 ISO is generally accepted as the ‘normal’ and will produce an image with very little noise/grain.

Most people tend to keep their digital cameras in ‘Auto Mode’ where the camera selects the appropriate ISO setting depending upon the conditions you’re shooting in (it will try to keep it as low as possible) but most cameras also give you the opportunity to select your own ISO. I am not an advocate of auto ISO, but my suggestion, start with AUTO when you are VERY new with the digital camera, but start playing with setting your ISO settings to help master the exposure triangle of shutter speeds, aperture and ISO. It will give you more freedom and allow you to be more creative.

When you do override your camera and choose a specific ISO you’ll notice that it impacts the aperture and shutter speed needed for a well exposed shot. For example – if you bumped your ISO up from 100 to 400 you’ll notice that you can shoot at higher shutter speeds and/or smaller apertures in lower light situations.

When choosing the ISO setting I generally ask myself the following four questions:

1.       Light – Is the subject well lit?

2.       Tripod – Am I using a tripod?

3.       Moving Subject – Is my subject moving or stationary?

If there is plenty of light I will generally use a pretty low ISO rating. (50 or 100). However if it’s dark, or I don’t have a tripod and/or my subject is moving I might consider increasing the ISO as it will enable me to shoot with a faster shutter speed and still expose the shot well. Of course the trade-off of this increase in ISO will be noisier shots. But software like NIK Dfine will quickly, and easily eliminate noticeable noise.

Situations where you might need to push ISO to higher settings include:

· Indoor Sports Events – where your subject is moving fast yet you may have limited light available.
· Concerts – also low in light and often ‘no-flash’ zones
· Art Galleries, Churches etc.- many galleries have rules against using a flash and of course being indoors are not well lit.
· Birthday Parties – blowing out the candles in a dark room can give you a nice moody shot which would be ruined by a bright flash. Increasing the ISO can help capture the scene.
· Shooting night landscapes – maybe you are shooting northern lights or stars.

ISO is an important aspect of digital photography. To have an understanding of it, and want to gain more control of your digital camera… experiment with different settings and how they impact your images. The more you practice, the more you learn, the better you will become.

Getting The Correct Exposure For Beginners

Having the correct exposure is about having enough light in a photo. Over-exposed photos are bright, harsh and can look washed out. Whereas under-exposed photos are too dark to pick up on details

Shutter speed, aperture and ISO work together to bring out a nicely exposed photo. The three combined are called the "Exposure Triangle". But how do you go about getting the right exposure while taking manual control over all three aspects of the exposure triangle?

Here are steps I usually take to decide on the right setting for the photo I’m trying to achieve.

Step 1: Adjust the ISO first

When you’re shooting a series of photos in a consistent environment, there’s no need for you to constantly play around with the ISO.

Before you begin shooting, determine the ISO first (remember, the lower the better). A bright environment with plenty of light might just need an ISO of 100 or 200. Whereas an indoor environment would be 400 to 600, and night photography would require 800+.

Step 2: Figure out what you want to capture

Next, you would want to think about your subject. If it’s landscape, you would want to keep as much in focus, but still allow more light and details. In this case, choose an f16. Or if you wanted to create a narrow depth of field like a macro photo, you would have a wider aperture (like f1.8). Then, you would adjust the shutter speed accordingly.

Sometimes with moving objects, you might approach this the other way, thinking about shutter speed first before playing around with the aperture. Take a runner for example. If you wanted to capture them frozen, then you would need a faster shutter speed. Whereas if you wanted to create blurs from their movements, then you’d choose a slower shutter speed.

If changing the aperture and shutter speed isn’t creating the desired effect you want, you might need to go and adjust the ISO to a larger or smaller number. This allows you to play with your shutter speeds and aperture to help you get the desired result.

Now, these aren’t step you must follow every time, but it’s a good start for beginners. Adjusting the settings might be confusing initially, but lots of practice will have you turning those setting dials like a pro in no time.

Happy Shooting,

Kev

Northern Lights Photo Workshop

Join Kevin Pepper and Chris Pepper for this workshop in Canada's north.

Wk #1 from September 19, 2016 to September 24, 2016

Wk #2 from September 25, 2016 to September 30, 2016

Cost: $3595 Canadian

Day 1 - Arrival day. As you arrive from home you will be picked up at the airport and brought to the hotel. Here we will gather for a group dinner to get to know each other and go over our planned route for the week.

As you arrive you will have free time until our group dinner at the hotel. After dinner you will have the option of heading out for a possible aurora sighting away from the city.... or stay in and relax for our busy week ahead.

Day 2 -  Our day begins with a short trip to Cameron Falls. Located just 46 km from Yellowknife. A scenic 20-minute hike from the parking lot takes you through stands of fall colors provided by aspen, spruce and jack pine, where you're likely to spot whiskey jacks and nighthawks.

As we near Cameron Falls, the trail climbs over outcrops of sedimentary rock. Stairs span some sections, but several steep areas remain. At the viewpoint, you can admire the Falls framed in a palate of fall colors and explore the side-trails.

Walking 250 meters northeast will bring you to a bridge above the Falls that offers access into the rest of Hidden Lake Park. The park has been kept in its natural state, and there are no trails past this point.... just us and nature. Trail Length: 1.2 km.

At night we will drive out where minimal light pollution exists and plan to watch the aurora from one of many lake side positions that we have identified as great aurora viewing locations.

Day 3 - The Northern Frontier - Stretching from the north and east shores of Great Slave Lake, east to the Barrenlands and northwest to Great Bear Lake, Northern Frontier is adventure country. Featuring some of the oldest exposed rock in the world, studded with countless lakes and rivers, some as yet unnamed, it’s a paddler’s paradise in summer and early fall. Here are the headwaters of legendary wilderness canoeing rivers, flowing north and east - the Coppermine, the Thelon - and shorter rivers, both wild and tame, draining south into Great Slave Lake.

In a landscape of sandy eskers and glacial moraine the caribou seem to suddenly appear and vanish just as quickly. Tiny plants carpet the land and as we descend on the territory they will have morphed to a ruby red tapestry under foot in August and September.

Today we will travel to the East Arm. The scenery is on a grand scale, virtually untouched since the glaciers retreated. Marvel at the 600 meter cliffs that drop into quiet bays. On a sunny autumn day, the East Arm reveals its colours - from greys and yellows, reds to brilliant pinks, marine blues and turquoise.

Great Slave Lake's East Arm is a world class scenic and geological wonder. Spectacular cliffs drop into the tenth largest lake in the world. The scenery is primeval, the result of glaciation in North America and a clearly visible fault in the earth's crust. The future National Park includes an historic 50 km trail to the Barrenlands called Pike's Portag

At night we will remain in the area and prepare to photograph the stunning terrain we photographed during the day, at night... this time hopefully with northern lights or star trails and the milky way...

Day 4 - They say that Wildlife viewing on the highways is free. Black bear and foxes peer out from the forest. Wood bison, the larger northern relative of the plains bison, are making a comeback near Fort Providence and Fort Liard.. and we often encounter them on our highways – when they do, we will stop and let them cross the road in their own time and enjoy the scenery through your lens. We will drive through an area where the Mackenzie Herd of Northern Bison are ranging from 2000 to 3000 buffalo. The Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary is home to the first successful bison relocation program recorded in North America.

As we travel the Frontier Highway,one of the best ways to view the Mackenzie Herd;  the bison are often grazing along the side of the highway. Sometimes resting on the highway and almost always crossing the highway.

Moose and woodland caribou live in the woods and wetlands all along our highways. Bald eagles and tall, dusty-grey sandhill cranes are two easily spotted species spending the summer in the Dehcho area, together with ducks, gulls and terns, warblers and other songbirds.

But these common sightings only the supporting cast to our waterfall and fall colors we will encounter on the western delta of Great Slave Lake.

Our return back to the hotel will consist of a watch for the aurora... and if it appears, we will stop and photograph it.

Day 5 - The Great Slave Lake area attracts hundreds of thousands of migrating waterfowl to its islands, bays, marshes and wetlands. This area combines parts of all four recognized North American flyways – Atlantic, Mississippi, Central and Pacific for birds that migrate to the Arctic each summer.

North of Yellowknife, Behchoko and Whati, geese, ducks and swans nest and breed each summer. The North Arm is popular with gulls, terns, red-breasted mergansers and mallards. Loons, terns and jaegers populate the islands at the mouth of Yellowknife Bay. Large numbers of bald eagles make their headquarters between Yellowknife and the East Arm.

But lets not forget the rolling vistas of fall colors that will carpet the landscape and make the forests come alive. The photo opportunities will surround you at every turn.

After our return to the hotel for dinner, we will once again depart for our own aurora watch over some of the remote calm lakes away from the light pollution... and if the skies do not dance in color and sing to us, there is always the opportunity for some star trail photography and long exposure photography.

Day 6 - One more stroll during the golden hour to see the fall colors outside of Yellowknife. This morning we will go to Niven Lake Trail. The (2 km) Niven Lake Trail circles a small and productive lagoon which features some of the best bird watching in Yellowknife, as well as glimpses of muskrats and the occasional beaver. There is a variety of ground surfaces here, from muskeg, to forest to rock, and many scenic fall color viewpoints with interpretive signage to inform you what you are photographing.

Plan your departure for after 3pm and we will drop you off at the airport around 1 pm.

Please note: We do our best to stay on schedule; however there is the possibility of delays due to factors beyond our control. We do our best to ensure you see all advertised tours within the time frame of the trip.

Included... airport pick up and drop off, transportation, Meals from dinner on day one to breakfast on day six, entrance fees, guides, photography guidance

Not Included... anything not listed as included, trip insurance, alcohol, laundry, items of personal nature.

 

Contact Us Here - http://northof49photography.com/contact-us/

 

See our other Canadian Workshops Here - http://northof49photography.com/photo-workshops/

Photography Tours to Yukon Canada

 

Yukon’s landscape was formed during the Ice Age. It’s past forms a unique part of the territory’s history. Over 20,000 years ago, a land bridge joined Asia and North America. Woolly mammoths and scimitar cats roamed this vast ice-free region known as Beringia. While the rest of the continent was cloaked in ice, much of the Yukon became an ecological refuge for plants and animals. This period is recalled in First Nations' legends of long-ago giants and the creation of the world from a flooded land.

During this time, Yukon’s original people migrated across the land bridge from Asia and inhabited an area near what is now known as Old Crow. They hunted mammoths, bison, horses and caribou. Over time, they established permanent settlements, some of which remain today as modern-day towns that we visit on some of our tours to the Yukon.

Fast forward a few million years and Yukon’s first visitors were Russian explorers. They came in search of furs and other resources in the 18th century. As more explorers from Europe arrived, First Nations people traded furs for tobacco, guns, and other goods. The fur trade developed as the Hudson's Bay Company and other independent traders established posts throughout the Yukon.

If you want to experience the same route, using the same mode of transportation as those early settlers, the dog sled, please check out our trips in late winter. Its your chance to photograph the northern lights and run your own dog sled through mountain trails over two century old. All the details can be found here. http://northof49photography.com/yukon-winter-photography-tour

Then, in August 1896 three men found gold on Bonanza Creek near Dawson City, launching the legendary Klondike Gold Rush. When word of the discovery reached the rest of the world, thousands of would-be prospectors headed north. By the turn of the century Dawson City was the largest city north of San Francisco and west of Winnipeg.

When the Klondike Gold Rush ended in 1903 more than 95 million dollars had been extracted from the Yukon's rivers… and still today, many mine the rivers and lands for gold that still is being extracted today.

When the ‘railway built of gold’ was completed in 1900, the White Pass and Yukon railway connected Whitehorse, Yukon to Skagway on the Alaskan coast. The $10 million railway project was considered an impossible task, but it was literally blasted through coastal mountains in just 26 months by thousands of men and 450 tons of explosives.

The White Pass and Yukon Route climbs almost 3,000 feet (900 m) in just 20 miles (32 km) and features steep grades, cliff-hanging turns, two tunnels and numerous bridges and trestles. The steel cantilever bridge was the tallest of its kind in the world when it was constructed in 1901.

 

This made way to a more economical route of travel, the Alaska Highway. The road to North America’s last frontier was built in 1942 to transport war supplies. Completed in only 8 months, more than 30,000 US Army personnel were involved in the construction of over 2,230 km of road to Alaska.

The Alaska Highway forever changed the Yukon. Boats and trains were replaced by the more efficient road system. Whitehorse grew to become the largest town in the Yukon, eventually becoming the capital city in 1953.

Today the Alaska Highway is a scenic paved route that is well-maintained and open year-round. Many of our tours travel this highway and our cameras enjoy the stunning landscapes day and night.
Every August, when the landscapes come alive with reds and gold, we travel the Alaska highway and Dempster Highway to photograph stunning landscapes you will rarely see elsewhere. You can see those tours here. 2015 trip - http://northof49photography.com/fall-colours-in-the-yukon Details for the 2016 trip coming soon. But to see the 2015 trip, please see here, http://northof49photography.com/fall-colours-in-the-Yukon

Today, contemporary Yukon strikes a balance between the conveniences of modern living and the beauty of a pristine nature. Yukon is one of three Canadian territories, Yukon is situated in the northwest corner of Canada's continental mainland.

It sits between the Canadian province of British Columbia and the Arctic Ocean, with Alaska to the west and the Northwest Territories to the east.

The Arctic Circle crosses through the Yukon and the territory has 430 kilometres of shoreline along the Beaufort Sea.

 

At 483,450 square kilometres (186,661 square miles), the Yukon is larger than California and covers more area than Belgium, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands combined. It represents 4.8% of Canada's total land area.

The name “Yukon” originated from the Locheux native word "Yuk-un-ah," meaning "Great River," referring to the Yukon River that flows across the territory into Alaska.

As of September 2012, there were 36,304 people living in the Yukon. Of those, 27,687 were living in the capital city of Whitehorse.

The official bird is the raven and our flower is fireweed. These aren't just symbolic—they're everywhere! You'll see ravens throughout the Yukon any time of the year, and it's the subject of many First Nations stories. In summer our forests, riverbeds and roadsides are ablaze with magenta fireweed.

Yukon is dry, and the continental climate results in a wide variety of weather year-round. Humidity is very low, so summers can be hot and dry while our winter coldness is less harsh than in damper climates, making our winter tours more comfortable than most others in Canada.

 

 

 

Whitehorse is Yukon’s capital and a major northern hub. It enjoys facilities, services and businesses far beyond the expectation of a city of 30,000. It's a big little city surrounded by wilderness with the amenities of a much larger destination paired with the friendly demeanour of a close-knit community.
Yukon is home to Canada’s highest peak, the world’s largest non-polar ice fields, several Canadian Heritage Rivers and healthy, abundant wildlife. From the crimson carpet of the tundra, to the majestic mountain peaks, the vast pristine wilderness of the Yukon beckons.

Yukon’s jaw-dropping natural features are what set this place apart. This is a land rich with dramatic mountain vistas, wild rivers and crystal clear lakes of stunning blue and emerald green. Close to 80 per cent remains pristine wilderness, untouched by humans and abundant with wildlife that we visit to photograph.

In the fall, take a trip on horseback into the rural landscapes and native animals. Please see that trip here, http://northof49photography.com/northern-lights-and-fall-colors-workshop-in-nwt
At least twenty mountains in the St. Elias Range in southwest Yukon exceed 4,000 metres, and more than a handful exceed 5,000 metres. Towering over them all and surrounded by vast icefields is Mount Logan, Canada's highest peak at 5,959 m.

The southern part of the Yukon is covered by vast coniferous boreal forest, rugged mountains, and a network of rivers and lakes. In the North, rolling arctic tundra stretches to the Arctic Ocean. Yukon’s north coastline includes beaches, cliffs, sea ice, lagoons and coastal plains. But it’s the transitional landscapes north of Whitehorse and in the Tombstone Mountains that photographers dream about.

 

Yukon has over 70 canoeable wilderness rivers including four Canadian Heritage Rivers. Countless scenic lakes dot the landscape making the Yukon a significant reservoir of fresh water. Almost two-thirds of the territory is drained by the mighty Yukon River, Canada's second longest river.
The Big Salmon, Teslin, and storied Yukon River combine scenery, wildlife viewing, history, fishing and friendly rapids. Exhilarating rivers like the Alsek, Tatshenshini and Firth beckon for rafting. The Snake, Bonnet Plume and Wind rivers flow through one of the most remote regions of North America.

Glacial-fed Tagish, Marsh, Teslin, Bennett and Atlin lakes form the Southern Lakes. Camping and fishing abound along inviting roadside lakes like Kathleen, Fox, Five Mile, Frances, Frenchman and Chapman.

Yukon’s vast wild regions, varied ecosystems, and relatively sparse human population make the Yukon a haven for some of North America’s most rare and impressive species.

Yukon is home to abundant northern species like caribou, wolves and grizzly bears and millions of migratory birds. Lynx, coyotes, foxes and scores of small mammals thrive in its forests. The possibility for wildlife exists around every bend. First hand I can account for it as I have seen it for myself. When we visit, we keep your eyes open, our cameras ready and keep these tips in mind to make the most Yukon’s wildlife viewing opportunities.

Take your time and be quiet. Plan on stopping often, and slowly scan the landscape for movement. Wildlife are more active in early morning and evening. Take a short walk before breakfast or after dinner. You may be pleasantly surprised at what you find. Remember, in summer, the arctic evening lasts all night.

Keep your distance and use binoculars, spotting scopes, and telephoto lenses to get a more detailed look or a better photo without scaring the animal away or endangering yourself. This stealthy approach often allows us to see species like Grizzly, large herds of Bison, Canada Lynx, wolves and the abundant moose.

More than 80 percent of the Yukon is classified as wilderness and our world-class national and territorial parks promise iconic scenery, abundant wildlife and solitude. Visitors come to explore legendary northern parks including Kluane, Tombstone, Ivvavik and the historic Chilkoot Trail. Here, we enjoy park infrastructure ranging from trails to interpretive centers to campgrounds and photographic viewing platforms that keep us safe and comfortable during the night.

I hope you consider joining me on a trip of a lifetime during the season of your choice, Contact me for more details about the Yukon, or one of our many trips that we take there. Contact us here. http://northof49photography.com/contact-us/

Yukon, Canada Photo Tour

This trip offers a close up view of life in the Yukon for photographers and non photographers alike. Step back in time; this tour will take you on historic trails used by many trappers over the years. You will learn the basics of mushing and form a close relationship with your dogs when we’re setting off into the wilderness, exploring the pristine winter wonder land of the Yukon through our lenses. If we’re lucky we may see the amazingly beautiful Aurora Borealis dancing in the sky, or see some of Yukon's abundant wildlife.

Come up north for your adventure of a lifetime and you’ll go home with many tall stories, great photos and happy memories.

Workshop #1 is from March 16, 2016 to March 23, 2016

Workshop #2 is from March 23, 2016 to March 30, 2016

Price of Workshop:

$3975CAD for a maximum of 10 people

Single Supplement is $350CAD

Deposit Required: $750CAD and the balance due before January 15th, 2015.

Trip Itinerary

Arrival should be the day before the trip to ensure that we are ready to be picked up at 10am on day one.

Day 1 Saturday / Wednesday:

We pick you up at 10.00 AM in the hotel lobby. We can do some last minute shopping and pick up any items missing from the packing list. Then we drive to the ranch, 20 km South of Whitehorse, where you’ll be outfitted with expedition clothing. Enjoy the hot lunch and then you are introduced to your 4-legged companions for the week. You’ll learn the basics of dog care, checking their feet and shoulders, dog massage. Get familiar with the parts of the sled and sledding. Then you harness your team, hook them up and off you go for your very first run! When we return, and you’re finished with taking care of the dogs, you can enjoy the sauna, have a shower, enjoy a hot dinner and cozy up by the fire, keeping an eye on the sky for the aurora.

 

Day 2

While the morning sun hits the magnificent mountains we will be out taking photos and then come back and enjoy our breakfast in the lodge and plan the day ahead. We say good morning to our new furry friends and make sure they are fed, watered and happy before harnessing them. Today we plan to cover approx. 35 km in distance, driving towards secluded Jackson Lake. The only sounds on the way are the runners gliding over the snow, the breath of the working dogs and your words of encouragement. On this day you start to know each dog's personality. They will learn to trust you and you to trust them, and you’ll form a bond that only man and dog can understand. Overnight at the Lodge and again keep our eye on the sky for the aurora.

 

Day 3

Today your team will bring you east of the ranch. As we are heading onto an old abandoned mining road and gain in elevation. Enjoy the pristine landscape of snowy mountains nestling the lake in its valley. Keep an eye out for wildlife, and your camera ready - you never know what you might see! Return to the lodge for the night. After you have taken care of the dogs, you can put your feet up by the fire, recounting your adventures with others while we keep an eye out for the aurora in the sky.

 

Day 4

This day takes us towards beautiful Bonneville Lakes, west of the ranch. The trails are narrower here with some challenging ups and downs. The scenery and photo opportunities are breathtaking. Part of this trip we are above tree line and easily cover 20-30 km. In harmony with the running rhythm of your team you will enjoy nature like you have never experienced it before.

Tonight we will again keep an eye out for the aurora dancing above the mountains and tree line.

 

Day 5

We head out into the pristine wilderness for 3 days of winter camping at our wall tent camp at Dry Creek. The silence of this area seeps into your soul as you journey farther into the amazing landscape. Enjoy the crisp freshness of the day and don't forget to take photos! Curl up at night by the wood stove for a cozy sleep in the wall tents... but if the aurora is dancing, we will be outside taking photos of the night sky.

 

Day 6

At dawn we will be out taking photos before we enjoy a hearty camp breakfast in our wall tent kitchen. From the camp, weather permitting, we will make a run to the top of the mountain to Ptarmigan Flats. Keep your eyes open for this beautiful white bird, while sledding on miles of windblown hill tops. Over night at the wall tent camp with hopes that the aurora is in the skies at night.

Day 7

During our run back towards the lodge, take in the rugged landscape through your lens one last time and breathe the fresh clean air. As you mush over the clean white snow, listen one last time to the quiet whoosh of the runners and the soft panting of the dogs. This is the stuff dreams are made of; these are memories that stay forever. Don’t forget to take pictures! Back at the lodge lunch is served. Then it’s time to say goodbye to your new found furry friends as we head to Whitehorse for your last night in the Gold Rush Inn. Upon arrival in Whitehorse you will receive your musher diploma.

 

Day 8

The Whitehorse shuttle service van brings you to the airport for your southbound flight.

Trip Includes

•Transfer from Whitehorse to ranch.

•Last night accommodation in Whitehorse ( 1 night double room).

•Accommodation in cabins (4 or 5 nights double room) or wood heated tent outpost camps (2 or 3 nights group accommodation).

•All meals including non-alcoholic beverages, except dinner and breakfast in Whitehorse.

•Use of personal sled and 3 to 6 Huskies.

•Musher Diploma.

•Winter Boots (all other equipment can be rented for a fee if you wish).

Trip Excludes

•Alcoholic beverages 

•Meals in restaurants

•All expenses of personal nature.

•Trip cancellation & medical insurance: We strongly recommend you purchase adequate insurance coverage at the time of booking. Your policy should cover injury, illness or death, trip cancellation, emergency medical, search & rescue, flight accident, travel accident, loss of baggage and personal effects.

Trip Notes

•Average temperatures at this time of winter are between -2° and - 24° Celsius (28 to -31 Fahrenheit). We ask you to bring adequate clothing to withstand these temperatures.

•A pack list is available!

•This Dog sledding adventure is a challenging but relaxed fun trip!

•We supply you with the best equipment possible and teach you all the important aspects of mushing;

•To participate you must be healthy, enjoy working with dogs and have a good team spirit,

•dog sledding is a comparable physical activity to cross-country skiing, so you should be in relatively good physical shape.

•Depending on the dynamics of the group this tour may include a 3rd tent night and the itinerary may change slightly;

•The camps have no power or telephone, showers are of basic gravity fed nature and not available in tent camp, shower and sauna at Lodge;

•We do recommend that you arrive the day before your tour. Pre and Post nights in the hotel can be booked for you upon request.

Contact us if you would like more information, or you want to book. To contact us please click here to visit our contact us page. http://northof49photography.com/contact-us/

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