These spring/summer safaris are both a
wildlife chase (black bears, songbirds) as well as a landscape shoot. In
other words, we will shoot anything cool we see. There could
be mosquitoes, so citrus
based repellants are a must. We do some walking on this safari, usually several
miles on relatively flat trails - so comfortable boots are a must.
We check some meadows in the morning, take a break for lunch, then
usually walk to at least 1 or 2 meadows in the afternoon.
The mornings are cool, warming to pleasant
temps in the afternoon. We usually go into Lodgepole for
lunch, but you are welcome to bring your own lunch if you want.
I always have new water bottles in my truck so don't worry about
packing them along. |
We can meet at my home in Tulare or at a hotel in Visalia or
Tulare at 5am, or in Three Rivers on Highway 198 at 6am in the Pizza Factory parking lot. We will stop for lunch, then shoot again in the
afternoon. We will photograph everything that looks good:
black bears, mule deer,
birds, landscapes,
etc.
The deposit is 50% via check, Paypal, or credit card, and
the balance is due halfway between the deposit date and the
safari date unless you are booking within 3 months, then
full payment is due. Check the main safari page for other
information. Spouses can ride/walk along at no charge,
but you must have your own vehicle to travel in.
Link
Participants: Maximum of
4 photographers. |
For the
past 38 years I've led nature safaris in the American West,
including along the California coast. I spend about
130-140 days per year on these safaris, so I'm an expert at
locations and species habits, and wildlife tactics to
photograph them. For example, I've spent 1800 days
shooting in Yellowstone and the Tetons, and have led nearly
300 days of bobcat safaris. |
This
safari requires a longer telephoto or zoom lens, both for
the black bears and the small songbirds we no doubt will
encounter. A wide-angle lens works for landscapes
throughout the sequoia groves. A tripod is optional,
though we encounter many birds and bears in the darker
forest. You never know what we will encounter in these
mountains - I have seen pine martens, a pacific fisher
(once), a great gray owl (once), and dozens of other
species. |
Other dates will be added in early summer.
Some of these dates are parallel with safari dates to the Mineral
King area of Sequoia. I do them back-to-back so that those who
travel to do a bear safari have other options to go along and do
other regions. Also, you can do a single day of the listed two
days safaris.
Info Links:
Safari
Checklist
Image Galleries:
BBear-1
BBear-2
BBear-3 |