British Columbia Winter Birds & More
Winter Landscapes and Wildlife of the BC Cariboo Chilcotin Region
The Cariboo Chilcotin Coast is a vast and expansive landscape that stretches from the wilderness of the Pacific Coast to the rolling hills and mountains of the Cariboo Chilcotin region. It is an area rich with diverse birds and wildlife and amazing winter landscape photo opportunities. Photograph vast snow peaked mountain ranges to the blue glacial waters still running in water.
During the winter months many owls such as Great Grey Owls, Pygmy Owls and Saw Whet and Northern Hawk Owls present them selves along with many other birds. Raptor species such as bald eagles, golden eagles, rough legged hawks are common. Animal species such as wolves, coyotes, foxes, California bighorn sheep, moose, cougar, lynx, river otter, pine marten call this area home.
Other bird species include pileated woodpeckers, hairy woodpeckers, mountain and black capped chickadees, magpies, grosbeak, blue jays, steller's jay are some of the local birds to photograph and enjoy.
This tour will be focused on some of the beautiful landscapes that are seemingly around every corner in this remote region. In addition to landscapes we will also be on the lookout for much of the wildlife that calls this area home during the winter months and learn bird-in-flight, action photography techniques. Come with us and explore the area in comfort as we spend our time searching known areas for wildlife photo opportunities. During our tour we will be searching the land by vehicle and on foot.
Although we cannot guarantee which species we will see and photograph on any given day, we will do our utmost to ensure that we visit the areas that are most likely to yield results for some great photo shoots of what this area has to offer.
During your tour with us you will be staying at Eagle Bear Lodge on beautiful Eagle Lake with a beautiful view of the Niut Mountain Range. Enjoy home cooked meals and then relax with us around the fireplace or choose to return to your own comfy cabin and have your own fire and relaxation time. Please visit our photo gallery to have a look at some of what you can expect to see during this tour.
ITINERARY - 7 Nights
Arrival to Williams Lake, Airport (YWL) BC, Canada. Drive through the Chilcotin Range to the river area, stopping along the way for photo opportunities. Arriving a beautiful Eagle Lake and photograph the snow-peaked Niut Mountain Range at Eagle Bear Lodge. Welcome Dinner. Lodging throughout the tour is at Eagle Bear Lodge.
Day 1 - Drive across the Cariboo range, stopping along the way, photographing the Fraser River. Night 1: Overnight at Eagle Bear Lodge. (Saturday)
Day 2: Sunday: Breakfast. Drive through the Chilcotin Range and stopping to photograph incredible landscapes and sand dunes, cliffs and mountains. Photograph the Fraser River and other glacial blue waters. We will also take advantage of other wildlife photo opportunities along the way, which may include california big horned sheep, fox, bald eagles, golden eagles, northern hawk owls, great grey owls, tundra swans, blue birds and other birds that have recently migrated to the area.
Day 3- 6: Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri., Photograph glacial blue water landscapes, mist coming off of Tatlayoko Lake. On the look out for woodland caribou, and photographing old rustic cabins, ranges and other wildlife.
Saturday: :After breakfast we drive back to Williams Lake , BC to fly home.
Flight Info : Arrange your flight arrival to Williams Lake (YWL) Sat. mid day depart Williams Lake (YWL) on Sat afternoon. You will first fly into Vancouver International Airport, Canada.
www.flycma.com
Typically arriving 11:15AM on Central Mountain Air Flight# 9M552. and departure Williams Lake in the afternoon CMA Flight # 9M555 16:45 YWL and arrival Vancouver 17:55 YVR
www.pacificcoastal.com Depart Vancouver (YVR) 11:30AM Flight # 8P1534 BEECH 1900 and depart Williams Lake 14:20 YWL arrival in Vancouver 16:10 Flight# 8P586 BEECH 1900 .
Flight booking assistance with Always Travel, let us know and we will arrange a travel consultant to contact you.
Equipment Recommended: A digital SLR and a back up camera if you have one.
Lenses: 300mm / 400mm /500mm / wide angle / 100-400 / these lenses will all be good for this trip. If you are using a 300mm you might want to be sure to bring along a tele-converter preferably a 1.4. Tripod.
Be sure to bring your landscape lens. There are plenty of incredible views to photograph.
Please read our Refund Policy. Do not book your flights until we confirm.
CDN$ WINTER BIRDS
Included:
-
Airport pick up and drop off from Williams Lake Airport.
-
All meals are included once at Eagle Bear Lodge.
-
Expert photo instruction and guidance in the field
-
Transport during workshop
Not Included:
• International airfare to place of tour origin. Williams Lake Airport.
• Meals outside of the lodge dates. Alcoholic beverages or personal gifts or items.
• Additional tips for staff such as guides and camp staff.
• Note: Tipping for the guides and kitchen staff is expected. Usual tip amount is $150-$200 from each participant.
Surrounded by Katmai National Park, McNeil River Bear Sanctuary and Lake Clark National Park we have daily access to the premier destinations to observe and photograph the giant coastal grizzlies (brown bears) in their natural environment fishing and fighting for salmon. Everyone has seen the spectacular pictures of bears catching fish at Brooks or McNeil Falls. What many people don't realize is that no single location consistently offers an abundance of bears. The reason is that bears follow the salmon runs which peak in different locations at different times.
Equipment requirements:A digital SLR and a back up camera if you have one.
Lenses: 300mm / 400mm /500mm / wide angle / 100-400 / these lenses will all be good for this trip. If you are using a 300mm you might want to be sure to bring along a teleconverter preferably a 1.4. Tripod. Clothing requirements:The weather in BC can be quite unpredictable at this time of year. Dressing in layers is best. We recommend the following outerwear. Long Sleeved Shirt, Jeans/Slacks, Warm Hat & Gloves, Insulated Boots, Long Underwear, Windbreaker or Jacket, Wool Sweater or Fiberfill Vest, Winter Coat, Raingear and waterproof winter boots.
Please read our Refund Policy. Do not book your flights until we confirm.
Looking for even more bears? We have another trip you can go on BC Bears . Read More!