Posted by Ryan Askren on February 27, 2010 at 4:15 PM
Hello folks,
I am hoping to spend the month of June on a bit of a photo expedition and was hoping some of you can offer some information to help me out.
First off, I should mention I have spent an amountable time in the Arctic and Alaska so I at least have an idea of what I'd be getting into. I would be trying to photograph the bird life mostly but would love to get some polar bear shots if there are any around.
I have been thinking about transportation, I'm only 19 so I am not sure anyone up there would let me rent a truck but I was wondering if there are any places to rent ATV's in town. Does anyone have ideas? What is the best way to get around?
Secondly, I need to figure out lodging. I would be ok with packing a tent and camping out but I'm not sure that is a good idea with the area bears or if it is allowed. Does anybody know of cheap lodging in the area or someone who would be willing to rent a basement to me for a couple of weeks. Any other information you think I should know is appreciated!
I don't want to sound negative but why are you going to Barrow? That's not a great time for bears, most have headed onto the sea ice. The only reason they would be on land in Barrow would be if they we're at the town dump or if a whale has been harvested. Barrow is insanely expensive, there are people who will take you around the area, for a high price, but you will probably not be allowed to camp anywhere near town and the cost of lodging is plenty, there is nothing cheap in Barrow. For the cost of a few days in Barrow you can spend a month somewhere else.
Posted by Ryan Askren on March 1, 2010 at 11:35 AM
Well I was mostly thinking of heading to Barrow for the bird life and even more specifically the eider species. I wouldn't consider joining a group but was hoping to go out on my own, preferably by atv. Any suggestions on good places to go?
Barrow is in an area that had a lot of birds but unfortunately it is an area which also has Barrow. Except for very few species - Snowy Owl, Snow Bunting and the occasional vagrant - it's really not that great. It's not as expensive as Carl says, but it's not cheap, and the less outrageously expensive is kind of scummy. And there are no camping areas.
Other options:
- The Yukon Delta NWR, especially the northern third. My website has a trip log for Chevak. I thought it was awesome.
- Teshekpuk Lake is very impressive birding, but has limited access (float-plane fly-in only), limited access when you get there (giant, swampy lake that can be pretty windy) and some blackout periods (moulting Brant, for example). If you want more info, contact me by email.
- North Slope Haul Road/Dalton Highway, gets you most of the way there (Prudhoe Bay itself is closed to public access), and has most of the species you mention in low densities.
If you can get your hands on a copy of The Birder's Guide to Alaska, second edition, it has most everything you could want to know about where to find what birds and when.
If you make it through Fairbanks, let me know; with a little notice I might be able to break away and take you to a few spots.
Discussion
4 repliesI am hoping to spend the month of June on a bit of a photo expedition and was hoping some of you can offer some information to help me out.
First off, I should mention I have spent an amountable time in the Arctic and Alaska so I at least have an idea of what I'd be getting into. I would be trying to photograph the bird life mostly but would love to get some polar bear shots if there are any around.
I have been thinking about transportation, I'm only 19 so I am not sure anyone up there would let me rent a truck but I was wondering if there are any places to rent ATV's in town. Does anyone have ideas? What is the best way to get around?
Secondly, I need to figure out lodging. I would be ok with packing a tent and camping out but I'm not sure that is a good idea with the area bears or if it is allowed. Does anybody know of cheap lodging in the area or someone who would be willing to rent a basement to me for a couple of weeks. Any other information you think I should know is appreciated!
Barrow is in an area that had a lot of birds but unfortunately it is an area which also has Barrow. Except for very few species - Snowy Owl, Snow Bunting and the occasional vagrant - it's really not that great. It's not as expensive as Carl says, but it's not cheap, and the less outrageously expensive is kind of scummy. And there are no camping areas.
Other options:
- The Yukon Delta NWR, especially the northern third. My website has a trip log for Chevak. I thought it was awesome.
- Teshekpuk Lake is very impressive birding, but has limited access (float-plane fly-in only), limited access when you get there (giant, swampy lake that can be pretty windy) and some blackout periods (moulting Brant, for example). If you want more info, contact me by email.
- North Slope Haul Road/Dalton Highway, gets you most of the way there (Prudhoe Bay itself is closed to public access), and has most of the species you mention in low densities.
If you can get your hands on a copy of The Birder's Guide to Alaska, second edition, it has most everything you could want to know about where to find what birds and when.
If you make it through Fairbanks, let me know; with a little notice I might be able to break away and take you to a few spots.