Hi Marcia and Abbi!!!!  Hope you enjoy your cruise to Alaska!!   So glad you're smart about the "Telephoto/Long Lens" mentality about viewing wildlife.  I'm sure you heard about the idiot that was mauled in Denali State Park a couple of weeks ago because he didn't heed the rules of the park and maintain the mandated distance from the bears.  Wildlife is abundant in Alaska, but you just have to be smart when it comes to observing these entertaining and beautiful creatures.  Hope to see a few pics of your Alaska adventure!!!

I work in remote wilderness mountain areas in the summers and it is amazing how many ppl do not realize or heed how dangerous wild animals are.     Moose, griz, black bear and esp polar bears, buffalos, cougars to name just a few WILL charge and WILL attack and possibly kill you....you should NEVER go off alone and def get a telephoto lens...i totally agree.    Ive seen a LOT of damage bears have done to cars, buildings, metal etc.....ripping things off to get to food....do NOT keep food near you or in your car  in remote areas either.     everyone be safe and have a great time on your excursions but yes invest in a good camera!

I totally agree! Anyone wanting to photograph nature needs to respect the laws of nature! Bears and people do NOT mix - if you wish to take pics of WILDlife - then save a life and invest in a better camera than a $100 pocket camera... If your lens doesn't zoom as far as you wish, upgrade! It's YOUR own life you will be saving... I know my wife and I specifically bought a camera with a hell-a-zoom on it specifically for all of our Oliviacations... Amsterdam, Alaska, etc... We knew we would be ending up in amazing places with amazing people and amazing views - and we wanted to be sure we had a good enough camera to capture "the moment"...

~ Marcia }|{ 

don't know how many times while we have backpacked in the back-country...that we have seen people try to get up close to the wildlife that's around...stay far back...that's what they make telephoto lenses for people!!!

and yes the wildlife thru no fault of their own...is also often the victim too

 

Yes, it is important to always respect wild animals. Too bad for this man and the bear that he did not heed that warning!

Although the hiker had recieved the mandatory bear awareness training required, it appears from his camera he was far closer than the quarter mile required by park law from the grazing bear.  A sad day for Denali National Park.  It definitely gives us pause to remember and respect wild animals.  My prayers are for the family and for all those involved in this horrible turn of events. 

   I hesitated to post this but feel it is important.  A hiker was killed by a grizzly bear last week.  It was the first attack in Denali Park since it's opening and all the rangers are in shock.  I strongly encourage all my sisters visiting Denali to stay with the group and follow ALL safety recommendations.

She was probably hunting moose and whispering in someone's ear LOL

I think when we were just in Russia...we could see "you-know-who" on her front porch...sitting there with her shotgun

Where do they come up with these things??  Maybe at you-know-who's house where you can see Russia from the porch! LOL

no...it's true...the laws are still on the books!

That is too FUNNY!!

 

Laws in Alaska that are still on the books…

so…just in case…be careful

 

Moose may not be viewed from an airplane

It is illegal for a moose to walk on the sidewalk downtown

It is illegal to whisper in someone's ear while they are moose hunting

It is considered an offense to push a live moose out of a moving airplane

While it is legal to shoot bears…waking a sleeping bear for the purpose of taking a photograph is prohibited