Each summer, thousands of Pacific walrus migrate into the shallow waters of Bristol Bay to feed on clams and other marine organisms, after a winter of breeding on the ice floes in the Bering and Chukchi seas almost 1,000 miles north. Between feeding cycles, the male walrus come into shore to rest at isolated haul-out beaches in throughout the bay, and specifically within Togiak National Wildlife Refuge.
Join us as we travel to a pristine wilderness area-Cape Pierce-a lonely outpost where Bristol Bay becomes the Bering Sea. A rare combination of tundra terrain, lakes and streams, bays, coastal headlands, cliffs, and broad sandy beaches offer us an opportunity to observe and photograph a rich concentration of birds and wildlife. On any given day in the summer, there are anywhere from hundreds to a thousand bull walruses hauled out on the isolated shores. Endangered Steller sea lions and harbor seals haul out on the coast as well. Brown bears scavenge the beaches, along with river otters, mink, red fox, and wolverine. Gray and beluga whales move through the area and even moose and caribou may be seen. Whitefish, Arctic char, and five species of Pacific salmon (pink, chum, coho, sockeye, and king) move through Nanvak Bay near Cape Pierce.
Hundreds of thousands of waterfowl and nesting birds also inhabit the area throughout their migrations. Brant, white-fronted and emperor geese, dunlin and bar-tailed godwit are common. Colonial seabirds nest on headlands and cliffs.
Our small group flies by floatplane from Dillingham, a 90-minute flight across Bristol Bay, to its outer edge. We round Cape Pierce and land on a lake on the coast. We set up a tented base camp near the cape, and take daily forays out on the beaches, tundra or cliffs to observe and photograph wildlife. Walrus numbers vary daily, and they are highly susceptible to human disturbance. We are cognizant of our impact, so we keep our group size small and our movements to a minimum.
The tundra hiking is excellent, and there are good perches from which to view walrus and birds. Weather, always a factor in Alaska, takes on special importance at Cape Pierce. While stretches of sunshine occur throughout the summer, conditions can change quickly and can be tough, with rain and wind, testing people and equipment. We utilize sturdy 4-season tents and a strong teepee expedition cook/dining tent to maintain a high level of comfort. For wildlife lovers and photographers alike, our basecamp offers an extraordinary opportunity to photograph one of the world's most unusual marine mammals in its natural habitat, a species now threatened by a warming Arctic climate.
Hugh Rose will be your guide/naturalist for this trip. A widely published professional photographer, Hugh has spent the past decade observing, interpreting and photographing Alaska's natural beauty and wildlife. He is keen to share this place of spectacular beauty with others.
