Brown bear in rain chewing grass with calm water in the background.

Visiting the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Sanctuary

(This post is part of our wildlife photography expedition to Canada – links to other parts of the trip will be added once we finish them) Getting to the Khutzeymateen from Prince Rupert After three days in Prince Rupert, it was finally time to depart for the Khutzeymateen. Trips leave from the commercial dock, with […]

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A bright orange life ring labeled "Northern Expedition – Victoria" is mounted on the railing of a ferry deck. The calm ocean and distant landmasses are visible in the background under a partly cloudy blue sky. A green sign next to the ring indicates life-saving equipment.

Taking the BC Ferry from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert

(This post is part of our wildlife photography expedition to Canada – links to other parts of the trip will be added once we finish them) Planning the Journey to Khutzeymateen Grizzly Sanctuary After three days in northern Vancouver Island, it was time for the next part of our itinerary: the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Sanctuary. How […]

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Lava fountain erupting at night with glowing flow

Starry Skies and an Erupting Volcano

(This post is part of our wildlife photography expedition to Canada – links to other parts of the trip will be added once we finish them) Stargazing at Mauna Kea Of course we had pool time today, but the highlight was heading up to Mauna Kea for some night sky photography. From the Kohala Coast […]

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Flying from Australia to Canada on Points (with a Hawaii Stopover)

(This post is part of our wildlife photography expedition to Canada – links to other parts of the trip will be added once we finish them) Flying from Australia to Canada on Points (with a Hawaii Stopover) Finding reward seats from Australia to the U.S. or Canada feels like trying to photograph a tufted puffin […]

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Close up of bearded seal with curled whiskers

Reflections on Our Trip to Svalbard (and Svalbard departure travel tips)

This trip wasn’t about ticking off a long list of wildlife sightings or firing off thousands of frames. It was about chasing Arctic light, slowing down, and experiencing one of the most remote, surreal landscapes on Earth. Svalbard Pre-Trip I’m so glad we arrived in Svalbard a few days before our expedition. It gave us […]

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Northern Fulmar flying over snowy Arctic mountains

Birds of Svalbard

Svalbard’s remote and icy landscapes are home to a surprisingly rich bird community. Some were graceful, while others seemed almost clumsy. Birds of Svalbard Glaucous Gull Glaucous gulls are one of the most common seabirds in Svalbard — but I love any bird that is in focus and well lit. Ivory Gull The Ivory Gull […]

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Polar bear walking across icy Arctic glacier field

Polar Bears (a.k.a. pixel bears)

In 2025, Norway introduced stricter regulations on viewing polar bears in Svalbard, aimed at protecting the animals from unnecessary disturbance. The new rules require visitors to stay at least 500 meters away from polar bears between March 1 and June 30, and 300 meters from July 1 to February 28. While I completely support protecting […]

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