18 GOING WILD ACROSS CANADA
The accompanying guides not only know the area , they ’ re all experienced wildlife photographers eager to share pro tips with their guests . In addition , the company has partnered with Polar Bears International , which educates staff and travellers about global warming and its impact on the polar bear . Frontier North Adventures has also started converting its fleet of Tundra buggies to electric power . “ We wanted a Manitoba wildlife experience that is also sustainable ,” says Cupeiro .
Bald Eagles of Smart Island , British Columbia
As a destination for wildlife photography , few provinces can compete with British Columbia . Its broad geographic diversity supports a staggering number of animal , bird and plant species . The challenge for the novice wildlife photographer , then , lies in where to begin . Nanook Wildlife Tours is ready to help .
What started 40 years ago as a fishing lodge off Stuart Island is now a niche tourism operator offering customized , small-group experiences . “[ Some ] things happened that forced a change in our plans ,” says Sam Anderson , owner . “ Fishing regulations often change and the potential of the area for bucket list moments was incredible .”
For sheer uniqueness , the feeding frenzy of the bald eagles leaves everyone who witnesses it in awe . Hundreds of bald eagles , one of the largest gatherings of eagles anywhere in the world , roam the trees and skies of Stuart Island . From May to July , the punishing deep sea tides force juvenile hake fish to the surface , where the eagles , en masse , swoop down in a feast to end all feasts .
“ My favourite thing is showing the people the magic of the region ,” says Anderson . “ Sometimes they don ’ t know where to point their camera … their jaws drop and their cameras [ just ] hang from their necks .”
The hake fish smorgasbord happens at least twice a day from May to July . There ’ s plenty of fish to go around , too . Hake make up one of the largest bio-masses on Canada ’ s west coast .
The tours are led by experienced guides , such as Anderson , and local professional photographers . The Nanook Lodge offers a rustic , family resort with private rooms and baths , multiple decks overlooking the Pacific Ocean , great sunsets and , of course , great seafood . It ’ s not just the eagles that are well-fed here .
PHOTOS COURTESY OF NANOOK LODGE AND WILDLIFE PHOTO TOURS