Feast your eyes on puffins, whales, Steller sea lions, Bear glacier and the Gulf of Alaska's rugged and stunning coast.  This is a must-see experience! 

Spend the day on our private and spacious boat.  Here we will have the time and freedom to explore up to 100 miles of coastal Alaska in search of not just seascapes, but plenty of birds and wildlife. Species often spotted on this tour include:

•  Tufted puffin 

•  Horned puffin

•  Humpback whale

•  Orca whale

•  Dall porpoise

•  Steller's Sea Lion

•  Northern Sea Otter

•  Harbor seal

•  Bald eagle

•  Common murre

•  Pigeon guillemot

•  Mottled murrelet

•  Black oystercatcher

•  Rhinoceros auklet

•  Pelagic cormorant

•  Black-legged kittiwake

•  Glaucous-winged gull

You will indulge in the palpable sights and a cacophony of sounds of massive black-legged kittiwake rookeries. We will also view rafting common murres.  Our search for whales will commonly result in humpback and orca, with the occasional Dall porpoise, fin and Minke whales if we are lucky!  We'll also search for the huge, endangered Steller’s Sea Lions and scan the cliffs for Mountain Goats.  Some of our most scenic moments will include Bear Glacier, Fox Island Spit, and "Spire cove,” along one of Alaska's most photographable seascapes.

Additionally, for those that wish to do so, we can include a brief sportfishing experience designed to quickly catch black rockfish, a prized whitefish known for its delicate, mild flavor and wonderful texture.  We will outfit you with the fishing poles and abundant assistance to help you easily catch these fish.  The fish are then cleaned by our deckhand and vacuum sealed.  Average sized fish weigh about 4-7 pounds.  Our chef will prepare your fresh catch for dinner!

 

Board our private boat for an exclusive 6-hour excursion into Kachemak Bay. This customized tour, offering unique experiences not available in previous years, is designed to showcase the unparalleled beauty of the area. 

While exploring the serene waters of Halibut Cove and various other bays and coves, you'll enjoy a Langell Photography exclusive--pause at a beautiful location to enjoy have a delicious, hot, hearty picnic style lunch while dining along the shores of one of Kachemak Bay's beautiful remote coves, and then continue exploring the coast and islands for birds and wildlife.  

During lunch, our Captain will join us!  He will answer your questions while also sharing fascinating local stories, history, and knowledge about the local ecology here.  Our special lunch will definitely add breadth and depth to your experience in this region!

Our guide and expert birder will take us throughout the bay to locations that are known for a variety of bird and wildlife species including:  

•  Horned and tufted puffin 

•  Common murre

•  Harbor porpoise

•  Harbor seal

•  Northern sea otter 

•  Pelagic cormorant 

•  Harlequin duck

•  Marbled murrelet

•  Black oystercatcher

•  Bald eagle

•  Pigeon guillemot

•  Black-legged kittiwake

•  Glaucous-winged gull 

One of the highlights of this tour are the close-up views we typically see of northern sea otters and their young, along with epic seascapes that give you the backdrop for incredible photography.  

Afterward, weather and tide-permitting, we will explore the Homer Spit for other images of the beach and harbor to capture the unique seascapes and details that Homer has to offer.   The "spit" offers picturesque scenes along the marina docks, shopping areas, and seashore!  

On our way back, as time permits, we will explore additional points along the Cook Inlet that often give us opportunities for photographing eagles, an active nest (hopefully), moose, songbirds, and more.  

Birds we may see this time of year include:

• Golden crowned sparrow

• Common redpoll
• White crowned sparrow

• Orange-crowned warbler

All provide wonderful opportunities for wildlife and scenic photography, allowing you to capture the essence of Alaskan wildlife and landscapes.

Described by countless Magic of Alaska participants as one of the most unforgettable adventures of their lives, this custom-designed Dog Sledding & Landscape Photography Excursion is a true highlight—delivering jaw-dropping scenery and truly epic photographic opportunities.

The experience begins with a thrilling helicopter flight over dazzling blue glaciers, deep crevasses, and cascading waterfalls as we make our way to a remote glacier. Once we land, you’ll step out onto the ice itself—surrounded by stunning alpine terrain—and meet the sled dogs and mushers who will guide us through this snowy wonderland.

You'll first ride the sleds, giving you a unique, immersive vantage point for capturing the landscape. Then we’ll position ourselves to photograph the sled teams against a backdrop of soaring peaks and icy vistas—an ideal setup for creating striking, iconic images that celebrate both the grandeur of Alaska and the rich tradition of dog mushing. This exclusive experience was collaboratively crafted by Lisa Langell and is designed with photographers in mind—it’s truly one-of-a-kind.

Expect a mix of landscape photography, action shots of dog sledding, expressive portraits of the dogs, and more. Capture both stills and video—even on your smartphone—to bring this adventure to life through your lens.

After the scenic return flight, the adventure continues with a wildlife scouting expedition. We'll be on the lookout for moose, bears, birds, and other Alaskan wildlife to round out an already extraordinary day of photography and exploration.

We will embark by air to a remote location in Lake Clark National Park for bear viewing and photography for the day.

This scenic ~30 minute flight provides stunning views, abstract photography opportunities, and more as we fly over mud flats, tundra, volcanoes, mountains and glaciers. 

We will land in an area with habitat that draws coastal brown bears from around the region, offering photographic opportunities for these incredible, iconic animals! Guided by professionals who understand bear behavior and safety and accompanied by your photo instructor, we will spend the day looking for photographic moments of the bears and scenery in the area before returning by air to the Kenai Peninsula.

Explore the Kenai Peninsula Wildlife Refuge via the waters of the Kasilof River, known for its serene, peaceful beauty. As we venture through this hidden gem, prepare to capture wildlife and scenic images that will forever etch Alaska's untamed spirit into your memory.

The Kasilof River, with its pristine waters and magnificent surroundings, provides the perfect backdrop for capturing nature's fleeting moments. Imagine the soft morning light illuminating the forest and reflecting off the shimmering river, offering a painterly palette for your lens.  

As we quietly drift along the river, be prepared to witness majestic bald eagles soaring through the sky, common loons feeding, and myriad mergansers, ducks, kingfishers, Bonaparte's gulls, Arctic terns, and more.  We will also seek to photograph moose, beaver and other species we may encounter along the way. Each encounter will leave you feeling peaceful and alive, having experienced a part of Alaska few see in this beautiful way.  With every click of your camera, you'll capture the essence of Alaska's magical allure.

Whether you are an experienced photographer looking to refine your craft or a nature enthusiast eager to preserve Alaska's natural wonders, this photo tour on the Kasilof River is an extraordinary opportunity to deepen your connection with the wild and unlock your creative potential.

Species we seek to find include:

•  Moose

•  Beaver

•  Common and red-breasted merganser

•  Greater scaup

•  Common raven

•  Bald eagle

•  Bonaparte’s gull

•  Common loon

•  Arctic tern

•  Belted kingfisher

•  Varied Thrush

•  Greater and lesser yellowlegs

•  Spotted sandpiper

You will return to the lodge in the early afternoon so that we can pack your things and be escorted to the Kenai airport to begin your trip home.