Canonical URL: https://natureslens.co.uk/2024/06/05/ultimate-alaska-wildlife-photography-holiday/ # Two Alaska Trips, One Winter — Why Combining Sea Otters, Eagles & Bubble-Netting Whales Works Published on June 5, 2024 [![A Pair Of Bald Eagles On One Of The Beaches Found In Kachemak Bay Photographed During The Natureslens Sea Otters Bald Eagles Of Alaska Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/A-pair-of-Bald-Eagles-on-one-of-the-beaches-found-in-Kachemak-Bay-photographed-during-the-NaturesLens-Sea-Otters-Bald-Eagles-of-Alaska-photography-holiday-1024x769.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/A-pair-of-Bald-Eagles-on-one-of-the-beaches-found-in-Kachemak-Bay-photographed-during-the-NaturesLens-Sea-Otters-Bald-Eagles-of-Alaska-photography-holiday.jpg) Written by [David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/guides/david/) with images contributed by [Pui Hang Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/guides/pui-hang/). We run two distinct photography trips in Alaska, each targeting different species in different environments. Taken individually, both are strong. Taken together — one immediately after the other — they cover a range of [Alaskan](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/north-america/united-states/) wildlife that would be very difficult to match on any single trip. The first, our [Sea Otters & Bald Eagles of Alaska photography holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/united-states/eagles-of-alaska/), is based around the Kenai Peninsula. The second, the [Bubble-Netting Whales](https://natureslens.co.uk/for/bubble-netting-whales/) of Alaska photography holiday, works the waters off Sitka in Southeast Alaska. Running them back-to-back creates a [winter wildlife](https://natureslens.co.uk/for/winter-wildlife-tours/) photography experience that spans coastal [mammals](https://natureslens.co.uk/for/mammal/), raptors, & marine megafauna. [![A Group Of Bubble Netting Whales In The Waters Off The Coast Of Sitka In Alaska](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-group-of-Bubble-netting-Whales-in-the-waters-off-the-coast-of-Sitka-in-Alaska.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-group-of-Bubble-netting-Whales-in-the-waters-off-the-coast-of-Sitka-in-Alaska.jpg) ## Sea Otters & Bald Eagles – Kenai Peninsula The [Sea Otters & Bald Eagles trip](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/united-states/eagles-of-alaska/) is based around Kachemak Bay on the [Kenai Peninsula](https://natureslens.co.uk/for/kenai-peninsula/). [Sea otters](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/sea-otter/) here are habituated to boats & regularly haul out on ice, giving you close-range opportunities for portraits & behavioural images. They are endlessly watchable subjects — feeding, grooming, rolling — & the ice-&-water backgrounds produce clean, graphic compositions. [![An Inquisitive Alaskan Sea Otter On Ice In The Harbour Of Homer Photographed During A Natureslens Alaskan Wildlife Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/An-inquisitive-Alaskan-Sea-Otter-on-ice-in-the-harbour-of-Homer-photographed-during-a-NaturesLens-Alaskan-Wildlife-photography-holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/An-inquisitive-Alaskan-Sea-Otter-on-ice-in-the-harbour-of-Homer-photographed-during-a-NaturesLens-Alaskan-Wildlife-photography-holiday.jpg) [Bald eagles](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/bald-eagle/) are the other headline subject. They concentrate along the coast in winter, & the combination of snow-capped mountains, frozen waterfalls, & icy blue water creates backdrops that elevate standard flight photography into something more distinctive. The eagles are active, territorial, & photogenic — you’ll photograph them in flight, perched, feeding, & interacting. [![One Of The Bald Eagles Stalls To Land On One Of The Beaches Found In Kachemak Bay Photographed During The Natureslens Sea Otters Bald Eagles Of Alaska Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/One-of-the-Bald-Eagles-stalls-to-land-on-one-of-the-beaches-found-in-Kachemak-Bay-photographed-during-the-NaturesLens-Sea-Otters-Bald-Eagles-of-Alaska-photography-holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/One-of-the-Bald-Eagles-stalls-to-land-on-one-of-the-beaches-found-in-Kachemak-Bay-photographed-during-the-NaturesLens-Sea-Otters-Bald-Eagles-of-Alaska-photography-holiday.jpg) ## Bubble-Netting Whales – Sitka The whale trip moves to the waters around [Sitka](https://natureslens.co.uk/specific-location/sitka/), where [humpback whales](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/humpback-whale/) engage in bubble-net feeding — a cooperative hunting technique in which a group of whales corrals herring with a tightening ring of bubbles, then lunges through the surface together. It is explosive, unpredictable, & produces some of the most dramatic wildlife images you can capture from a boat. [![A Surfacing Pod Of Bubble Netting Whales Off The Coast Of Sitka In Alaska](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-surfacing-pod-of-Bubble-netting-Whales-off-the-coast-of-Sitka-in-Alaska.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-surfacing-pod-of-Bubble-netting-Whales-off-the-coast-of-Sitka-in-Alaska.jpg) Six full days on the water give you repeated opportunities to photograph the feeding sequences, along with individual behaviours — breaching, fluke dives, & surface interactions. Experienced guides who know the local pods help anticipate where the next lunge will occur, giving you those critical extra seconds to frame the shot. [![A Pair Of Humpback Whale Tails Called Flukes Are Visible As The Whales Dive In The Waters Of Sitka In Alaska](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-pair-of-humpback-whale-tails-called-flukes-are-visible-as-the-whales-dive-in-the-waters-of-Sitka-in-Alaska.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-pair-of-humpback-whale-tails-called-flukes-are-visible-as-the-whales-dive-in-the-waters-of-Sitka-in-Alaska.jpg) ## Why the Combination Works? Running these two trips together creates a winter portfolio that covers very different photographic disciplines. The [sea otter](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/sea-otter/) & eagle sessions reward patience, careful composition, & working with natural light against dramatic backdrops. The whale work demands fast reactions, high frame rates, & the ability to read developing situations on the water. The contrast in pace & technique keeps the photography fresh across the full duration. [![A Pod Of Bubble Netting Whales Bursts To The Surface Off The Coast Of Sitka In Alaska](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-pod-of-Bubble-netting-Whales-bursts-to-the-surface-off-the-coast-of-Sitka-in-Alaska.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-pod-of-Bubble-netting-Whales-bursts-to-the-surface-off-the-coast-of-Sitka-in-Alaska.jpg) [Alaska](https://natureslens.co.uk/for/wildlife-in-alaska/)’s winter landscapes also provide a consistent visual thread. Snow, ice, & cold coastal light tie the images together — whether you’re photographing an eagle against a frozen waterfall or a pod of whales erupting through dark water with mountains behind. [![One Of The Bald Eagles Flies Past A Superb Backdrop Of A Frozen Waterfall Found In A Cove On Kachemak Bay Photographed During The Natureslens Sea Otters Bald Eagles Of Alaska Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/One-of-the-Bald-Eagles-flies-past-a-superb-backdrop-of-a-frozen-waterfall-found-in-a-cove-on-Kachemak-Bay-photographed-during-the-NaturesLens-Sea-Otters-Bald-Eagles-of-Alaska-photography-holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/One-of-the-Bald-Eagles-flies-past-a-superb-backdrop-of-a-frozen-waterfall-found-in-a-cove-on-Kachemak-Bay-photographed-during-the-NaturesLens-Sea-Otters-Bald-Eagles-of-Alaska-photography-holiday.jpg) Both trips can be booked individually or combined. Full details are on the [trip pages](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/united-states/eagles-of-alaska/). [![A Group Of Bubble Netting Whales In The Cold Waters Near Sitka In Alaska](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-group-of-Bubble-netting-Whales-in-the-cold-waters-near-Sitka-in-Alaska.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-group-of-Bubble-netting-Whales-in-the-cold-waters-near-Sitka-in-Alaska.jpg) - NaturesLens wildlife photography holidays are structured around photographic opportunity — every schedule decision is made around light, behaviour, & access. - Small groups of 4–8 photographers ensure unhurried positions & individual guidance. - Single occupancy accommodation is included as standard across the majority of our trips. ## Share this post - - - - [![An Atlantic Puffin Swimming On Calm Water Photographed By Robin Lowry During The Natureslens Puffins Of Iceland Photography Holiday On Grimsey Island](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/An-atlantic-puffin-swimming-on-calm-water-photographed-by-Robin-Lowry-during-the-NaturesLens-Puffins-of-Iceland-photography-holiday-on-Grimsey-Island-300x200.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/2026/09/01/grimsey-island-for-puffin-photography/) ### [Why We Recommend Visiting Grímsey Island in 2027 with Robin](https://natureslens.co.uk/2026/09/01/grimsey-island-for-puffin-photography/) September 1, 2026 With our long-running residential Skomer workshops brought to a close from 2026 & Fair Isle already full for 2027, Grímsey… - [![Heipi Travel Tripod Review](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Heipi-Travel-Tripod-Review-5.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/2026/08/26/heipi-travel-tripod-review-long-term-field-use/) ### [HEIPI Travel Tripod Review – Long-Term Field Use & Real-World Verdict](https://natureslens.co.uk/2026/08/26/heipi-travel-tripod-review-long-term-field-use/) August 26, 2026 After two years of extensive real-world use, we revisit the HEIPI Travel Tripod to see how it has stood up… - [![One Of The Pelicans Of Lake Kerkini Drifting On The Still Waters Of Lake Kerkini](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/one-of-the-pelicans-of-lake-kerkini-drifting-on-the-still-waters-of-lake-kerkini-300x200.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/2026/01/17/dalmatian-pelicans-of-lake-kerkini-2027/) ### [Dalmatian Pelicans of Lake Kerkini 2027 – New January Dates Added](https://natureslens.co.uk/2026/01/17/dalmatian-pelicans-of-lake-kerkini-2027/) January 17, 2026 The first Dalmatian Pelicans of Lake Kerkini trip for 2027 is now full. New January dates have been added, offering… In this article 1. [Sea Otters & Bald Eagles - Kenai Peninsula](https://natureslens.co.uk/2024/06/05/ultimate-alaska-wildlife-photography-holiday/#sea-otters-bald-eagles-kenai-peninsula) 1. [Bubble-Netting Whales - Sitka](https://natureslens.co.uk/2024/06/05/ultimate-alaska-wildlife-photography-holiday/#bubble-netting-whales-sitka) 1. [Why the Combination Works?](https://natureslens.co.uk/2024/06/05/ultimate-alaska-wildlife-photography-holiday/#why-the-combination-works) ### Author DM [David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/guides/david/) shares practical field notes, trip updates and wildlife photography advice from the NaturesLens programme. Next step ### Find your next wildlife photography holiday Browse small-group trips by destination, subject, season and photographic goal. [Browse Holidays](https://natureslens.co.uk/wildlife-photography-holidays/) ### Related articles [![Why We Recommend Visiting Grímsey Island In 2027 With Robin](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/An-atlantic-puffin-swimming-on-calm-water-photographed-by-Robin-Lowry-during-the-NaturesLens-Puffins-of-Iceland-photography-holiday-on-Grimsey-Island-150x150.jpg) **Why We Recommend Visiting Grímsey Island in 2027 with Robin**](https://natureslens.co.uk/2026/09/01/grimsey-island-for-puffin-photography/) [![Heipi Travel Tripod Review – Long-Term Field Use &Amp; Real-World Verdict](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Heipi-Travel-Tripod-Review-5.jpg) **HEIPI Travel Tripod Review – Long-Term Field Use & Real-World Verdict**](https://natureslens.co.uk/2026/08/26/heipi-travel-tripod-review-long-term-field-use/) ### Field notes by email New articles, trip reports and wildlife photography holiday announcements from NaturesLens. 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