Photographing Wild Caribou: Tips for Wildlife Enthusiasts
Capturing the majestic caribou in its natural habitat is an exhilarating challenge for those with a passion for wildlife photography. The annual migration offers the most opportunities for photographing wild caribou. Tips for wildlife enthusiasts interested in capturing these magnificent creatures on film include patience, preparation, and choosing the right time and place.
Visit the Right Location
The key to a successful wildlife photography expedition begins with choosing the right location. The tundra regions of Northern Manitoba and its neighbor, the Nunavut provinces, in Canada are prime caribou country. This is home to the Kaminuriak herd, possibly North America’s healthiest herd. The Brooks Range in Alaska, a ruggedly beautiful backdrop for a caribou photography adventure, is another great caribou destination.
Prepare
Preparation is your best ally in the unpredictable embrace of the sub-arctic. Dressing in warm layers will keep you comfortable as you wait for the perfect shot, allowing you to focus on your subject rather than the chill. A sturdy tripod and a well-equipped photography bag with a selection of lenses are indispensable tools for any wildlife photographer. Remember, not every shot needs to be a close-up, so a huge, heavy telephoto lens isn’t necessary. Sometimes, capturing the caribou within the vastness of its landscape can tell a more compelling story, illustrating the true essence of the wild. The amazing fall colors of the tundra add an amazing backdrop.
Be Patient
Patience is perhaps the most crucial virtue in wildlife photography. With caribou, you may have to search for them or wait, often for hours, for that perfect moment when the caribou arrive and grace you with their presence. It’s a waiting game, Luckily, once they arrive these magnificent creatures will stay in one spot for extended periods of time, allowing for planned shots. When that moment arrives, and you capture it through your lens, the sense of achievement is beyond compare.
Consider setting up your base at a fly-in lodge that offers excursions for wildlife viewing if you want to combine your love for arctic adventures with the thrill of wildlife photography. Gangler’s offers the Courage Lake Northern Lights Tundra Safari, an unforgettable experience where you can see the northern lights and, with luck, witness caribou migrations in late August and September.
Another tour features polar bear and beluga viewing out of Churchill, Manitoba, for those intrigued by the Arctic’s diverse wildlife. Book our beluga whale tour in Churchill, Manitoba, and immerse yourself in the landscape’s unparalleled beauty. Our tips for wildlife enthusiasts wanting to photograph real wild caribou can help you capture memories few can say they have ever witnessed.
