Discovery Islands Bald Eagle Photography Expedition

Overview

Join us for an immersive photography workshop at Nanook Lodge, where your camera becomes a gateway into the wild heart of coastal British Columbia. Over four days, you’ll capture intimate moments of the region’s bald and golden eagles, sea- and shore-birds, rugged island landscapes, and the dramatic light of the Inside Passage.
This experience is designed for dedicated wildlife and nature photographers (intermediate to advanced level) who want to elevate their craft in a pristine wilderness setting — no fishing trips, just pure photographic focus.

What’s Included

• Accommodation at the gorgeous Nanook Lodge (3 nights) in comfortable lodge rooms. More information about the rooms visit this link https://www.nanooklodge.com/the-lodge

• All meals: hearty breakfasts, lunches in the field, gourmet dinners at the lodge.

• Daily guided field sessions with an experienced wildlife photography host (me) plus local knowledge/support from Nanook’s team.

• Multiple dedicated eagle-photography outings (boat and shoreline) along with landscape and habitat shoots.

• Evening image review & edit sessions: sharing best frames, critiquing composition, discussing lighting, gear settings and workflow.

• Pre-workshop planning package: gear checklist (lenses, bodies, memory cards, photo-backup), pre-trip brief on tide/lighting/wildlife behaviour, and a private briefing call.

What We’ll Cover

• Field techniques for photographing eagles in flight, perching and feeding.

• Using natural light in coastal forests, shoreline, and open ocean settings.

• Compositional storytelling: integrating subject, habitat and environment.

• Wildlife behaviour cues – how to anticipate action and capture decisive moments.

• Post-capture workflow: RAW processing, cataloguing, sharpening for wildlife, colour correction, noise reduction for high-ISO.

• Portfolio review – discussing which images stand out, how to build a cohesive collection.

Daily Itinerary (sample)

Day 1 – Arrival & Orientation

• Arrive at Nanook Lodge via float plane/boat. Welcome dinner and orientation.

• Evening briefing: gear, schedule, tide & wildlife overview.

Day 2 – Shoreline & Island Forest Eagles

• Early morning outing to tidal flats/shoreline for perching eagles and seabirds.

• Mid-day break at lodge for lunch and gear check.

• Afternoon forest edge walk for perched and tree-nesting eagles.

• Evening image review.

Day 3 – Boat Expedition & Flight Sequences

• Dawn departure by boat to open-water vantage points for eagles in flight and fishing.

• Lunch on board or picnic on sheltered beach.

• Afternoon return, shoot near the lodge of shoreline, reflections and habitat shots.

• Evening editing session and group critique.

Day 4 – Final Morning & Departure

• Early field session focused on any missed shottypes: juvenile eagles, different light angles, habitat context.

• Wrap-up lunch, final image share, print/portfolio discussion.

• Afternoon departure from Nanook Lodge.

Dining Experience — Fresh, Local & Unforgettable

At Nanook Lodge, the cuisine is an integral part of your journey — a fresh-and-local dining experience that complements the wild beauty you’re photographing.

Seasonal Pacific Northwest Menu – From wild salmon to Dungeness crab, Ling cod and rockfish, the lodge kitchen takes advantage of the rich coastal ecosystem. Fresh local produce from Vancouver Island farms and coastal berries round out menus with vibrant seasonal flavours.

Meals to Match Your Adventure – Each day begins with a hot lunch before field sessions; packed lunches are available for boating and excursions. Dinners are beautifully plated and often enjoyed al fresco on the lodge’s oceanfront deck or in the cozy dining room overlooking Big Bay, paired with house beer, wine and stellar views.

Custom Oyster Bar & Social Time – Make time for post-shoot snacks like fresh oysters and cold microbrews at the custom oyster bar before dinner, or linger over dessert by the fire under coastal skies.

Whether you’re sipping coffee before sunrise or sharing stories over dinner, the lodge’s dining experience enhances the camaraderie and wilderness immersion of your photography retreat.

Who This Workshop Is For

• Wildlife/nature photographers comfortable with their gear and ready to focus on high-quality output.

• Hobbyist photographers, or those who want a dedicated photo-only experience in a remote and wild BC location.

• Photographers who value small-group interaction, field instruction and in-depth critique.

What to Bring / Prerequisites

• DSLR or mirrorless body (preferably two bodies if you have them).

• Telephoto lens (300mm+, ideally 400–600mm) for eagle portraits & flight. Wide-angle or zoom (24-70mm/70-200mm) for environmental context.

• Tripod/monopod optional (for shore/habitat work).

• Memory cards, external backup drive, laptop/tablet for image review.

• Weather-proof gear: coastal BC weather can change rapidly. Good waterproof jacket, boots, layers.

• Sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, and any personal medications.

• Patience, respect for wildlife, and a readiness for early starts & variable conditions.

Investment & Booking

Spaces will be limited to keep the experience focused and intimate. A non-refundable 50% deposit will secure your spot, with balance due 60 days before departure.

Cost: $8,000 CAD — Space limited, only 5 spots available.

Duration: 4 days / 3 nights, May 26th-29th
Location: Nanook Lodge, Stuart Island, BC’s Discovery Islands

Why This Experience Stands Out

Nanook Lodge is tucked into one of Canada’s most spectacular wild-coast ecosystems, offering photographers access to eagles, marine mammals, coastal forests and dramatic sea-inlets in a single region. The combination of expertly guided field time, dedicated image review, small group size and fully-supported accommodations makes this workshop a standout opportunity to elevate your wildlife imagery.