adventure Archives - Photo Tips, Creative Photography + Travel Guides - The Wandering Lens

Experience The Great Bear Rainforest at Farewell Harbour Lodge

Lisa Michele Burns — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 11:18:56 +0000

Visual Hotel Review: Farewell Harbour Lodge, Canada Taking a deep breath as I sat on the boat’s bow, sunshine as warm as the tea in my hand beaming down, water lapping gently on the hull and my camera already filled with images of Grizzly Bears. I closed my eyes and began to imagine what this scene must appear like when viewed from above… There we were, a little boat floating amongst towering mountains rising from an archipelago of islands in a calm water cove where bears roam the shores while humpbacks and orcas cruise the seas. A palette of greens blending into blues within the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world! Opening my eyes again proved this place is in fact a reality… Welcome to the Great Bear Rainforest of Canada and in particular, one very special corner of it called Farewell Harbour Lodge on Berry Island. Here the word lush takes on a new meaning as forests home to some of the oldest and largest trees meet waters so full of life you can barely travel a few minutes without seeing seals, dolphins or the gentle giants of the sea cruising by. Words fail to describe the calmness...

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Visual Hotel Review – Alto Atacama Desert Lodge, Chile

Lisa Michele Burns — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 08:37:56 +0000

A luxury adventure stay at San Pedro de Atacama On approach to Alto Atacama, my eyes were glued to the window and mouth stuck in the wow position, stunned by the Mars-like scenery we were driving through. Smacking my jet lagged face with a dollop of reality, the fact I had just arrived at the driest desert on earth really hit home and a rush of inspiration and adrenaline suddenly took over. Chlie’s Atacama Desert has an average rainfall of mere millimeters each year, making it the driest place on earth wedged between the Andes and Chilean Coastal Mountains in a rain shadow. Due to the other worldly formations found in this region, it’s a popular destination for landscape photographers and it was this reason, paired with the climate project I’m working on that brought me to the Alto Atacama Desert Lodge and Spa. While searching for somewhere remote that had the ability to help with logistics for reaching certain areas I was keen to photograph, I stumbled upon this gem. It just so happens to be one of the most luxurious, eco friendly and private locations in San Pedro de Atacama, completely enveloped by natural surroundings in the Catarpe...

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Ilulissat, Greenland – A Guide to Photogenic Experiences

Lisa Michele Burns — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 00:47:23 +0000

Capture the Magic of Greenland in Ilulissat Ilulissat is somewhere you need to visit in your lifetime if you’re into icebergs and all things arctic. Frozen natural wonders meet a culture that’s as fascinating as it is colourful forming a photogenic dreamscape of possibilities. As Greenland’s third largest city, Ilulissat is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ilulissat Icefjord where the world’s fastest moving glacier funnels icebergs towards Disko Bay. It’s a sight that’s hard to comprehend upon first glace. It’s sheer scale, shapes, patterns and the vast whiteness can take a few days to really soak up so be sure to plan for at least five days! Basing yourself in Ilulissat is a great way to ensure you can take advantage of the many tours and hiking routes that begin in town. Having spent two weeks exploring the region in July, I’ve put together this guide of photogenic experiences should you need a little inspiration for your own trip. Midnight Sun Icefjord Cruise Prepare yourself for what will be one of the best evenings of your life. No question. Before you’ve barely left the harbour at 10pm, the boat will be cruising past floating icebergs, some...

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The Best Places to Photograph Puffins in Iceland + Europe

Christa Rolls — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 23:00:29 +0000

Puffins have been dubbed the clowns of the sea, as their brightly coloured bill and charisma make them irresistible to bird and nature lovers alike. Written by Christa Rolls – Founder of Expedition Wildlife. There are multiple species of puffin in the world, and the Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) is the only species found in Europe, with over half of the world’s population living in Iceland. Puffins are colonial birds, wherein they nest in large groups to share habitat and food resources and protect themselves against predators. Their colonial nature makes spotting puffins that much easier. Most of the year, from approximately August to March, Puffins remain out to sea, living on the ocean and foraging for food through winter. Their primary diet consists of small fish, such as herring and sand eels, presenting wonderful photography opportunities with fish filled to their bill’s brim. Puffins come back to their breeding grounds, on grassy and steep slopes by coastal cliffs, in full-force starting in April. WHERE TO SEE PUFFINS While cliff-sides and sea stacks may be somewhat arduous to visit, there are a handful of destinations in Europe that allow people the opportunity to see and photograph puffins. The best countries...

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Wilderness Wonders at Kulala Desert Lodge, Namibia

Lisa Michele Burns — Wed, 05 Feb 2020 07:19:14 +0000

Kulala Desert Lodge – A Visual Hotel Review Staring into the distance, sand dunes dance in a haze of heat and oryx are spotted wandering on the horizon. It’s a desert scene of dreams, one that you can experience somewhere just as rugged as it is luxurious; Kulala Desert Lodge. Namibia is one of those places that takes your breath away at first sight. Flying over vast landscapes of rocky, sandy wonders was just the start of my time in the Namib Desert, on route to Sossusvlei, one of the most photogenic regions on earth. As we descended towards the runway, a small dirt airstrip beside mountainous ranges, it became obvious the desert was far larger than I’d imagined. Those images we see of Sossusvlei on Instagram are one thing, actually seeing the entire region from above and witnessing the expansive landscapes as they stretch for hundreds of miles is another. I’d actually say that nothing can really prepare you for how Namibia will dazzle you, especially when travelling with Wilderness Safaris. From Windhoek it’s roughly one hour by small plane with Wilderness Air, a flight you want your camera out for the entire way. The scenes below are some of...

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Behind the Scenes: Hiking in Kari Gorge, Atacama Desert

Lisa Michele Burns — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 09:27:27 +0000

Crackling walls of salt crystals and sand dunes… Standing on the edge of the Salt Mountain range, we peered into the valley below where patterns weaved throughout a dry, river floor. Rugged, rocky, part desert and part alpine it’s a bizarre scene to step into… Volcanoes feature across the skyline and jagged rocks fill the foreground. Shades vary from earthy red to brilliant white, a crusted carpet of salt, one of the ever present scenes in Chile’s Atacama Desert. Trying not to lag behind while taking photos, I kept telling myself to get a wriggle on despite the urge to fill an entire memory card within metres of the trail starting. The landscapes of the Atacama Desert are simply mesmerising and this hike had been recommended very highly by the team Alto Atacama so I knew I was in for something special further along the path… Kari Gorge lies within the Salt Mountain range near the village of San Pedro de Atacama and shares a landscape with the Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon). The hiking trail kicks off just a short drive from the main highway, venturing along the valley rim then veering down toward the dried...

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Photogenic Experiences in Whistler, Canada

Lisa Michele Burns — Wed, 03 Jul 2019 21:26:38 +0000

Getting snap happy in Whistler this summer! Fresh mountain air…there’s something so inspiring about being surrounded by it, letting it fill your lungs as you hike, paddle or simply sit and stare at the scenery. Alpine regions have long attracted photographers for their rugged landscapes and on a recent trip to Canada, I explored one of the best, Whistler. Long known as the number one ski resort in North America, Whistler has been attracting international crowds for years, in fact it’s quite a challenge to walk down the main street without hearing the odd Aussie accent. Whether you can ski (I can’t!), snowboard, mountain bike or regular old hike there’s something to fulfill every adrenaline junkie’s dream but there’s also some very photogenic experiences that funnily enough involve sitting down. I’ll confess, when I set out to write this guide I had a list of the locations and adventures I wanted to share, then I noticed that there was a comfy little connection between most of them…they involved sitting on your derrière and snapping happily away as the magnificent scenery passed by. Can photography get any better than that? Actually it can, there’s always the chance of seeing a bear...

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Photography Locations + Places to Visit in Iran

Odette Haye — Wed, 15 May 2019 01:56:30 +0000

An Iran Travel Guide for Photographers For the adventurous, curious and open-minded traveller, places still exist that exude a certain mystery and hidden beauty. Iran is one of those places, not typically found on many wish lists but somewhere that draws interest from photographers seeking a unique destination where natural wonders and architectural marvels meet. Odette Haye, travel photographer and author of the Omnivagant, has been kind enough to create this guide based on her experiences photographing in Iran. From the mountains in the North of Iran to the Persian Gulf, Iran is a country that is filled with the most rugged, pure and unique landscapes. Imagine deserts as far as the eye can see, snow topped mountain peaks and the most beautiful blue waters of the ocean. And while Iran’s nature alone is enough to book a flight to Iran, it is the city and the beautiful architecture of Iran that also should not be forgotten. Palaces, mosques and ancient cities with the most unique and beautiful details, it’s the combination of man made vs. natural sights that makes Iran a dream come true for photographers. Now, let’s get started with the most beautiful photography locations in Iran. To...

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Photographing on Safari – A Bucket List Adventure in Africa

Lisa Michele Burns — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 09:36:36 +0000

A whirlwind adventure where the wild things roam… The grassland opens up as your safari vehicle cruises through the African savannah. Suddenly a shape forms in the distance and you see it. Its regal presence and majestic mane, you’re about to be one of the lucky ones granted a glimpse into the wild world of the king. The African Lion… Expectations are something that easily soar above mountain peaks and lead us to dreaming up what we hope an experience will become. Sometimes they’re met, other times they’re shattered but when it comes to a safari experience in South Africa, boy are they exceeded in the most magnificent of ways. As a photographer, a safari is the pinnacle of adventure. The unknown creates a heightened level of suspense, camera at the ready and eyes gazing in all directions. It’s anyone’s guess as to what you’ll be photographing next. Within seconds of landing on a dirt airstrip in the Madikwe Game Reserve, north-west of Johannesburg, I saw my first zebra standing beneath an umbrella thorn tree. I’d expected to maybe see an elephant during the trip but the secret was immediately out, an African safari really IS a true bucket list...

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Golden, BC – Alpine Adventures at Purcell Mountain Lodge

Lisa Michele Burns — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 23:59:38 +0000

Visual Hotel Review – Purcell Mountain Lodge Coordinates – 51°15’39.1″N 117°18’56.1″W Flying over alpine wonders in a private helicopter, gazing upon landscapes you’ll be exploring in the coming days as you keep your eyes peeled for grizzly bears. It’s not your average way to get from A to B but wow, if an arrival to Purcell Mountain Lodge doesn’t put you in the adventurous mood, nothing will. More than 3,000 acres of mountain meadows, ridges and peaks surround this luxury lodge where you can unplug and truly soak up the spirit of the Canadian wilderness. With the rim of Glacier National Park a mere metres walk away, Copperstain Mountain across the valley and Sir Donald looming to the west, you’re spoilt for choice as to which direction to look first. From your room, views of glaciers compete for attention alongside fields of wildflowers in summer and frosty the snowman territory in winter. A Backcountry Retreat in British Columbia Purcell Mountain Lodge has been operating since 1990 and rests at 2200m in altitude in the Purcell Mountains, a short 10minute helicopter ride from Golden in British Columbia. From your room, views of glaciers compete for attention alongside fields of wildflowers in...

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Revelstoke + Golden, BC – A Kootenay Rockies Photography Guide

Lisa Michele Burns — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 09:09:00 +0000

Your curated travel guide to Golden and Revelstoke, British Columbia. Roam where the woods appear taller, the alpine views are uninterrupted, and the vibe is all about outdoor adventures. Welcome to the chilled-out national park corridor of the Canadian Rockies, the Kootenay Rockies. Here you won’t find the crowds of Banff and Jasper, instead, just a short drive west from Lake Louise through Yoho National Park will reveal a photogenic wilderness in British Columbia. There are hiking trails, ski fields, lakes and view-points around every corner. If you’re visiting the Rockies, you need to allow for a few days to cross provinces and explore around Golden and Revelstoke, their small-town charm and nearby photography opportunities are hard to beat. So, let me get started on proving why it’s worth visiting by sharing some of the best photography locations and outdoor experiences you can have in and around Revelstoke and Golden! From walking with wolves to helicopter rides over mountain peaks, scenic lakes and seeing bears, below you’ll find a map, then scroll down for further details on some of the photogenic highlights from my time in the region. MAP: Photography Locations in and around Revelstoke + Golden. Photogenic Experiences +...

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Underwater Photography: Kayaking Glacial Meltwater in Canada

Lisa Michele Burns — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 00:18:16 +0000

Hidden high in the Lillooet Range of British Columbia, Canada you’ll find vibrant turquoise streams of glacial meltwater. This natural phenomenon only happens for a few weeks each year and I have to say, photographing this landscape in is something I’ll never forget. Melting rapidly as summer creeps in, the streams produce an intense clarity and a brilliant blue hue which provides a striking contrast against the surrounding snow-covered landscape. During the winter months the glacial lake is completely frozen over with snow covering the lake lying metres below the surface. Once Spring arrives in May, the lake begins to slowly thaw out, revealing colourful meltwater streams around the edges and creating what looks like a watery race track seemingly made for adventurous kayakers. Every word in the thesaurus relating to beautiful, stunning and awe inspiring is relevant. Above the surface of the meltwater alpine peaks and pines loom amidst rocky outcrops and white slopes. Below the surface a patterned floor of ice dimples ranging from a few centimetres in width to crevices more than 8ft deep in places provides a fascinating canvas to photograph. The conditions for split-level images was perfect. I’ll be honest in saying that it’s taken...

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