For the third year in a row, Helen has partnered with Algonquin Outfitters to offer you an unforgettable photography adventure in Algonquin Park: a day in the backcountry!
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Slip into your canoe and glide quietly down one of the park's interior creeks that's best known for wildlife viewing. While there are many different types of wildlife we could encounter, we're crossing our fingers for moose - think cow moose feeding at the water's edge, while her calf looks on from the shore. Maybe even capture a tender moment between mum and baby. Or watch a bull wade in water full of lilies as he gorges. Listen to the call of loons in the early morning, and photograph them as they hunt for food. Spend a day on the water, surrounded by gorgeous scenery, as you paddle past beaver lodges, marshy grasses, and among the lilies, soaking in all of Mother Nature's goodness as you go.
Excursion Dates:
Please click on a date
to register
Cost:
$430 +HST per person
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Payment Policy:
Payment is due in full upon booking, and is non-refundable.
ITINERARY:
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5:30 a.m. -- Meet at Algonquin Outfitters' (AO) Opeongo Store in Algonquin Park
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Our water taxi is scheduled to leave 30 minutes (sharp!) after our meeting time
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Approximately 15 minutes later, we'll arrive at the mouth of the creek & receive a brief paddling lesson from AO (if required!) before we set out along the creek
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We'll explore the backcountry by canoe until the water taxi picks us up again, with brief stops on shore for bathroom & lunch breaks
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2:30 p.m. -- Water taxi back to the Opeongo Store
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Workshop Conclusion
What's Included:
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Individualized in-field photography instruction by Helen
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Canoe, paddle, PFD (lifejacket), & safety kit
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Algonquin Outfitters' water taxi to the mouth of the creek
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Brief introduction to paddling technique by Algonquin Outfitters
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Brown bag lunch by The Mad Musher
(wrap, juice box, piece of fruit)
What's Not Included:
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Transportation to/from Algonquin Outfitter's Opeongo Store
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Accommodations
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Photography Gear
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Items for your personal comfort, including snacks, hydration & personal protective equipment (PPE)
"8 hours of paddling went by so quickly - an amazing tour. I would do it again in a heartbeat."
Joan M.
What to Expect:
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A fun day in Algonquin's interior! We'll be spending a lot of time on the water, but the pace will be slow & leisurely.
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You will be paddling your own canoe, which will likely be shared with another participant. Your gear will be in the canoe with you, so you're able to stop at any point to take photos.
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Beautiful scenery.
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The probability of wildlife (we can never guarantee that part).
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Individualized photography instruction and back-of-camera critique from Helen, as required.
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A mix of photography & paddling skill levels - you will most likely be paired up in a canoe with another participant.
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Adventure rain or shine! Some of the best photo opportunities happen during poor weather.
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Biting bugs -- yes, it's Algonquin in spring! A bug jacket and bug spray are mandatory for this adventure.
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We will stop and head ashore for bathroom breaks and probably lunch, but will spend as much time on the water as possible. There are no "washroom facilities", so please be prepared (mentally & physically) to go "al fresco" and use a tree -- and pack out all garbage, including used toilet paper.
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When we arrive at the mouth of the creek, we will be unloading onto a small island. You will be required to hop off the boat onto an uneven rock face - your feet may get wet. We'd advise you to bring a small towel to dry your feet, wear wool socks, and bring a spare pair of socks.
"Such an amazing day... the beauty of Algonquin, of being on the water, and being with like-spirited company... it couldn't be better."
Fiona T.
"The backcountry workshop was fantastic. It was simply wonderful enjoying a remote area of Algonquin Park by canoe. The beautiful sights and sounds of nature was calming, relaxing, and awe inspiring. Having my camera to capture the gorgeous landscape and exciting moments when wildlife was spotted seemed like an added bonus to the whole experience."
Belinda H.
"Learning new information about settings - I ended getting a much higher percentage of great shots."
Carol S.
PLEASE NOTE:
While this workshop is designed to be reasonably accessible, there's a fair degree of exertion involved and participants must be comfortable performing these activities during a full day, as there will be no option to leave the workshop early. We have a scheduled water taxi service and are unable to call to change our pick-up time. Activities include, but are not limited to: paddling a canoe for hours at a time (sitting or kneeling), climbing into and out of a canoe & speedboat from various surfaces (including a dock, a beach, a rocky island, and uneven, wet, sandy and muddy ground, as well as swampy or spongy surfaces, and shallow water), lifting your camera gear and personal items into and out of a moving boat, pulling your canoe out of the water onto shore for breaks and to cross beaver dams, and putting it back in the water after. Your feet will get wet. It is your responsibility to know your limits and pace yourself accordingly.
Worried about the bugs? Don't be!
Because we're heading into the interior in the height of "bug season", I want to make sure you're properly prepared. That means having a bug jacket and bug spray. But... when we're on the water, which is where we'll be spending most of the day, the bugs typically don't bother us. They're at their worst when we head ashore for bathroom breaks, so I'd encourage you to watch this video to see what I do to help keep the bugs at bay.
About Helen E. Grose - Your Guide & Instructor!
Helen is a professional photographer who lives in the heart of Muskoka an hour away from Algonquin Park's West Gate. She first fell in love with Algonquin Park in high school -- during a canoe trip with girls from each grade. Her school's motto, "Mens sana in corpore sano" (a healthy mind in a healthy body), was ingrained in her, as she participated in these yearly
canoe trips, as well as dog-sled expeditions in winter. Now, she spends as much time in the park as possible -- hiking trails with her dogs, exploring with her camera, and leading & teaching clients, who will hopefully come away with a new, or renewed passion for Algonquin and all its incredible wildlife residents.
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Helen's images have been published around the globe and she's often been described as an animal whisperer. Currently, Helen teaches nature and landscape photography at Georgian College and prides herself on using simple, easy to understand language.
During this adventure, Helen will touch on ethics in wildlife photography, as it’s an important part of any authentic encounter. While every effort is made to find wildlife to photograph, there are many factors outside our control and, therefore, no guarantees are made.
