2026 “Bald Eagles of Alaska” Photography Tour

2026 Tour Dates:

Tour 1: March 4-9, 2026 Tour 2: March 10-15, 2026 (3 spaces left)

Cost: $5195 / Deposit: $1500

Limited to 5 participants • From Homer, Alaska

Without question this is the worlds premier location for bald eagle flight photography. I’ve been photographing eagles at this location for the past 30 years and know all the prime locations. During the week you will capture more great action photos of bald eagles diving, fishing, banking, chasing, fighting than at any place in North America I know of. The most amazing thing is that 90% of the images taken during this tour are with 70-200mm lenses.

The magnificent bald eagle is our national bird and the symbol for the United States and I can think of nowhere more beautiful to photograph them than Alaska. Coastal Alaska has a large population of bald eagles. During this special tour we spend 5 days cruising the coastal waters of Kachemak Bay on a chartered boat photographing eagles along with many other interesting birds such as long-tailed and harlequin ducks, surf scooters, glaucous and mew gulls, kittiwakes, and others While exploring secluded coves and harbors we often find northern sea otters, harbor and fur seals or maybe even a humpback whale along with the incomparable Alaskan scenery.

Photographing bald eagles in flight is the emphasis of the tour. A true masterclass in action and birds in flight photography. I’ve visited many and this is the premier location in the world for bald eagle flight photography. I will do my best to help you learn the proper techniques for handheld flight photography. I’ll also teach you how to set exposure manually. Manual exposure is the best method to get proper and consistent exposures of these, tough to meter birds, in some very difficult metering scenarios.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive in Homer Alaska. All flights to Homer originate in Anchorage via Raven Airlines. You could also rent a car in Anchorage and drive to Homer. It’s a scenic 250 mile drive. Accommodations will be at the Aspen Inn near the Homer Spit. We meet at 7 pm for a welcome dinner.

Days 2-5: We spend the next 4 days photographing bald eagles. We have 2 boat charters per day each lasting approximately 2 to 3 hours. The timing of the charters is dependent on tide and weather conditions. Our captain allows us the flexibility to make sure we’re photographing during the very best conditions possible. Depending on tidal conditions and weather we may just one have a longer charter. of 4 to 5 hours. Our goal is for you to take home the best photographs that conditions will allow.

WHAT TO BRING:

Equipment : We highly recommend a good mid range zoom such as a 70-200mm, 70-300mm, 100-400mn, 200-600mm as well as a minimum of 300mm telephoto lens for this tour in addition to a wide angle zoom lens. You will want to bring along enough CF or SD cards to hold 2000-4000 photographs per charter. You should also have a means to download images when cards get full in your room. We always suggest you bring along 2 camera bodies if possible in case of equipment failure. On the boat most of the photography is done handheld. I strongly suggest a good over the shoulder strap like those from Black Rapid or a double shoulder strap. While on shore a sturdy tripod and a good ball head or gimbal mount is possible but certainly not required. With advancements in IS and VR most participants choose to handhold even while on shore.

Clothing : Clothing should be warm, comfortable and adequately cover a full range of weather conditions and temperatures. Expect everything from cool sunny days with temperatures into the 40’s to bitter cold, windy and snowy conditions. In the mornings temperatures will likely be in the teens or twenties so we recommend layering clothing, a rainproof and windproof parka, a warm hat and a light pair of gloves. Warm boots are advised.

Tour Prices Include:

Meals 2 daily (includes breakfast & Lunch or dinner) depending on charter times
5 nights single occupancy lodging
9 boat charters of approximately 2.5 hours each
Photo Instruction and image critiques (if desired) by D. Robert
Guides and Boat Captain
Taxes on all services
Primer on Bald Eagle action photography sent to all participants

Tour Prices DO NOT Include:

Airfare to/from Homer, Alaska
Transportation (We like to work out some car pooling)
Gratuity for Guides and Boat Captain
Alcoholic beverages and deserts

About your Tour Leader

Meet Your Guide — D. Robert Franz

Award-winning wildlife photographer D. Robert Franz has spent more than 35 years exploring and photographing some of the most extraordinary wild places on Earth. With degrees in wildlife management, geology, and earth science, Robert brings both deep knowledge and artistic vision to every adventure he leads.

His work has appeared on hundreds of magazine covers and in National Geographic, Smithsonian, Audubon, and National Wildlife. His fine art prints have been displayed in the Smithsonian Institution and the U.S. Congress, and Digital Photography Magazine named him among the *world’s best wildlife photographers.

Through FranzFoto Tours, Robert shares his passion for nature and photography with small groups of travelers who want more than just great images — they want an authentic experience in the wild. From Yellowstone’s steaming geysers to Alaska’s frozen tundra, every tour is a chance to refine your skills, expand your vision, and create photographs that truly capture the spirit of the natural world.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

GROUP MINIMUM: Occasionally, we are able to run a tour below our group minimum which is usually 4. In such instances it may be necessary to apply a small group supplement in which case you would be contacted regarding such a situation but you would not be obligated to accept the new terms.

RESERVATIONS: Your deposit which varies by tour is required to secure your place on any tour, with the balance due 60 days prior to the departure date. Deposits are fully refundable if cancellation is received at least 91 days prior to the departure date. Upon receipt of your deposit, we will mail you our acknowledgment and tour reservation form. Details of hotels, flight arrival recommendations, and other trip tips will be mailed when the tour is full.

MEALS: Some meals and refreshments are included depending on the trip details, but not alcoholic beverages.

ADMISSIONS: Access to public buildings and national parks etc. is not included in the land price.

CANCELLATION P0LICY: Due to the high number of cancellations we’ve received in the past several years a new refund policy has been implemented.

Cancellations more than 120 daysahead of the tour are refunded 50%.
Cancellations between 60-120 daysahead of the tour will only be refunded if the spot can be filled minus $150 handling charge.
Cancellations less than 60 daysahead of the tour are non-refundable.

Franzfoto Tours strongly suggest that tour participants invest in trip cancellation insurance.

CANCELED EXPEDITIONS: In the event of insufficient tour sign-ups, Franzfoto reserves the right to cancel any given tour. In that event 100% of moneys received will be returned. However, Franzfoto Tours is not responsible for expenses incurred by its customers.

LUGGAGE: Franzfoto Tours requests that tour participants limit their luggage to the equivalent of one suitcase, one flight bag, one camera bag, and tripod. We do not wish to be dictatorial in this matter, but asks that group members bear in mind space and comfort in our vehicles. All personal luggage are the responsibility of the owner.

SMOKERS: Smoking is not permitted at meals or in vehicles. It can be permitted at photo stops where local ordinances permit, photography and photographers are not affected.

RESPONSIBILITY: Franzfoto Tours and its agents act only as agents for the passenger in all matters relating to travel arrangements, and as such, do not assume responsibility for injury, accident, damage, loss, delay or irregularity which may occur via defect of transportation or any other cause. Franzfoto Instructional Tours reserves the right to substitute hotels, and other previously outlined arrangements as necessary, to either improve or equal the travel experience. Franzfoto Instructional Tours reserves the right to pass on to tour members any additional and unplanned expenditure incurred during a tour, via events beyond Franzfoto Tours control. The right is reserved to accept or decline any person as a member of any tour. Payment of tour fees by trip participants constitutes their acceptance of all conditions contained herein.