Durham photographs sheep in Alaska

It wasn’t quite the adventure he was hoping for, but the trip was still “once in a lifetime.”
Or multiple in the case of Chester photographer Greg Durham.
Durham recently returned from a trip to Alaska in early August which he wanted to photograph bears. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other ideas.
“We ran into a bit of weather and I wasn’t able to fly back where I wanted to,” Durham said. “The second day I had another photographer pick me up and we went to a few places and I got picture of a dall sheep. I got there on a Monday and returned sooner than planned.”
Durham said it was disappointing to have his trip cut short because of weather.
“When you plan a trip in January there is nothing you can do about the weather,” Durham said. “When you are flying in float planes you don’t want to be in the air during bad weather because it’s too dangerous.”
However, Durham was excited about the picture he got of the sheep.
“I went for about six or seven years and never got a sheep picture,” Durham said. “We just happened to spot some and I walk in on them and got a picture of a young dall sheep. It didn’t have any big horns, but they can be pretty elusive and run across the cliffs pretty well. They can be pretty high up, so you have to have a pretty long lense.”
Durham is an experienced photographer who enjoys shooting wildlife and sporting events. He has photographed polar bears with the National Geographic’s Journeys program several times, and the brown bears at Brooks Falls, Alaska once before.
Durham has been a goose hunting guide for more than 20 years and a hunter safety education instructor.

When asked why he enjoys pursuing a potentially dangerous hobby, Durham responded with “some day is now.”
Durham found himself longing to travel to Alaska to photograph wildlife someday. When the opportunity presented itself, he simply said “ok, that someday is now.”
After experiencing an unexpected loss of a loved one, Durham took on the mentality that it must be done before it is too late.
It is recommended that people from the lower 48 states never go out without an experienced guide.
“The first time I went, I was excited. The guide was calm, but I was a little worried,” Durham said. “The bears are breathtaking, but they do have big claws and big paws. Being killed is a good incentive for a long range lens.”
Once a person experiences bears in their natural habitat, a bond is formed. With cultivation, that bond can lead to passionately advocacy for bears. Photographing them did just that for Durham.
Bears are charismatic creatures, every child loves bears, though most don’t ever get the opportunity to experience wild bears. It is the belief of advocacy groups such “For the Love of Bears” that by telling the bear’s story it engages the masses to stand up for conservation and the protection of bears.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Through photography Durham aims to connect individuals by providing them a glimpse into the lives of bears in the wild.
When Durham was asked what his favorite picture is, he replied “One I haven’t taken yet.”
While the sheep picture was nice, Durham hopes to return to Alaska for another shot at capturing the perfect picture of bear.
“Time will tell.” Durham said.