Journal — Destination: Wildlife™

Montana’s Missouri River Country. Big sky country. Every autumn, in some of the most unspoiled wild nature left in North America, the Rocky Mountain elk begin to call. Their beautiful, eerie, and amazing sound can be heard wafting through the trees and across the grasslands. It signals the females, warns rivals and announces their amorous intentions. This is annual rut and the best time for wildlife photographers to get images of the males in full rack and the females in top health. The Slippery Ann Viewing Area at the Charles M. Russel Wildlife Refuge Complex in Montana is the perfect place to bring the family to experience bugling elk.

Roberta KravetteSeptember 5, 2018Destination, North America, United States, Montana, ElkComment

How to Photograph Black Bear in the Forest, Safely

Wildlife photographer Scott Dere,travels to Kabetogama State Forest in Minnesota to photograph black bears in the wild. Scott reveals his secrets for getting the shot, including what lens to use, when to use a tripod, and why a gimbal is necessary. Tips on bear safety, too.

How To Get Great Wildlife Photographs in the Forest

How to get great photographs of wildlife when the subjects are in the forest, hidden by lush foliage and bathed in diffused light? Nature photographer Robert Wallace shares his secrets for getting shots of black bear, Manitoban elk, and more in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park spanning North Carolina and Tennessee. Good tips for staying safe in black bear country too.

How a (Former) Wildlife Trafficker & A Biologist Are Saving a Species

Parnaiba Headwaters National Park may hold the best kept secret in wildlife conservation. When Charles Munn lll, then a young biologist met the best hyacinth macaw poachers in Brazil's Cerrado, he turned them into land and wildlife protectors and guides. This is what real responsible wildlife tourism can do. The comfortable SouthWild Wolf camps are owned and run by local people with help from Dr. Charles A. Munn lll.

See the Last Asiatic Lions in the World, The Lions of Gir!

The last wild Asiatic lions in the world are found only in the Gir National Park, (Gir National Forest). Here, protected and cherished by the local herders who live with them, they are slowly coming back from the brink of extinction. Our reader, Hiren Khambhayta has a passion, and a photographer's eye. for these magnificent big cats. Note: This Park was one of the first to employ a team of women to protect the endangered wildlife.

Responsible-TourismHiren KhambhaytaJuly 7, 2018Asiatic Lions, India, Gir National Park, Lion, Endangered SpeciesComment

7 Days Photographing the Most Majestic Parks in America

For the seven days two friends explored and photographed wildlife in “the most majestic National Parks in the County”, Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park and Montana’s Grand Tetons National Park. They found babies galore and grizzly bears, black bears, cinnamon black bears, big horn sheep, moose, plus they answered the important question: Can a single pronghorn outsmart a pair of coyotes?

From Fear to Triumph - How to Dive with Polar Bears

Amos Nachoum almost died the first time he attempted to photograph Polar bear swimming in open water, but how could he give up on this creature? He had spent his life dispelling the dangerous myths about wildlife. What he learned in ten years of Polar bear study became an unforgettable expedition and documentary film about the true nature of Polar bears and also about the spirit and wisdom of a man called the Ambassador of Big Animals.

Amos NachoumMay 4, 2018 Comments

He's Free! Short-Eared Owl Returns to the Wild

He’s Free! Just hours away from death, a young endangered short-eared owl was rescued by a quick-thinking shop keeper. It took a village of dedicated samaritans to give him his future. But, it is the decades-long work of the Friends of the Washington County Grasslands’ that may determine the fate of his and many other species. Amazing images of the short-eared owl’s release back into the wild and a second chance at life.

Found! Waterfalls in a Secret Natural Paradise in Florida.

An oasis of crystal clear natural springs, waterfalls, and peaceful walking trails hides just a short drive from Florida's usual tourist stops. It is home to 60+ bird, 40+ butterfly species. Rainbow Springs was a privately owned tourist trap until the interstate by-passed it by in the 1970s. Today, locals and the few savvy travelers who know Rainbow Springs State Park near Dunnellon, Florida swim in the crystal clear waters, drink in the beauty of the waterfalls and hold the secret close to their hearts. Shhhhh! Don't tell.

How to Get "Killer" Photographs - Amos Nachoum Dispels the Myths

At age 5 Amos Nachoum "drowned". He credits that near-death incident with bonding him to the sea. Today, Nachoum dedicates his life to photographing big predators, whales, bears, sharks, and others mostly in our oceans. His goal is to dispel the myths and spread awareness and respect for our world's most endangered species. Amos is having a great time. You are invited to join him on a wildlife photography tourism adventure with BigAnimals.

My Awesome Adventure with Grey Whales in Baja California Sur, Mexico

Human friendly grey whales? That is the mystery and beauty of three lagoons in Baja California, Mexico: Ojo de Liebre Laguna (formerly Scammon's Bay), St. Ignacio Laguna, and Magdelena Laguna. Grey whales migrating south from the Arctic come here to mate, have their babies and introduce them to their human neighbors. Our reader, Susan Sylvan shares her adventure with images by her friend and fellow traveler, Toby Mailman.

Responsible-TourismGuest UserMarch 12, 2018whale, grey whale, boomer travel, family travel, mexico Comments

Are You Willing to Kill For a Better Snowy Owl Photo?

When snowy owls arrive from their Arctic breeding grounds enthusiastic birdwatchers, photographers & others flock to see them - but all that love can exhaust the birds to death. The Friends of the Washington County IBA (Important Bird Area) shares this warning.

Wildlife-Viewing-SafetyRoberta KravetteFebruary 2, 2018Snowy owl, birdwatching, New York State, Endangered SpeciesComment