Blog — Destination: Wildlife™

Rescue for the City Weary, Treehouses in the Rainforest

Here, In the last rainforest in the United States, legend says that Yuquiyú, the Taino people’s ancient god of light and life, walked among the trees and cloud covered peaks of the El Yunque forest in Puerto Rico. Today, only a short flight from New York, the Yuquiyú, garden and treehouses are an oasis for city-weary couples and solo travelers.

There are just four comfortable artisan-crafted treehouses situated high among the palms here. Each one sleeps one or two guests only. There are never more than 8 guests on the entire property at one time. Ylang-ylang perfumes the air. Three words describe Yuquiyú: Serenity, Beauty, Renewal.

Roberta KravetteDecember 19, 2018Puerto Rico, Birdwatching, treehouse, romantic weekend Comments

Rescued in New York, Snowy Owl is Free to Soar

When the emaciated and dying young snowy owl was found by a good samaritan and his dog, the North County Animal Rescue knew just what to do. But what happens after rehabilitation? Disappearing habitat and climate change are taking their toll on the world’s remaining snowy owl population. The Friends of the Washington County Grasslands, IBA are working to change that.

Roberta KravetteDecember 5, 2018Comment

Amos Nachoum Wins Sienna International Photography Contest

Wildlife and underwater photographer, Amos Nachoun is winner of the a 2018 Sienna International Photography Contest. Photographers from 156 countries competed with over 48,000 images. Amos took the coveted first prize in the wildlife category for his astounding image of a leopard seal and gentoo penguin. Photographed in the freezing waters of Antarctica, the image is entitled: Facing Reality.

Roberta KravetteNovember 28, 2018Amos Nachoum, Wildlife PhotographyComment

4 Wildlife Saving Organizations That You Should Know

All over the world, small organizations and an army of dedicated people work on the front lines of wildlife conservation. The African continent is home to The Virunga Alliance, the Marine Megafauna Foundation, The Cheetah Conservation Fund, The PAMS Foundation and more. These dedicated, passionate men and women do much of conservation’s heavy, sometimes dangerous, lifting. Human/Wildlife coexistence is a major part of all their programs. There are no corner offices, no formal galas for these folk. Many are unpaid volunteers. They live for their animals - and sometimes they die for them.

Driving the Coronado Scenic Trail Byway, Arizona

Legend has it that this is the route Francisco Vasquez de Coronado travelled in 1540 when looking for the fabled seven “Golden Cities of Cibola,” There were no golden cities. Instead Coronado mapped a treasure of wildlife, nature, and unequaled scenic vistas. This 116-mile (187km) 2-lane road is a rollercoaster ride through the desert high country of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest including the last Designated Primitive Forest in the US Forestry system: The Blue Range Primitive Area. This is a nature photographer’s dream road trip.

Slippery Ann's Amazing Bugling Elk

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.

It is Time to Change the World

What is responsible tourism? A philosophy of respect for the worlds people, cultures, nature and wildlife and a guiding light for an industry that may change the world. Destination: Wildlife is dedicated to responsible tourism.

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 a young biologist met the best hyacinth macaw poachers in Brazil's Cerrado, he turned them into land and wildlife protectors and hosts of the best holiday experience you will ever have. 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, a conservation visionary.

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

Bump Up Your Exposure! What to Do When the Bird is a Bear

A peaceful day of photographing the last of the migrating warblers in late spring gets unexpectedly exciting for wildlife photographer Joe Gliozzo and his friend in Stirling Forest, New York. Joe tells us how to set the exposure when a black bear suddenly fills his lens.