Beyond the Wild

Ron Hayes, Mark Raycroft, and Jason catch up after recent field trips and trade stories from the Great Bear Rainforest and elk rut. The conversation mixes wildlife photography lessons, travel mishaps, and practical field advice, with a strong focus on staying safe, staying dry, and making the most of unpredictable conditions. We discuss the realities of photographing in wet, remote, and high-pressure wildlife settings, from border crossings and gear choices to bear, elk, and caribou encounters. We also share a few memorable near-misses, some hard-earned travel tips, and a lot of appreciation for how these trips reset your head. 00:00 - Reeling from recent field trips and catching up after time apart 02:20 - Upload issues, remote recording, and swapping image stories 03:28 - Jason’s rough drive home and the safety problem of fatigue 04:38 - Border crossing trouble and a half-hour vehicle search 06:25 - First close elk charge and the lesson about distance 08:39 - How the elk encounter unfolded in slow motion 10:12 - Mark’s field-safety read on animal behavior and evasive awareness 12:15 - Switching to the Great Bear Rainforest and rain gear failures 14:19 - Just how wet the rainforest really was 15:18 - The Great Bear Rainforest as a living ecology classroom 17:35 - Maggots, carcasses, nutrient cycling, and forest regeneration 18:55 - Why waterproof bags and batteries need better protection 20:37 - Drying out wet camera lenses with rice and a ziplock bag 22:09 - A strange sound in the alders on the caribou hike 24:50 - Travel tip: never set gear down and walk away 27:37 - Jason’s elk-country packing lesson and overloading the car 32:10 - Handheld bear-fishing video and stabilizing with body position 35:30 - Why the 100 to 300 mm lens became the hero lens 36:37 - Controlling breathing for video and audio while filming 39:07 - ISO choices in the rainforest and what software changes now allow 43:22 - Trying intentional motion blur on birds in flight 48:42 - Weather, fog, and nearly getting turned around at Prince Rupert 51:05 - A wolf running the runway and how wild it gets near town 54:12 - Upcoming travel, more trips, and the mental reset of the field 58:24 - Ron’s move to northwestern Wyoming and closer access to Yellowstone 60:07 - New grandbaby Callum and family updates 61:00 - Halloween episode ideas and spooky stories to save for later 62:17 - Gary Kramer’s new bird migration book and an upcoming episode 66:21 - Closing thanks, sponsor shoutouts, and what is coming next Links Pictureline: https://www.pictureline.com Canon USA: https://www.usa.canon.com Thanks for tuning in to the Beyond the Wild Podcast. Don't forget to subscribe to stay notified about upcoming episodes for your listening and viewing pleasure! Beyond the Wild Podcast is sponsored by Pictureline.com and Canon USA.

In this episode of Beyond the Wild Podcast, hosts Ron Hayes and Jason Loftus join Vern and Amy Sharp to discuss their recent experiences at Bear Camp in Alaska. The conversation covers the excitement of the wilderness, the challenges of the weather, and the unforgettable moments of encountering bears in their natural habitat. The guests discuss the joy of witnessing wildlife, the challenges of capturing the perfect shot, and the importance of group dynamics in creating a positive experience.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage
03:01 Experiences at Bear Camp
05:51 Weather Challenges and Camp Life
09:03 First Encounters with Bears
12:05 Reflections on the Experience
12:43 The Joy of Wildlife Encounters
14:47 Observing Bear Behavior
17:57 Capturing the Perfect Shot
22:07 Memorable Moments in Nature
26:03 The Impact of Weather on Photography
29:57 The Importance of Group Dynamics
34:01 Learning from Each Other
39:57 Building Connections Through Photography
41:32 The Value of Mentorship in Photography
42:00 Taking the Leap: Investing in Adventure
50:12 Memorable Outdoor Experiences: Stories from the Field
56:03 The Thrill of the Chase: Capturing Wild Horses
01:00:13 The Joy of Adventure: Inside Jokes and Lasting Memories
01:01:44 Connecting Through Social Media: Sharing the Journey

Links

Pictureline: https://www.pictureline.com
Canon USA: https://www.usa.canon.com
Amy’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amelya_3
Vern’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vagabondvern1

Thanks for tuning in to the Beyond the Wild Podcast. Don't forget to subscribe to stay notified about upcoming episodes for your listening and viewing pleasure! Beyond the Wild Podcast is sponsored by Pictureline.com and Canon USA.

Join Mark and Pili as they debrief a recent photo tour of Nunavik, Canada, with wildlife expert and photographer Mark Norman. You are bound to gain a new appreciation for the vast, untouched world of the far north and the herds of musk oxen that thrive in the harsh environment. Discover the stories behind stunning images of rutting musk oxen, the northern lights, and Arctic landscapes.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Arctic Photography Trip
00:04 Journey to Nunavik and Camp Setup
00:33 Wildlife Management and Photography Background
01:02 Arrival and First Impressions of the Camp
01:31 Photographic Gear and Kit Selection
01:56 Northern Lights and Night Photography
02:14 Wildlife Behavior and Action Moments
02:15 Muskox Herds and Rutting Behavior
02:17 Environmental and Cultural Insights of Nunavik
02:45 Reflections and Lessons from the Trip

Links

Pictureline: https://www.pictureline.com
Canon USA: https://www.usa.canon.com
Tour Website: https://www.markraycroft.com/p/musk-ox-photo-tours
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/marklnorman

Thanks for tuning in to the Beyond the Wild Podcast. Don't forget to subscribe to stay notified about upcoming episodes for your listening and viewing pleasure! Beyond the Wild Podcast is sponsored by Pictureline.com and Canon USA.

Storyteller Tanner Haver discusses his journey in wildlife filmmaking. He highlights how skills such as drone operation and camera trapping have revolutionized the field. Interestingly, Tanner emphasizes the importance of patience and effective media management for success as a blue-chip wildlife filmmaker. His work is featured in the recently acclaimed film The American Southwest, and this fall, Tanner will lead wildlife filmmaking workshops in Yellowstone.

Chapters

00:00 Updates from Ron and guest background
02:01 Tanner's recent work and projects
03:56 Building a wildlife archive and storytelling focus
06:10 Filming in Colorado and the American Southwest
07:56 Wildlife behavior and the importance of patience
10:14 Conservation stories and filming techniques
12:12 Using drones responsibly in wildlife cinematography
15:57 Camera trapping and its role in storytelling
20:04 Skills development and continuous learning
24:04 Lessons learned and media management tips
28:57 Memorable outdoor experiences with wildlife
35:05 Upcoming wildlife filmmaking workshops in Yellowstone
39:07 Final thoughts and closing remarks

Links

Pictureline: https://www.pictureline.com
Canon USA: https://www.usa.canon.com
Professional Website - https://www.roaringmountainmedia.com
Workshop Website - https://www.skylinesafari.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tannerjhaver

Thanks for tuning in to the Beyond the Wild Podcast. Don't forget to subscribe to stay notified about upcoming episodes for your listening and viewing pleasure! Beyond the Wild Podcast is sponsored by Pictureline.com and Canon USA.

In this episode, the hosts share personal travel stories, practical photography tips, and insights on responsible wildlife photography, including the impact of AI and social media on the industry.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Travel Stories
03:18 Pro Tips for Photography Gear and Safety
08:25 Using Mobile Devices for Underwater and Tide Pool Shots
11:00 Protecting Your Phone and Data in the Field
13:00 The Impact of AI on Wildlife and Nature Photography
18:03 Storing and Managing Your Images Effectively
21:56 The Value of Authentic Experiences and Responsible Sharing
28:58 Preparing for Trips with Checklists and Packing Tips
38:08 Creative Techniques: Shooting into the Light and Environmental Portraits
43:04 The Importance of Patience and Staying Past the Moment
49:58 The Power of Sharing Progression and Learning from Mistakes
57:03 Encouraging the Next Generation and Responsible Photography

Thanks for tuning in to the Beyond the Wild Podcast. Don't forget to subscribe to stay notified about upcoming episodes for your listening and viewing pleasure! Beyond the Wild Podcast is sponsored by Pictureline.com and Canon USA.

Links

Pictureline: https://www.pictureline.com
Canon USA: https://www.usa.canon.com
Gavin McCue: https://www.instagram.com/gavinmccuephoto
Michio Hoshino’s ’Moose’ book: https://www.amazon.ca/Moose-Michio-Hoshino/dp/0877014949
Vote for thoughts on thermamonoculars: https://www.beyondthewildpodcast.com/opinions