Beyond the Wild

Beyond the Wild Podcast co-hosts Mark Raycroft and Jason trade unnerving, funny, and unexplained stories from wildlife photography trips, from bears rocking their trucks to close encounters with moose and a cliffside decision that put safety ahead of the shot. Join us for these spooky stories that are definitely beyond the wild.

Chapters

00:00 A first Halloween episode and field-story setup
03:34 A bear rocks Jason’s truck while he sleeps
09:14 Mark’s bear-country truck precautions
13:20 Breathing in the dark at Algonquin Park
18:13 Moose at camp and how animals see at night
20:48 Turning back from a dangerous cliffside
27:27 The unexplained gathering of hundreds of ravens
37:28 A ptarmigan nearly gets a blast of bear spray
43:21 Animal trails and a bluff-charging grizzly
50:09 A bear passes close, while watching all along
55:41 A cow wakes Jason with a face-lick
58:06 A black bear meets Mark’s dog at home
01:01:30 A curious bear stands face-to-face with Mark
01:05:37 The cemetery’s green orb and ball lightning
01:11:13 Bigfoot tease

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.

This must-watch episode features Ron Hayes, joined by special guest Stu Sharpe, as he shares his trip to the Great Bear Rainforest.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Life Changes
03:00 The Spirit Bear Trip Begins
05:58 Travel Experiences and Encounters
09:02 Meeting New Friends and Guides
12:01 First Encounters with Spirit Bears
15:01 Photography Challenges and Triumphs
18:00 Reflections on Wildlife Photography
21:02 Stu's Photography Journey
23:55 Travel Adventures and Future Plans
28:57 Adventures in the Arctic: A Journey with Bears
31:36 Military Background and Transition to Ecotourism
33:07 Wildlife Encounters: Wolves and Bears
36:02 The Art of Wildlife Photography
43:16 Ecological Education and Cultural Insights
48:20 Weather Challenges and Their Impact on Wildlife
54:30 Gear Challenges in the Wild
55:35 Gear Challenges in the Rainforest
56:51 Whale Encounters and Nature's Spectacle
01:00:07 Bear Sightings and Wildlife Photography
01:03:33 Learning Through Experience in Nature
01:07:35 Memorable Outdoor Experiences and Bear Encounters
01:11:49 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Links

Pictureline: https://www.pictureline.com
Canon USA: https://www.usa.canon.com
Instagram: @Stu_Sharpe, @rovingwild.photos
Expeditions: https://www.timirvin.com/tours-expeditions/

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.

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.