Beyond the Wild

Ron, Mark and Jason meet with some of the key individuals behind Focus Photo Tours to discuss the innovative approach to their organization and how they provide enriched wildlife experiences. Guests Dee Web, Traci Sepkovic, and Jackie and Scott Stone share their experiences and passions for wildlife photography, outdoor adventures, and the beauty of nature. They discuss their personal journeys, the importance of community in conservation efforts, and the transformative power of photography. They discuss their experiences guiding individuals through wildlife encounters, the joy of witnessing personal growth in their clients, and the need for education in wildlife photography. Sound Bites "Costa Rica is one of my number one desired destinations." "I don't want this big house. Let's sell all this stuff." "It's about that interaction you get with nature." "You're my eyes. I don't get to know what's going on outside." "The moments they give us are worth more than any dollar." "They go from terrified of bears to wanting to learn more." "It fills my soul to watch people get that experience." "We need to get them in contact with what they're going to lose." "The separation from the natural world is a big problem." "We thought there was a way to do this just a little bit better." "Education comes from reaching out to the best people we can." "We wanted to make sure that those people were taken care of." "It starts at all ages. It really does." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Spring Adventures 02:49 Exploring Costa Rica's Biodiversity 05:52 Personal Journeys and Outdoor Passions 09:07 Wildlife Photography Beginnings 11:56 The Connection to Nature and Conservation 14:59 The Role of Community in Wildlife Photography 18:00 Life Changes and Intentional Living 20:57 The Art of Photography and Personal Growth 24:04 Memories Captured Through Photography 27:08 Education and Sharing Experiences 30:08 The Impact of Wildlife Photography on Lives 39:14 The Joy of Wildlife Encounters 41:00 The Natural Educator's Journey 44:00 Connecting Generations Through Nature 45:00 The Role of Education in Wildlife Photography 50:00 Building a Community of Passionate Photographers 51:57 Focus: A New Approach to Wildlife Tours 01:00:00 The Importance of Education in Wildlife Experiences 01:04:01 Welcoming New Photographers to the Community 01:07:01 The Impact of Shared Experiences in Nature Thanks for listening to the Beyond the Wild Podcast. Remember to subscribe to be notified of upcoming episodes for your listening and viewing enjoyment! Beyond the Wild Podcast is sponsored by Pictureline.com [http://Pictureline.com] and Canon USA.

Prepare for another jam-packed pro-tip episode with Ron Hayes, Mark Raycroft, and Jason Loftus. The crew discuss their recent wildlife photography adventures, informs listeners of shooting tips to capture lekking behaviour in sharp-tailed and sage-grouse and explores Jason's recent trip to Bora Bora, including swimming with blacktip sharks. The discussion transitions into valuable travel tips, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and finding great deals. Jason also provides insights into underwater photography, stressing the need for proper gear and underwater housings. Pro tips on photography gear, storage solutions, and sensor maintenance are shared. The conversation takes a reflective turn as they discuss the balance between work and travel, encouraging listeners to live fully and not postpone their dreams. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for photography enthusiasts and travelers alike. Chapters 03:02 Wildlife Photography Adventures 05:55 The Dynamics of Lekking Behavior 08:58 Ethical Wildlife Photography Practices 11:54 Celebrating Milestones in Content Creation 14:57 Exploring Bora Bora and Shark Encounters 36:58 Bora Bora Bliss: Culinary Delights and Experiences 38:09 Travel Tips: Finding Deals and Flexibility 40:16 Capturing Memories: Pro Tips for Underwater Photography 42:34 Life Lessons: Balancing Work, Travel, and Living Fully 45:46 Pro Tips: Gear Recommendations and Photography Insights 54:15 Storage Solutions: Backing Up Your Photography Assets 01:06:24 Cleaning Your Sensor: Sensor Maintenance Tips Thanks for listening to the Beyond the Wild Podcast. Remember to subscribe to be notified of upcoming episodes for your listening and viewing enjoyment! Beyond the Wild Podcast is sponsored by Pictureline.com and Canon USA.

In this episode of Beyond the Wild, hosts Ron Hayes and Jason Loftus introduce a special initiative to educate the next generation about wildlife conservation through photography. In collaboration with guests Shauna Hart (@byhartphotography), Lydia Ripplinger (@lydebug), and Jimmy Bridenstine (@jimmyb_intothewild), they discuss the importance of mentorship, ethical wildlife photography, and the structure of their upcoming program, 'Lessons Through the Lens: Kids for Conservation.' The conversation emphasizes the need for community engagement and the role of education in fostering a love for nature and wildlife among youth. Special thanks to pictureline.com [http://pictureline.com] for sponsoring this great initiative and helping to give back.  Registration begins the first week of April. In the coming days, Bookmark UtahWildlifeFederation.org [http://UtahWildlifeFederation.org] or BeyondtheWildPodcast.com [http://BeyondtheWildPodcast.com] for the official announcement.  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Conservation Photography 02:49 Lessons Through the Lens: Kids for Conservation 05:55 Mentorship and Expertise in Wildlife Photography 09:03 Creating Passion for Nature and Wildlife 11:51 Ethical Wildlife Photography Practices 15:06 Program Structure and Learning Outcomes 18:09 Equipment and Accessibility for Participants 21:05 Community Engagement and Support 24:04 Future of Conservation Education 26:55 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this episode, the Beyond the Wild crew welcome guest Jimmy MacDonald a wildlife guide and photographer who has worked with major network film crews, recounts unique encounters with wolves and polar bears that truly highlight the wonders of nature. Jimmy shares thrilling experiences from wildlife filmmaking, emphasizing the excitement of capturing moments in nature, and discusses the dual role of a guide, balancing safety and creativity while working with film crews. In this episode, the conversation delves into the thrilling world of wildlife adventures, focusing on the intricacies of wildlife filming and the respect needed for nature's predators. The speakers share personal experiences from the field, discuss the challenges of wildlife documentaries, and highlight the importance of understanding animal behavior.  Sound Bites "Canada's great, spring's coming." "I got to swim with black tip sharks." "Jimmy was my guide this last fall." "It was a pretty amazing encounter to be there." "It was a good story." "The pressures on them through the roof." "It's so thrilling for me to go out with them." "Your predominant role ultimately is safety." "I was just living the moment." "Let's get the great whites, let's go." "It's a healthy respect." "It's fun to make it in the credits." "Your passion for what you do is clear." "Muskox babies are always cute." "It's a whole new level to storytelling." "I look forward to hearing how your trip goes." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Beyond the Wild 02:50 Spring in Canada: Nature's Awakening 06:02 Adventures in Bora Bora: Swimming with Sharks 09:04 Guiding Film Crews: A New Career Path 11:51 The Art of Wildlife Photography and Videography 14:52 Unique Encounters: Wolves and Polar Bears 24:02 The Circle of Life: Death and Survival in the Wild 34:24 Capturing the Thrill of Wildlife Filmmaking 37:00 The Role of a Guide in Wildlife Filming 40:11 Behind the Scenes: The Art of Wildlife Photography 44:13 Balancing Safety and Creativity in the Field 52:24 The Value of Experience in Wildlife Encounters 53:02 Favorite Outdoor Experiences: A Personal Reflection 01:08:34 Diving into Shark Adventures 01:09:49 Behind the Scenes of Wildlife Filming 01:11:10 The Journey of Wildlife Documentaries 01:12:16 Respecting Wildlife: Insights from the Field 01:15:19 Understanding Predator Behavior 01:17:30 Capturing Nature: The Art of Filmmaking 01:20:58 Future Adventures and Collaborations LINKS Jimmy MacDonald @jimmy_pawistik [https://www.instagram.com/jimmy_pawistik/#] The Americas Episode 5: The Frozen North on NBC, streaming on Peacock Tom Hanks discusses The Frozen North Episode [https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/the-americas-nbc-episode-guide] The Frozen North Episode [https://www.nbc.com/the-americas/video/the-frozen-north/9000437360] Thanks for listening to the Beyond the Wild Podcast. Remember to subscribe to be notified of upcoming episodes for your listening and viewing enjoyment! Beyond the Wild Podcast is sponsored by Pictureline.com and Canon USA.

Yellowstone has produced many great adventures for Jason Loftus, but the wolves of Yellowstone have evaded his camera and lens - until now. Jason shares his recent mindblowing adventures in Yellowstone National Park where he photographed over 15 different wolves along with coyotes, foxes, eagles, elk and bison. It was also a big video trip for Jason, and he, Ron and Mark shared insights about winter wildlife behavior, the thrill of capturing wolves in action, and the importance of photography etiquette in public spaces. The conversation highlights the beauty of nature, the challenges of wildlife encounters, and the camaraderie among photographers in the field. This episode also digs into some of the recent new lens announcements, which spark excitement about the latest advancements in photography equipment. The conversation also touches on the excitement of planning future photography challenges, and wide-angle wildlife photography is on the menu with the potential for a future challenge involving listeners. This is a great episode to listen to but an even better episode to watch on YouTube. Please subscribe to be alerted of more great episodes.  Sound Bites "It's been a real winter." "It's hard to explain." "It's a numbers game." "That one day makes a whole trip." "It's a dream opportunity." "We all could just do better." "Winter's a great time to go up there." "New gear is always fun." "Be patient with your editing." "Enjoy the photography experience." "You've got the best job in the world." "It sounds like a Ron story." "Failure is part of success." "The rules are there are no rules." "It's coming." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Winter Updates 03:08 Wildlife Encounters and Photography Adventures 06:03 Experiences in Yellowstone National Park 12:09 The Thrill of Wolf Photography 18:12 Wildlife Behavior Observations 24:03 Photography Etiquette and Road Safety 34:46 Respect and Kindness in Photography 35:51 Winter Adventures and Wildlife Encounters 38:29 Weather Challenges and Wildlife Photography 39:00 New Gear Announcements and Excitement 47:52 Pro Tips for Patience in Photography 54:02 Philosophical Reflections on the Photography Journey 55:47 Innovative Photography Techniques 01:00:15 Learning from Failures 01:05:31 The Power of Wide-Angle Shots 01:11:10 Planning for Future Challenges Thanks for listening to the Beyond the Wild Podcast. Remember to subscribe to be notified of upcoming episodes for your listening and viewing enjoyment! Beyond the Wild Podcast is sponsored by Pictureline.com and Canon USA.