Beyond the Wild

Episode 79

In this two-part episode of Beyond the Wild, hosts Mark Raycroft and Jason Loftus are joined by guest Nick White. They explore Nick’s unique experiences living and working in Scotland, including his stint as a lobster fisherman in the North Sea. The conversation delves into the dangers at sea, the beauty of wildlife encounters, and the state of ecosystems in the UK, all while highlighting Nick’s journey from a hobbyist to a passionate wildlife photographer. The crew discusses the differences between conservation models in North America and the UK, and the beauty of photographing wildlife. Nick shares personal experiences photographing red stags and the tranquillity of the Highlands, emphasizing how nature provides a sense of calm and connection to the environment. Chapters 00:00 Winter Wonderland and Podcast Introduction 02:54 The Impact of Weather on Wildlife Photography 05:57 Meeting Nick White: A Local Photographer 08:52 The Role of Social Media in Wildlife Photography 12:01 Life in Scotland: A Unique Experience 16:08 The Dangers of Lobster Fishing in the North Sea 24:06 Wildlife Encounters and Sustainable Practices 29:50 Photography Journey: From Hobby to Passion 35:00 Wildlife Ecosystem Imbalance in the UK 35:24 Conservation Models: A Comparative Analysis 39:41 Wildlife Photography: Capturing Nature's Beauty 43:15 Experiences in the Scottish Highlands 51:29 The Red Stag Experience: A Unique Adventure 57:40 The Magic of Nature: Finding Calm in the Wild Nick White Links www.ththickofitphotography.com [http://www.ththickofitphotography.com] Website @wildly.thick.of.it [http://wildly.thick.of.it] Instagram 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 [http://Pictureline.com] and Canon USA.

Episode 78

In this episode, Jason Loftus recounts his experiences at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, highlighting the bird migration phenomenon and stunning photography opportunities available there. Mark and Ron reflect on their experiences with waterfowl migration, the impact of weather patterns on waterfowl migration, and the beauty of bird gathering locations. Jason discusses the photography and video techniques he used to document the massive gathering of snow geese and sandhill cranes, and he also details the lenses and techniques he used to capture inspiring images of birds in flight. Sound Bites "Every image looks better in print." "Why are we doing this crazy thing?" "Instagram is just not that tool." "It's still great content." "DJI drones dominate the market." "High ISO performance is improving." "Mark took 80,252 photos in 10 weeks." "The days are getting longer." "Make it happen if you can." "I loved hearing about Bosque." "It's amazing to witness." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates 08:56 The Value of Printed Memories 14:53 Reflections on Social Media and Photography 20:51 Navigating Instagram's Changing Landscape 30:00 Exciting News in Photography Gear 36:12 Drones and Their Impact on Photography 41:54 High ISO Performance and Photography Techniques 48:00 Experiences at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge 54:14 Reflections on Migration and Timing 56:12 Weather Patterns and Their Impact on Wildlife 58:01 The Beauty of Bird Migration 01:00:05 Photography Techniques and Opportunities Links www.bayphoto.com [http://www.bayphoto.com] Photo Books @JamieBWild IG Porcupine video Chiara Talia @ChiaraTalia_Birds Social Media Challenges for Photographers Winners of the Guess Mark’s Musk Ox Trip Image Tally Contest Todd Yankauskas hightrailphotography Deborah (YouTube) @BearTalkDeborah 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 [http://Pictureline.com] and Canon USA.

Episode 77

In this episode of Beyond the Wild Podcast, the hosts introduce guest Jay Grunig, a law enforcement officer and wildlife photographer, who shares the therapeutic benefits of photography for mental health. The conversation explores the importance of family in outdoor activities and the sense of community within the wildlife photography world. Jay offers valuable tips for capturing wildlife images, emphasizing the significance of understanding animal behavior and being aware of surroundings. Jay discusses the intricacies of wildlife photography, focusing on understanding animal behavior, the excitement of the bison rut, and the joy of outdoor experiences. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates 03:04 The Northern Lights Experience 06:00 Meet Jay Grunig: The Photographer's Journey 11:58 The Importance of Family in Outdoor Activities 17:59 Photography as a Coping Mechanism 24:00 Building Community Through Photography 29:58 Tips for Wildlife Photography 30:58 Understanding Animal Behavior for Photography 32:27 The Bison Rut Experience 34:58 Favorite Subjects in Wildlife Photography 37:34 The Joy of Outdoor Experiences 39:34 The Connection Between Photography and Nature 40:33 Camera Equipment and Evolution 43:01 Capturing Intimate Moments with Wildlife 45:57 Anticipating Future Wildlife Photography Adventures 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 [http://Pictureline.com] and Canon USA.

Episode 76

It’s that time of year for the BTW Crew’s favourite annual session: reflecting on memorable wildlife encounters from the past year. Two thousand twenty-five was a big year of photography accomplishments and phenomenal luck. Ron, Jason and Mark discuss their favourite moments and share personal stories about wildlife encounters and photography techniques. Special thanks go out to our supporters for helping make 2025 such an amazing year of new experiences, and thanks for sharing the thrill of wildlife photography, the joy of sharing experiences with friends, and the surprises that nature brings. Sound Bites "The morning that the moose stood still." "Go out when the conditions are bad." "Incredible wolf encounters this year!" "Life is about making time for experiences." "Wildlife photography is 95% waiting." "Personal milestones make the best memories." "Nature always surprises us in the best ways." Chapters 03:10 Reflecting on 2025: Highlights and Experiences 06:04 Sponsorship Appreciation and Community Engagement 08:50 Personal Highlights from the Year 11:58 Photography Adventures and Techniques 18:02 Wildlife Encounters and Memorable Moments 27:02 Looking Ahead: Future Photography Opportunities 28:49 Incredible Wolf Encounters 34:20 Memorable Wildlife Photography Experiences 40:56 The Dynamics of Wildlife Behavior 49:31 Introduction to Drone Photography 55:24 Reflections on Life and Wildlife 01:03:01 Capturing Unique Moments in Nature 01:10:20 Personal Milestones and Family Moments 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.

Episode 75

In this episode of Beyond the Wild, hosts Ron Hayes and Mark Raycroft welcome guests Tristen Vega Moffett and Neil Simmons, the owners of Roam Wild Photo Tours.  Tristen and Neil are professional photographers and run tours in Yellowstone and the Grand Teton National Park. They tell of an epic snow coach trip where they witnessed a once-in-a-lifetime wolf-pack attack on a bull bison. Although this natural occurrence is vital and has been happening for thousands of years, photographing it is difficult and confounding. This is just one of the unique opportunities these National Parks provide to peer into the wonders of the wild. Links Website: www.roamwildphototours.com [http://www.roamwildphototours.com] Instagram: @roamwildphototours Tristen’s Instagram: @wildly.tristen Neil’s Instagram: @neilsimmonsphotography Mollie’s Pack Official Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv2vjwwZznA [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv2vjwwZznA] 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 [http://Pictureline.com] and Canon USA.