Beyond the Wild

Episode 72

In this episode of Beyond the Wild, host Ron Hayes and Jason Loftus welcome wildlife photographer Julia Cook. Julia has accomplished more in five years than many wildlife photography enthusiasts, and she shares her journey into wildlife photography, her experiences in Yellowstone, and the differences in bear behavior between Yellowstone and Katmai. Jason and Julia discuss their recent trip to Churchill, Canada, where they experienced incredible polar bear encounters. The conversation also highlights Julia’s personal experiences with wildlife photography projects, including the release of black-footed ferrets. Join us for this enjoyable episode and see how fast Julia became “hooked” on wildlife photography. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:05 Wildlife Photography Beginnings 03:58 Experiences in Churchill 06:50 Polar Bear Encounters 09:54 Evening Activities and Aurora 13:03 Guided Tours and Bear Sightings 15:52 Julia's Journey in Wildlife Photography 18:58 Guiding in Yellowstone 20:50 Summer Adventures and Outdoor Experiences 21:45 Memorable Wildlife Encounters 22:58 The Elusive Wolverine 26:00 Grizzly Bears: A Passion for Photography 28:09 First Encounters with Grizzly Bears 29:34 Safety in Bear Country 30:25 Research and Photography in Katmai 31:51 Understanding Bear Behavior 37:40 Citizen Science and Bear Identification 39:43 Upcoming Projects and Workshops 45:00 Conservation Efforts and Breeding Programs 48:27 Wildlife Encounters and Personal Experiences 50:28 Future Wildlife Adventures and Aspirations 53:56 Wildlife Photography and Unique Sightings 57:58 Traveling for Wildlife and Cultural Experiences 01:01:59 Reflections on Wildlife and Community Engagement Links Instagram: @juliacookwildlife Website: www.juliacookwildlife.com [http://www.juliacookwildlife.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 [http://Pictureline.com] and Canon USA.

Episode 71

In this week’s episode, we are off to the coast of Alaska to photograph the Coastal Brown Bears during the epic seasonal salmon run. For Ron, this is his first trip to witness this spectacular natural event. For Jason, this is his second trip, but with new equipment and a new shot list. Listen in as Ron and Jason share some heart-pounding experiences from the trip, provide some tips from their lessons learned, and compare and contrast how Canon’s latest equipment performed in the Last Frontier. Sound Bites "I had broken my foot just prior to us going." "It was the perfect tool, in my opinion." "Take a polarizer." "It's magical stuff, truly." "You hope for good weather, you guys had it." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene 02:55 Bear Camp Experience Overview 05:49 Weather and Wildlife Observations 09:10 Photography Techniques and Strategies 12:04 Equipment Insights and Lens Choices 14:50 Challenges and Adaptations in the Field 34:47 The Perfect Gear for Wildlife Photography 36:05 Essential Photography Tips for Wildlife Trips 39:09 Capturing Bears and Other Wildlife 41:20 Experiencing Wildlife Up Close 44:01 Navigating Challenges in the Wild 46:10 Camp Life and Socializing 55:19 Memorable Moments in the Field 01:06:09 Pro Tips for Wildlife Photography 01:12:01 The Importance of Community in 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.

Episode 70

We are excited to have Colin Bigelow from Pictureline on the show this week. We’ve been wanting Colin to join us on the show since the launch of Beyond the Wild, and well, it finally happened. Colin is not only the key contact at Pictureline for anything related to wildlife photography, but also one of the most passionate photographers out there.  His backstory is inspiring, and this episode is dedicated to learning more about his passion for capturing wildlife images and how he transitioned from a baseball career to pursuing a full-time career in the photography industry. Join us to hear about Colin’s journey and his enthusiasm for adventure, along with some sneak peeks into what new camera technology is on the horizon. Chapters 0:00 Introduction and Episode Context 03:16 Welcome to Colin Bigelow 10:49 Colin's Journey into Photography 20:38 Passion for Wildlife Photography 22:44 Exploring Other Passions 23:44 Passions and Hobbies 29:21 The Magic of Moose 41:38 Wildlife Photography Adventures 42:43 The Journey of a New Instagram Page 44:43 Building Connections in Photography 50:01 The Philosophy of Customer Service 01:00:44 Elevating the Photography Experience 01:01:10 Memorable Outdoor Experiences 01:06:20 Passion for Wildlife and Photography 01:08:02 Future of Camera Technology 01:12:01 Lens Quality and Performance 01:16:01 Rumors and Innovations in Camera Gear 01:19:59 High-Resolution Cameras and Their Impact   Links @ColinCBigelow.1 @ColinBigelowPhoto Pictureline.com [http://Pictureline.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 [http://Pictureline.com] and Canon USA.

Episode 69

In this episode of Beyond the Wild Podcast, the hosts reconnect after a long time apart. They share highlights from their recent field adventures, personal updates, and tease some future episodes. Chapters 00:00 Reconnecting After Time Apart 02:51 Field Adventures and Experiences 05:59 Photography and Creative Projects 08:58 Celebrating Personal Milestones 11:56 Wildlife Encounters and Family Moments 14:54 Photography Gear Insights 17:57 Community Engagement and Support 20:59 New Ventures and Merchandise 23:54 Exploring Muskox and Unique Landscapes 30:21 Capturing Nature's Beauty: The Journey Begins 35:11 The Thrill of Wildlife Photography 40:12 Embracing the Unexpected in Nature 44:22 Youth Photography Camp: Inspiring the Next Generation 49:42 Tech Talk: The Future of Photography Gear 54:14 Looking Ahead: Future Adventures and Content 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 68

Beyond the Wild, hosts Ron Hayes and Jason Loftus reconnect with guests Kate and Adam Rice to discuss the transition to their full-time photography business. Kate and Adam discuss their move to Alaska, their new Gallery and how life has changed since leaving the corporate world behind. The conversation covers various topics, including recent bear camp trips, the Patagonia trip for puma, and the importance of having knowledgeable guides in the field. Sorry, folks, some audio anomalies couldn't be avoided in this episode. Sound bites "We don't live in a van anymore." "Every year is so different." "I'm so in love with living in Alaska" "A terrible day is a great day down here" "We want to see other people be happy" "We weren't going to do a tour up there" "It's just so much fun all the time" "We definitely have our wheels turning." "We approach everything as a team." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 05:52 Alaska Adventures and Bear Photography 12:06 Bear Behavior and Fishing Patterns 14:57 Patagonia Trip Insights 17:52 The Importance of Guides in Wildlife Photography 21:05 Life in Alaska and Photography Opportunities 22:46 The Balancing Act of Tours and Photography 27:18 Upcoming Adventures: Churchill and Kenya 35:39 The Art of Guiding: Insights from Experience 48:17 Exploring the Untamed Wilderness 51:21 Balancing Video and Photography 54:51 The Art of Collaboration in Photography Links Website https://www.karphotography.net Instagram https://www.instagram.com/KARphotography 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.