Avsnitt

  • Summary

    In this episode, the crew is joined by guest Cole Waltner as they recount their adventure to Churchill, Manitoba, targeting Polar Bears in a unique Autumn setting. The group talks about the timing of the trip and the unique opportunities it provided. They also discuss the logistics of traveling to Churchill, including the smaller planes and limited carry-on space. The conversation ends with a discussion about packing gear and the precautions they took to ensure its safety. The conversation in this segment revolves around the experiences of the photographers during their trip to Churchill. They discuss the challenges of traveling with camera gear, the excitement of arriving in Churchill, and the incredible sightings of polar bears and the Northern Lights. They also touch on the importance of checking camera settings and the disappointment of shooting in JPEG instead of RAW. Overall, the segment highlights the unique and awe-inspiring moments they encountered during their trip. The conversation in this part focuses on the experiences and encounters with polar bears and beluga whales in Churchill. The group discusses the behavior and habits of polar bears, including their presence along the coast and their hunting patterns. They also talk about the beluga whales and their curious nature. The conversation highlights the excitement and joy of being in close proximity to these animals and the opportunities to capture amazing photographs and videos. The guides are praised for their knowledge and expertise in ensuring the safety of the group while providing memorable wildlife encounters. The conversation revolves around the experiences and encounters during a trip to Churchill, Manitoba. The participants discuss the behavior of polar bears, the beauty of fall colors, and the unique wildlife sightings they had. They also highlight the importance of respecting the animals and prioritizing their welfare over getting the perfect shot. The trip was filled with incredible experiences and opportunities for photography and videography. The participants express their gratitude for the trip and the chance to share their experiences with others.

    Keywords

    Churchill, Manitoba, polar bears, fall colors, trip, timing, logistics, packing gear, traveling, camera gear, backpack sponsor, F-stop, ICU units, flying, gate, Churchill, September, day one, experience, Aurora, JPEG, RAW, GoPros, smartphones, time-lapse, reflections, sleep deprivation, day length, polar bears, sightings, Northern Lights, polar bears, beluga whales, Churchill, hunting patterns, behavior, encounters, photography, guides, safety, Churchill, Manitoba, polar bears, fall colors, wildlife sightings, photography, videography, respecting animals, welfare, experiences

    Takeaways

    Churchill, Manitoba is a popular destination for photographing polar bears and experiencing the fall colors.

    The timing of the trip in September allowed for unique opportunities to capture polar bears and fall foliage.

    Traveling to Churchill involves smaller planes and limited carry-on space, requiring careful packing and gate checking of camera gear.

    Taking precautions such as wrapping gear in clothing and watching it being loaded onto the plane can help ensure its safety during travel. Traveling with camera gear can be challenging, especially when it comes to finding a suitable backpack and checking camera settings.

    Arriving in Churchill is an exciting experience, and the photographers wasted no time in exploring and photographing the wildlife.

    The sightings of polar bears and the Northern Lights were the highlights of the trip, providing unique and awe-inspiring photo opportunities.

    It's important to double-check camera settings, especially when renting or using new equipment, to avoid shooting in the wrong format.

    Using GoPros and smartphones can also capture memorable moments, such as time-lapses and light painting.

    The photographers experienced sleep deprivation due to the long daylight hours and late-night Aurora shoots.

    The trip lasted four full days, during which they saw and photographed seven polar bears. Polar bears congregate in Churchill waiting for the ice to form so they can hunt seals.

    The freshwater rivers in Churchill freeze earlier than the saltwater, allowing bears to hunt sooner.

    Beluga whales are curious and often approach boats, providing opportunities for close encounters.

    The guides prioritize safety while allowing for unique wildlife experiences.

    The group had the chance to photograph polar bears, beluga whales, and other wildlife in their natural habitats. Respect the animals and prioritize their welfare over getting the perfect shot

    The trip to Churchill, Manitoba offered unique wildlife sightings and opportunities for photography and videography

    The participants had incredible experiences and encounters with polar bears and witnessed the beauty of fall colors

    The trip was a reminder of the importance of experiencing and appreciating nature

    Titles

    Packing Gear for a Safe and Successful Trip
    Timing is Key: September Trip for Unique Opportunities Four Days of Polar Bear Sightings
    Excitement of Arriving in Churchill The Curiosity of Beluga Whales
    Capturing Amazing Wildlife Moments Prioritizing Animal Welfare in Wildlife Photography
    Experiencing the Beauty of Fall Colors in Churchill, Manitoba

    Sound Bites

    "We went to Churchill, Manitoba. And of course, the target species for that trip was polar bears."

    "The timing for me was the combination of aurora borealis and fall colors."

    "The smaller charter plane from Winnipeg to Churchill doesn't allow for the same size of carry-on that we're used to on the bigger jets."

    "We still don't have a backpack sponsor yet, but the F-stop interesting that they have these ICU units of varying sizes you can get inside the pack."

    "When you get there, what happens? What's day one like? What's going on? What is the experience when you arrive in Churchill in, sorry, what week in September?"

    "Here's that. But hey, a second bang, it was worth the cost."

    "We took the Zodiac out with the belugas, which... I didn't even think of whales when we go, you know, when Ron says, 'Hey, let's go shoot polar bears.'"

    "They're just super curious and very interesting animals. The way they look, they actually turn their head, which is a unique behavior for them."

    "All I needed was two more steps and this bear would have been just exactly on the other side of this still water pool would have been a perfect reflection."

    "Hehehehe"

    "This sucker is completely ignoring us"

    "That art of care was pretty cool"

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction and Technical Difficulties
    09:06 Destination: Churchill, Manitoba
    28:49 Challenges of Traveling with Camera Gear
    36:24 Importance of Checking Camera Settings
    46:01 Capturing Moments with GoPros and Smartphones
    56:36 Guides Ensuring Safety and Memorable Experiences
    01:16:34 Introduction and Ignored by a Polar Bear
    01:26:26 Reflecting on the Trip and Future Plans

  • SummaryIn this episode, the hosts engage in small talk before introducing their guest, Dawn Wilson. Dawn shares her recent trip to Peru, where she went on a riverboat tour along the Amazon River and photographed various wildlife, including birds, primates, and caimans. She also discusses her upcoming trip to Belize, where she expects to encounter diverse species of birds, reptiles, and primates. The conversation covers various topics related to the Amazon rainforest, including climate and weather, humidity, wildlife sightings, daily routines on the boat, interactions with local communities, daylight hours, photography experiences, simplicity and happiness in remote communities, the Iditarod race in Nome, Alaska, life in Nome, and upcoming trips to photograph bald eagles, Rocky Mountain National Park, and the Galapagos Islands. In this conversation, Dawn Wilson discusses her experiences with night photography and wildlife encounters. She shares tips for capturing the Milky Way and emphasizes the importance of planning and timing for successful night photography. Dawn also highlights the unique sensory experience of being in the dark and encountering wildlife. She recommends essential equipment and apps for night photography and discusses the benefits of using wide-angle lenses. The conversation concludes with updates on the Beyond the Wild podcast and upcoming photography trips.

    Takeaways

    Dawn Wilson's recent trip to Peru involved a riverboat tour along the Amazon River, where she photographed a wide range of wildlife.

    She saw various species of birds, primates, and caimans during her trip.

    Dawn's upcoming trip to Belize is expected to offer similar opportunities to photograph diverse species of birds, reptiles, and primates.

    Experiencing the natural world firsthand and sharing those experiences with others is a valuable and fulfilling aspect of wildlife photography. The Amazon rainforest experiences climate change, with variations in rainfall and temperature.

    Humidity in the Amazon can be high, but it feels different from other humid environments.

    Wildlife sightings in the Amazon can vary, with some days having abundant sightings and others requiring more time and patience.

    The daily routine on the boat includes multiple photography and birding sessions, meals, and opportunities to interact with local communities.

    Visiting remote communities can provide insights into different cultures and ways of life.

    The Iditarod race in Nome, Alaska is a challenging and historic event that showcases the endurance and teamwork of mushers and sled dogs.

    Life in Nome, Alaska is characterized by its remoteness, gold mining heritage, and unique wildlife opportunities.

    Upcoming trips include photographing bald eagles, exploring Rocky Mountain National Park, and visiting the Galapagos Islands. Night photography requires specific equipment, including a camera with a bulb setting, a remote shutter release, and a tripod.

    Timing is crucial for capturing the Milky Way, with the best times being the week before and after the new moon.

    Night photography provides a unique sensory experience, allowing photographers to hear and feel their surroundings in a different way.

    Encountering wildlife in the dark can be both thrilling and challenging, requiring photographers to be aware of their surroundings and respect the animals' space.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction and Small Talk

    03:01 Dawn Wilson's Trip to Peru

    07:16 Dawn Wilson's Trip to Belize

    25:44 Humidity in the Amazon

    26:51 Variability of Wildlife Sightings

    28:30 Daily Routine on the Boat

    31:26 Interactions with Local Communities

    32:07 Daylight Hours in the Amazon

    33:06 Photography Goals and Experiences

    36:13 Simplicity and Happiness in Remote Communities

    39:23 Exploring Different Cultures

    46:11 The Iditarod Race in Nome, Alaska

    50:11 Life in Nome, Alaska

    56:31 Upcoming Trips: Bald Eagles, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Galapagos

    58:10 Night Photography and Wildlife Encounters

    59:26 Night Sky Photography and Dark Sky Designation

    59:59 Photographing the Milky Way

    01:01:07 Moon Phase and Wildlife Encounters

    01:02:03 Night Photography and Sensory Experience

    01:03:19 Wildlife Encounters in the Dark

    01:04:26 Unexpected Wildlife Encounters

    01:07:05 Night Photography Tips

    01:10:13 Enhanced Senses in the Dark

    01:12:07 Essential Equipment for Night Photography

    01:14:03 Best Time for Night Photography

    01:17:32 Viewing and Photographing the Milky Way

    01:19:18 Night Photography Apps and Tools

    01:22:24 Recommended Lenses for Night Photography

    01:23:46 Night Photography Equipment and Techniques

    01:24:28 Diverse Photography Opportunities

    01:26:27 Beyond the Wild Podcast Updates

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