I’m back from my trip to the mountains and a weekend of talking turkey.  I’m having a bit of a technology glitch so it will be tomorrow or Tuesday before I put the story about the weekend up with the photos I took. 
This being Sunday it is the day I try to focus a little bit more on the outdoor photography so with that in mind let’s talk about planning for a photo safari.  The inspiration for this story came out of the travel section of today’s News and Observer the title of their story was “Grunt and Squeak and Squawk With the Animals” http://www.newsobserver.com/105/story/419684.html

Their story is not so much about the photography angle but just getting out there to see these creatures. [quote] Tours to see animals in their natural environments can range from the exotic (a safari to Kenya and Tanzania to witness the migration of thundering wildebeest) to the less exotic (a meandering driving trip in the American West to see grazing bison). Whatever you choose, here’s how to plan your trip wisely. [/quote] If your like me if your going to see them you’ll also be shooting some photographs too.  Their story goes on about how to choose a good tour group operator or a guide and they offer some great tips on how to go about selecting the right company to book with.    I’ve got nothing against using guides or tour groups but if I can avoid them I do.  Some of the places they talk about going you definitely need someone to help you get in there and to be safe while your there.  We’ve utilized tours for a lot of water type tours because short of bringing your own boat you have no way to get out there.  
 

 I’m more a do it yourself type [quote] Rather than go on an organized tour, you could be your own guide.
State and national parks — including Florida’s Everglades National Park, the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles live together — and wildlife refuges are generously sprinkled throughout the United States.
And many foreign countries have similarly protected reserves — such as Donana National Park near Seville, Spain, home to the endangered pardel lynx — that you could explore on your own.
For a list of U.S. wildlife refuges, check the Web site of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (www.fws.gov). U.S. national parks are listed at www.nps.gov. For info on parks around the world where you can view wildlife, see the Great Outdoors Recreation Pages (www.gorp.com).
 [/quote]

I research a lot of information about the area we are going to be and what type of wildlife is in the area.  I read wildlife guides, I go to the state wildlife page and research any information they have.  I study about a lot of different animals and the type of habitat they like so when I’m traveling and I see it I can look more closely for those animals.  The National Parks and The National Forest Service usually have great information and sometimes even a visitors center where you can get up to date information on the things that interest you. 
I like big game animals so we travel a lot to see elk, moose and deer and just my knowledge from being a hunter and understanding the life cycle of the animal it stacks the odds in my favor for seeing those animals.  Our trip a few years back to Alaska was one that we did utilize some tours Kenai Fjords we went out on a boat tour and of course Denali you have to use the bus system to access the park.  We saw a lot and photographed a lot of animals many we may have missed if I hadn’t read and planned for our trip. 

On a trip to Arizona a few years back I got caught in a back road construction project that delayed me more the 45 minutes.  I struck up a conversation with the flag operator and to my surprise he pointed out some big horn sheep that were on the cliffs way above us.  Unfortunately the shadows and the distance photographing them with the equipment I had was not possible.   I was content with just watching them through my binoculars.  On another trip to Oregon we were sitting in a Laundromat when I noticed a man walk by with some arrows in his hand.  My curiosity was raised so I followed him across the parking lot and discovered a hunting store.  After about 30 minutes of talking with folks in the store I had a couple of places to go and check out for some elk photographing the next few days.  Talk with the locals and you’ll discover places not on maps, not in the guide books and places you would just drive by and miss them. 

  So as you plan your next trip check out the National Park Services website, as well as state wildlife website, and also get you a field guide for wildlife in the area you plan to be.  With these few steps maybe you’ll get that perfect photo of an elk.

 

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