Staying Safe On Your Wildlife Trip
Staying Safe On Your Wildlife Trip
We wanted to address the importance of safety while you are in the planning phase of your trip.
We wouldn’t sacrifice safety for a photo! Stating the obvious is a good way to start this section. Wildlife is wild. As such they are unpredictable. I would never advise putting yourself, and the people you might be within harm's way for the sake of a photo.
But that is not the only thing that we need to be cognizant of. You could be far away from civilization, and let’s face it, more than likely out of cell range, and not walking on paved roads. Both the terrain and the creepy crawlies that inhabit the areas you may visit can cause serious, even lethal injuries.
The first bit of advice I would give you is to try not to go out on your own. Take a buddy. I know that is always not possible. But I highly recommend it.
My second bit of advice is to have something like an inReach Mini. I discuss that product in the accessories section. You will also receive a PDF of my favorite accessories with links on how to find them.
It’s advised that you tell someone where you are going, and how long you expect to be out taking photos.
Do some research on any potential creepy crawlies that you might encounter. Learn where you might encounter them, and while out taking photos, watch for them.
Bring more than enough food or water. Not drinking enough water is one of the greatest mistakes people make. How much water you need depends on the climate, your level of exertion, and your own needs. Bring water filters and/or purifying tablets if you aren’t able to carry as much water as you’ll need.
Protect yourself from the sun. Even on cloudy days. Sunscreen and a brimmed hat will protect you from sunburn. And don't think that one application means you're set for the day. Follow the guidelines on the container.
Be prepared for accidents. Compact, specialized first aid kits for outdoor enthusiasts are readily available. And you have taken that first aid course, haven’t you?
Wear appropriate clothing for the weather and terrain. Check the weather forecast. Bring rain gear and warm clothing (because weather forecasters aren’t always right). Dress in layers.
Load up, but not too much. You’ll need a backpack to stow all your gear. It should be big enough to carry everything, but also comfortable to wear. Don’t forget a rain cover for your pack if it doesn’t have one built-in.
Wear Appropriate Footwear - If you’re planning to hit the trails, be sure to choose sturdy footwear like hiking boots or a cross-training shoe with solid tread. They not only offer better ankle support, but they also give you better traction when navigating rocky outcrops. Though they are often comfortable, shoes like Tevas, flip-flops, or Crocs are not a good choice for the trails.
We covered a lot in this section of posts. From planning your trip to visualization, thinking like a naturalist, safety, and discussing the importance of being a steward of our environment.
While it was all extremely helpful information, there are three key points that you should take away from this whole section of posts.
1– Conduct extensive research before you embark on your wildlife outing
2– Pre-visualization is going to help you go home a much happier photographer. You will have achieved most, if not all of your photographic goals. This is a theme that will be weaved throughout this whole video series. You are going to learn in subsequent videos that pre-visualization is going to have a positive effect, not only in identifying the photos you want to take but will also have a positive impact on how you take your photos. Finally, you are going to learn that pre-visualization is also going to help you edit your photos long after your trip is over.
3- Ethics should drive your decisions, respect nature and wildlife, and last, be safe, and make smart choices.
Let’s leave this section, and look forward to the next topic of wildlife gear and accessories. In this series of blog posts we are going to talk about the following:
Wildlife Cameras - We want to give you an overview of all options people should consider when looking for a wildlife camera – Frame Rate, Buffer, ISO capabilities
Wildlife Lenses – In this lesson, we will discuss the capabilities you should consider than looking for a wildlife lens.
Camera Support – We felt it important to address Tripods, Tripod Heads, and other camera support methods.
Wildlife Photography Accessories – This is an overview of important accessories every wildlife photographer should have in their bag. We will discuss photography blinds and flash gear
Safety Equipment - often overlooked, we should all have with us gear that will keep us safe when out in nature.
Camera Carriers and how to travel with your gear – We will discuss all the options you could consider looking at, then look at how to safely travel with all this expensive camera gear.
Image Management – You have invested in a lot of gear to take those wildlife images, but how do you safely care for your images from your shooting location to your hard drives at home?