The Best Places for Photography in Hanoi

VietnaMs Capital

Hanoi is a city rich with culture. Its delicious food, cheap prices and friendly people are a draw for many tourists. Hanoi is also a photographers paradise. Old temples, and interesting people, Hanoi has it all.

Below are a list of my top 3 places for photography in Hanoi.

Hoan Kiem Lake

Located in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake is a must visit for photographers. Meaning lake of the returning sword, there is a legend attached to the lake making it very important for locals.

-Thap Rua

Built to honor Le Loi, a Vietnamese hero, the turtle tower was built in 1886 on top of a small island in Hoan Kiem Lake. The tower has become a symbol for Hanoi.

Be sure to bring a telephoto lens to capture this stunning tower.

-Ngoc Son Temple

Located on an island in the north part of the lake, the name means “The temple of the Jade Mountain”. The temple was built in the 18th century to commemorate a Vietnamese war hero from the 13th century.

This temple looks stunning at blue hour but finding a clean composition including the bridge with no people around can be quite the challenge.

 

Tran Quoc Pagoda

Located on an island between West Lake and Truc Bach Lake the pagoda itself is over 1500 years old. Another symbol of Hanoi and one of the most popular attractions in all of Hanoi.

The best time to photograph the pagoda is at golden hour and blue hour. It can be quite popular with photographers so if you are using a tripod you might want to get there early to get set up. Bring a wide angle lens in order to capture the scene.

 

Hanoi’s Old Quarter

Hanoi’s Old Quarter is a great place for street photography. Its busy and full of culture. The people and the architecture are both very photogenic. The best way to spend a day here is to just wander around the streets looking for images. I would recommend taking a medium range zoom lens with you as you wander the streets to help capture interesting moments.

The best time to photograph this area would be around golden hour as the light is soft and dramatic. But anytime during the day there are still photos to be had.

 

The best locations to photograph Denali Peak

Photographing“The Great One”

Located about 2.5hours north of Anchorage, Alaska is North Americas largest peak; Denali. Formerly known as Mt. McKinley, Denali rises 20,310ft (6190m) above sea level. It is a location that is on many photographers bucket list. Denali is notorious for being covered in clouds and only 30% of people who travel to the area are able to catch a glimpse of Denali peak. This group is appropriately known as the “30% Club”.

The seasons greatly effect how your photographs will look. In late June through July the wildflowers bloom making some very interesting images. in September the fall colors begin to peak making the scenery breathtaking.

Below is a list of places that, if visible, will provide spectacular views and photograph opportunities of the mountain.

Denali view South

  • Location: Denali State Park

  • Address: Mile 135.2 Parks Highway

  • Open: Mid-June until late fall.

  • Accessibility: Easy (Short walk)

Located in Denali State park, the South View Offers breathtaking views of Denali and the Alaska Range. The South View is directly off the Parks Highway at mile post 135.2 and is clearly marked with a road sign. There is a lot of parking and there are 2 different viewpoints. The first view is directly across from the parking lot. If you follow the trail to the right you can climb a hill and will be treated to an even better view with some more interpretive signs.

Curry Ridge Trail

  • Location: Denali State Park (K’esugi Ken Campground)

  • Address: Mile 135.4 Parks Highway

  • Open: Mid-June until late fall.

  • Accessibility: Hard (Strenuous hike)

 

Located by the K’esugi Ken campground in Denali State park is the Curry Ridge Trail. The trailhead is right across from a daily parking area and the fee is $5. This trail is about 6.5 miles return and climbs about 1000ft up to curry ridge.

When you reach the top above tree-line you are treated with spectacular view of Denali. There are also some good viewpoints along the way.

This is a bit of a challenging hike and while the trail is mostly well maintained, it can still be muddy any time of the year. There are a decent amount of bears in the area so be cautious and take bear spray.

 

Moose Flats Loop Trail

  • Location: Denali State Park (K’esugi Ken Campground)

  • Address: Mile 135.4 Parks Highway

  • Open: Mid-June until late fall.

  • Accessibility: Easy (Short walk)

Located at the same parking lot in K’esugi Campground as the Curry Ridge Trial, The Moose Flats Trail loop offers amazing views of Denali. The trail is only about a half mile long and goes by some small ponds. This trail is definitely worth checking out, to take an easy stroll to a nice viewpoint.

The parking area is equipped with picnic tables that provide an excellent place to have lunch as you take in views of the mountain.

Denali view North

  • Location: Denali State Park

  • Address: Mile 162.7 Parks Highway

  • Open: Mid-June until late fall.

  • Accessibility: Easy

The North Viewpoint is right at the north edge of Denali state park. The viewpoint has a parking lot and picnic tables. The views of the mountain are directly across from the parking lot making it very easy to hop out of your car to go see the mountain.

Denali NAtional Park

  • Location: Denali National

  • Address: Parks Highway

  • Open: Mid-May until mid-September.

  • Accessibility: Easy

Denali National park has some stunning views of the mountain from the park road. Only the fist few miles are accessible by personal vehicle . To get farther into the park you must take a bus. But even if you don’t get to see the mountain, the bus ride is well worth it as you may see a lot of spectacular wildlife.

From Alice to Albany: A 4000 mile road trip across the Western Side of Australia

From Alice To Albany

18 October 2018 — 21 November 2018

I was working for 6 months in Kings Canyon as a restaurant/bar supervisor. I was able to save up enough money to buy a 2002 Subaru Forester. Living in remote Outback Australia its easy to save money (as long as you don’t drink it all away at the pub) with the nearest town being four and a half hours away on the bitumen. Upon finishing working at Kings Canyon Resort in the Red Centre of Australia, I set off on a 34 day/4,000 mile road trip. Up to the Top End, then down through Western Australia to Albany.

It was a hot October morning and I was all packed up and left around 10am. I traveled south on Luritja Rd, then east on the Lasseter Highway then north on the Stuart towards Kakadu National Park. There is nothing like driving in Outback Australia in the Northern Territory. The red dirt and desaturated green shrubs stretch on for what appears to be an eternity, unobscured by anything man made. The road goes on forever, flat and straight.

My first night on the road I got to experience the harshness of the bush firsthand. I stayed north of Devils Marbles where I slept in a rest area in the back of my car. It was about 80’F at night and I could not crack the windows as I would get swarmed by bugs. My battery powered fan broke after a few minutes of use. Needless to say I did not have the most comfortable sleep. I was so overcome with excitement to be able to explore this vast land in front of me, I was not bothered by the lack of comforts of living on the road.

As I traveled north the dry baron landscape gave away to much more green scenery. I then entered Kakadu National Park.

Kakadu

Located in the north of the Northern Territory, 171km southeast of Darwin, lies a vast open land with an abundance of wildlife. At approximately 4.9 million acres, Kakadu National Park is one of the largest National Parks in Australia. This park was high on my list of places I wanted to see as I wanted to photograph the wildlife, especially the crocs.

I spent 5 days exploring the park camping at various locations. I traveled dirt roads, swan in swimming holes and hiked through the trackless bush. It was some of the most brutal camping conditions I had ever experienced. During the day it would reach 110’F and at night not much lower than 80”F. This temperature made both daily hiking and night sleeping very uncomfortable. A few times during the heat of midday, I would just sit in my car with the aircon on to cool off after a morning hike.

I saw a countless amount of wildlife and was able to get several exceptional images from this trip. I saw feral horses and cattle, wallabies, crocodiles and many different types of birds. I took a boat cruise down the Yellow Water billabong that was well worth the money spent. With my first major stop a large success I was more than happy to rest for a few days in Darwin to do my washing and take a much needed shower.

Click Here to read more | Kakadu: A Wildlife Photographers Paradise

Darwin

I stayed at the YHA hostel in the CBD of Darwin for 3 nights to recover from the heat. I enjoyed a nice comfortable bed and edited some images. I spent my days enjoying the inside aircon. I did a restock on groceries at Coles, then headed back west to continue my journey.

Litchfield National Park

About an hour and a half southwest of Darwin lies Litchfield National Park. Famous for its waterfalls and large termite mounds, I decided to spend 2 days there and camp a night. I (attempted) to photograph Wangi Falls, had a nice peaceful night camping, then got up early to photograph the termite mounds at sunrise.

Litchfield to Broome

I spent the next several days mostly driving west to the coast of Western Australia. This was one of the most remote drives I have done in my life. At times there were hundreds of miles between servo’s. I carried a Jerry can and did have to use it as one of the road houses I stopped at did not have any unleaded and would not receive a shipment for a few days. This was a vast, open, empty land. Void of human presence, It felt as though I was an explorer discovering new lands.

It did get very hot on the drive, with temperatures hitting 44’C (111’F). One time my car started to overheat due to the long hours of driving in such heat. I had to pull off the side of the road and let the car cool off. I checked the fluids and waited until the car was fully cooled down then I began again on my way. You must always be prepared for a drive west across WA with extra food, water, and the necessary tools. The is very remote and wild country.

I spent the next few days traveling this route. I stayed at a few campground, slept in my car, and explored some dirt roads and national parks. This was one of the most amazing adventures I have ever been on. The desolate empty scenery was stunning. The lack of human activity made you realize there are still parts in this world that are consumed by the wild, places that humanity has not yet tamed, and will not for a long time to come.

I made it to Broome and stayed in a hostel for a few nights to recover and restock. While traveling like this hostels are the cheapest way by far to stay indoors. They are also great places to meet interesting people from all around the world and hear some amazing stories of travel, and places you should go and places to avoid.

All rested and cleaned up, I repacked the car and set out for Karijini National Park.

Karijini National Park

I left Broome and headed South West following the coast to Port Headland. I headed south on 95 towards Tom Price and Karijini National Park where I would camp for a few days.

Located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, Karijini is WA’s second largest National Park. It is known for its spectacular gorges, and ancient rocks. Several swimming holes are great to cool down in the heat of the day. While most of the park is inaccessible or accessible only by four-wheel drive, the parts that are accessible are very well maintained.

I spent a few days there camping at Dales Campground within the park. It was a nice campground and while I was there in November it wasn’t too busy. The heat was almost unbearable. I would hike to the bottom of the gorges during the day and dip in the pools to try and escape the scorching sun. I hiked around and explored the gorges a lot. I also did a bit of off trail hiking through the bush. Surprisingly I saw very little wildlife.

Karijini was a spectacular park to visit. It is full of natural wonders, it is remote, wild, and definitely worth a visit. After my few days there I headed west on 136 towards Exmouth and Cape Range National Park.

Cape Range National Park

There are a few places in Australia that stand out in all my travels. One of those places is Cape Range National Park. Located just a few miles from Exmouth, Cape Range consists of a rugged limestone range and an arid coastal plain that meets the spectacular Ningaloo Reef.

I spent a few nights camping at Neds Campground. It was a very relaxing spot, and it wasn’t too crowded. I was able to fall asleep to the peaceful sound of the ocean each night.

Cape Arid has an abundance of wildlife. It was one of the best parks I visited in Australia with opportunities for wildlife photography. I saw dingoes, emus, heaps of kangaroos and wallabies and even a large Mulga snake. I would spend the time before sunset driving up and down the paved road in the park photographing wildlife as I went. I would wake before the sun breaks the horizon and again take back to the drivers seat in search of wildlife.

I was able to see a very large Mulga snake basking in the sun on one of the dirt roads. I got out my long lens and was able to get relatively close and photograph him. He was non aggressive and didn’t mind me much at all.

The park was not too popular so it was no drama to pull of the side of the road to take images. I was not expecting to have that many wildlife encounters in this park so it was a pleasant surprise to be able to come away with so many images.

I also spent a bit of time snorkeling in the Ningaloo Reef. It was spectacular. I saw green sea turtles, beautiful reef and many fish. This is a prime location to swim with whale sharks but due to it not being the correct time of the year, I was unable to see any.

After I filled my memory cards with images of wildlife, I set off south down 1 towards Kalbarri.

Kalbarri and Hutt LAgoon

I headed south not knowing quite where I wanted to stop next. I ended up visiting Kalbarri National Park and stayed at Kalbarri. Kalbarri was a nice small coastal town. The national park had some epic views and dramatic coastline.

I then went to Hutt Lagoon (Pink Lake). It was very interesting to see a lake such a vibrant pink color.. The pink color is caused by the presence of carotenoid-producing algae, Dunaliella salina, and Vitamin A. After I continued to head south.

Nambung National Park

Located only 2 hours north of Perth is Nambung National Park. It is a park known for its pinnacle rock formations. It was an amazing sight to see. There is a sand track that you take around the park and you pass by alien looking formations coming out of the ground. I spent a day there exploring, and was able to see the sunset before finding a place to stay in my car a few miles away.

Fremantle

I went to Perth with the idea I would try and find work there. After getting turned around in the city and struggling to find an affordable place to stay, I decided to stay a few night in nearby Fremantle. I stayed there for 3 nights in a hostel. I changed my oil in the parking lot and checked over my car to make sure all was well. Once I was well rested, I decided to move on to find another place to stay and find work.

Great Southern Region

Located south of Perth and taking up the southwest corner of Western Australia is the Great Southern Region. This area encompasses rugged coastlines, large Karri forests and mountains. There are many amazing National Parks in this region and I spent several days exploring some of what it had to offer. I headed to the south coast driving through some spectacularly large Karri Forests.

--Conspicuous Cliff

I visited this location for sunset and hiked the beach. There was no one else there but myself and it was very peaceful and relaxing. I stayed in my car in a nearby campground.

 

— D'Entrecasteaux National Park

Another spectacular coastal national park, with dramatic cliffs lining the coast. I explored the coast line as well, looking for images. The wind here was very strong and the weather was a bit cold. Definitely not weather for laying out on the beach.

After spending several days exploring this amazing area, I decided to stop for a few nights at the 1849 Backpackers hostel in Albany, Western Australia. The goal was to just rest up and keep on moving. I ended up really enjoying my stay in Albany at the hostel so I decided to find work there and stay for a few months to replenish my bank account.

Watch On YouTube: Australia Landscape Photography | Epic View at Torndirrup National Park

This trip was an absolutely amazing experience that will never be forgotten. Traveling the vast open land of the Northern Territory and Western Australia by car is something not many people get to experience, so I was very fortunate. I saw breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable wildlife on my journey. And this was just the beginning of my adventures in Australia.

Best Places for Wildlife Photography In Australia

Wildlife Down Under

It is hard to think of Australia without thinking of its magnificent wildlife. From kangaroo’s hopping in mobs across the open outback, to koalas lazing around in eucalyptus trees, Australia has an abundance of wildlife. For wildlife photographers, Australia is high on the list of dream locations to go to capture these amazing animal in the wild.

I spent 2.5 years in Australia in the working visa program. I traveled over 30,000 miles around the vast continent and visited many National Parks. I had my Nikon D500 and Tamron 150-600mm with me the whole time, capturing as much of the wildlife as I possibly could.

Below are the best places I have visited for wildlife photography in Australia.

Kakadu National Park

  • Location: Top End of The Northern Territory

  • Nearest City: Darwin (160km)

  • Size: 4.89 million acres

  • Notable Wildlife: Brumbies, water buffalo, crocodiles, wallabies, 280 bird species

Kakadu National park is an amazing spot for wildlife photography. Covering 4.89 million acres of billabongs, waterfalls, savanna woodlands, and lowlands Kakadu hosts a large amount of wildlife. Approximately 280 different bird species, 60 mammal species, 25 species of frogs, and 117 species leaves no shortage of wildlife to photograph.

The wet season is from November-March and can be very inconvenient/ impossible for wildlife photography. Roads flood and become inaccessible and a lot of the park will close down. Rivers flood making it harder to find crocs on the boat cruises.

Read More: Best Way To See Crocodiles in Australia

Cape Range National Park

  • Location: Coral Coast Western Australia

  • Nearest Town: Exmouth (45km)

  • Size: 124,988 acres

  • Notable Wildlife: Emus, wallabies, dingoes, whale sharks

Cape Range National Park is an amazing spot to visit as a wildlife photographer. Black-footed wallabies can be seen in the lime stone range. Wallabies, emus and dingoes can frequently be seen as you drive the main road of the park. Most of the wildlife is accustomed to cars and will not flee when you get close enough to get a good shot.

The park borders the pristine waters of The Ningaloo Reef. There are plenty of opportunities for underwater wildlife photography if you have the proper equipment. Swimming with whale sharks is a popular activity when the largest fish is present in the area (March-August)

Magnetic Island

  • Location: North Queensland

  • Nearest City: Townsville (8km)

  • Notable Wildlife: Koalas, Wallabies, Echidnas, Death Adders

Located by just a short ferry ride from Townsville lies Magnetic Island. Magnetic Island is a 12,851 acre island and two-thirds of the island is a National Park. While there is an abundance of wildlife on the island, the main animal to go see and photograph would be koalas.

Watch On YouTube: WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY | Koalas, Wallabies, and a Spider

Magnetic Island boast about several hundred koalas. They are all over the island but are easiest to spot on the forts walk. Koalas can sleep up to 20 hours a day, so they can frequently be spotted sleeping in the trees. This Aussie icon is spectacular to see in their natural habitat and Magnetic Island would be my go to photograph and view koalas in the wild.

Watch On YouTube: Wildlife Photography | Koalas

Bladensburg National Park

  • Location: Outback Queensland

  • Nearest Town: Winton (20km)

  • Size: 209,792 acres

  • Notable Wildlife: Red Kangaroos, Emus, Bustards

Bladensburg National Park is a place that one would think of when the Australian Outback comes to mind. Large red kangaroos can frequently be seen hopping around in the first morning light and last light of the day. Wildlife can be easily spotted over the vast grassland plains and river flats. There is a campground at the park so you can set up a base as you wander around the dusty roads in search of wildlife to photograph.

Watch On YouTube: Wildlife Photography in Outback Australia | Kangaroos in Bladensburg

Bladensburg has amazing backdrops for photos. For photography, it really puts these amazing animals in the proper Aussie outback environment. The park is a bit off the beaten path and doesn’t get too busy, so there aren’t too many vehicles flying down the road to scare away the wildlife.

Watch On YouTube: Photographing Landscapes and Wildlife in Bladensburg National Park

Kakadu: A Wildlife Photographers Paradise

KAKADU National park

There are a few places around the globe that give you seemingly endless opportunities to photograph wildlife. Kakadu National Park is one of those special locations. located in the Top End of the Northern Territory of Australia. Covering 4.89 million acres of billabongs, waterfalls, savanna woodlands, and lowlands Kakadu hosts a large amount of wildlife. Approximately 280 different bird species, 60 mammal species, 25 species of frogs, and 117 species leaves no shortage of wildlife to photograph.

I took a 5 day holiday there in 2018 at the end of October to Kakadu. It has long been on my list to visit as I knew the park had a large amount of wildlife so on a road trip from Alice Springs to Albany I made it a point to spend several days there. In October it is the Dry Season so the waterfalls are not flowing too much but accessibility in the park is good as in the Wet Season roads frequently flood and a lot of the dirt road become inaccessible.

Below is an account of my few days in Kakadu. I highlight a few special places that I was able to get some amazing wildlife shots from. I only spent a few days there but the amount of wildlife I was able to see and photograph was stunning.

FERALS (Gunlom)

I arrived in Kakadu National Park mid-afternoon from the south and stopped at the first visitor center I found to gather information. I reviewed some maps and decided to stay at Gunlom Campsite for the night. I didn’t know what wildlife I would encounter in the area, I just new I was ready for adventure and to photograph some animals. The campsite was located down an app. 36km dirt road that had several spots of flooding and had terrible corrugation making it a slow yet thrilling drive.

 

I arrived at the campsite and hastily set up my tent and got settled in. I mad a quick lunch and relaxed from the heat of the day and then set out with my camera. The campground is surrounded by thick vegetation and a few open areas that I was able to do some off trail exploring around. It wasn’t long until I found my first subject. A few Sulphur crested cockatoos were in a tree and I was able to sneak up and get an image of one.

I continued onwards deeper into the bush fighting the green tree ants and the heat. I got into some thick forest and stopped when I saw movement ahead. I knew there were water buffalo in the park and I was looking forward to be able to photograph them. The animal I saw moving resembled a buffalo as I only saw its back. I snuck a bit closer in order to get a clear shot. It heard me coming and turned its head. It was not a water buffalo but rather a feral bull. It gave me a startle as I was not expecting to see such wildlife in a place as remote as Kakadu. I slowly backed away as the bull seemed quite bothered by my presence and I know that such an animal can be quite dangerous. As I made my distance between us, the bull went back to grazing and I went back into the clearing.

 

When I reached the clearing it wasn’t long until I saw my next large mammal. Out of the bush about 50 yards away emerged a beautiful black stallion. Feral horses, or brumbies, can be found all over Australia and there is a large population in Kakadu. I took a few images, then he stepped back into the bush. I wandered back to my campsite, ate dinner, and prepared for a restless sleep in The Territory heat.

I awoke for sunrise and returned to the same open area in the bush looking for the wild horses. I found a herd of them. They were running all around and were chasing each other. It appeared the large male was trying to mate with a few of the females. A few times they got uncomfortably close to where I was taking pictures. Brumbies can be very aggressive but luckily I did not get attacked. I then broke camp in early afternoon and set off to a new spot in the park.

Anbangbang Billabong

I decided to camp at Mardukal Campground. Being close to Yellow water, where I signed up for a morning and evening boat cruise, it was a convienient location to stay. I set up camp and decided to go explore the park and look for more wildlife to photograph. I decided to try my luck at Anbangbang Billabong. Located in the Burrungkuy region of Kakadu is Anbangbang Billabong. I went there in the afternoon to find wildlife to photograph and the location did not disappoint. I walked around the billabong taking pictures as I went looking for interesting wildlife to photograph. Everywhere I turned there was a new type of bird and I even managed to see a group of wallabies grazing in the carpark. After a successful shoot with an abundance of wildlife I headed back to camp excited for tomorrows cruise and hopefully being able to see crocodiles.

Yellow Water

I awoke early and headed to the port where I would board for the boat cruise. Part of the South Alligator River floodplain Yellow Water Billabong provide unmatched wildlife viewing and photography opportunities. The best way to view wildlife is to take one of the cruises. I booked 2 tours, sunrise and sunset, as I wanted as many possible opportunities to get pictures as possible. I specifically wanted to photograph water buffalo and crocodiles. I had plenty of opportunities to photograph both.

The 2 hour boat cruise was very much a success. I saw countless numbers of interesting birds, several water buffalo that were right by the banks and heaps of crocodiles. The crocs swam very close to the boat and it was amazing to be able to witness such prehistoric animals traversing the waterways so effortlessly. The tour guide was very knowledgeable on the area and the surrounds. The sides of the boat were perfect for me to rest my long lens on to be able to capture some extraordinary images.

There was no outlier in the sunrise or sunset cruise. On both I was able to see an astonishing amount of wildlife. I cannot recommend a Yellow Water Cruise enough. Though I normally stray away from tours It was one of the best experiences I have ever had for wildlife photography. It is almost guaranteed that you will be able to come away with some amazing images of the wildlife Australia’s Top End.

Mamukala wetlands

I awoke, broke camp yet again and headed into Jabiru, where I stayed at a campground with more services as I needed to do laundry and take a much needed shower. The heat and humidity in The Territory’s Top End is very extreme. During the day it would reach 110’F and at night not much lower than 80”F. This is definitely not ideal camping weather and each night I found it very uncomfortable to sleep. But I took it as a challenge. Being in a foreign land, in a new ecosystem I gladly endured the conditions for the reward of being able to experience such natural beauty was worth it to me.

 

After a morning and early afternoon of relaxing and cleaning, I got restless and decided to go out again to take some images. I headed east on the Arnhem Highway to another wet lands; Mamukala. I read of this location and decided to visit because it has a large variety of birds, as well as a viewing platform that works perfectly as a photography blind. I arrived a few hours before sunset, set up my camera and started shooting.

There was wildlife everywhere. All kinds of birds I didn’t know existed let alone knew their names. My 150mm-600mm lens had a perfect amount of reach and I was able to come away with several good images of Magpie Geese. I was also able to spot some agile wallabies on the bank with a few young joeys as well.

Two Mile Hole

So not really a recommended spot to do wildlife photography, I still went there and had an awesome experience.

Two Mile Hole is a secluded campground about 12km down a rough single land dirt road, north off the Arnhem Highway. I heard of this place by a ranger said a brumby was attacked by a crocs a few days prior. Also hearing it was free camping and no one goes there, I thought it would be a great place to try my luck with some wildlife photography there.

I arrived at the campground and sure enough, I was the only one there. The heat was almost unbearable. It was in a wooded area but the tree didn’t completely block out the sun and the humidity was terrible. I set up camp, relaxed for awhile, then gabbed my camera gear and set off in search of wildlife. The campground is right by the Branch Wildman River and I followed it for a few miles looking for crocs sunning on the banks. I traversed through the very thick vegetation being very attentive to where I was stepping as to be mindful of stumbling on a croc or stepping on a venomous snake. I encountered neither.

I found a clearing and sat for awhile waiting for any wildlife to emerge from the thick forest. As I sat I fought off the stings of the green tree ants and I did end up seeing a wallaby, but nothing else.

I headed back to camp and no one else had joined me in staying at the campsite. I prepared for a restless night of sleep in the heat. I awoke the next day and broke camp, then headed to Darwin putting an end to my time in Kakadu.

Kakadu National Park is an unmatched place to see some of Australia’s most iconic wildlife. Only a few hour drive from Darwin it is well worth planning a visit for photography. I got several portfolio shots by only spending a few days in the park. Though the conditions may be a bit of a challenge, the wildlife you will be able to see is more than worth any shortcomings of the park. (The park also hosts a lot of cultural significance and rock art that I did not mention)

Top 5 Locations in Far North Queensland For Landscape Photography (Cairns Region)

Cairns region, Queensland Australia

Cairns is a city located in Tropical Far North Queensland. It is the gateway to the great barrier reef. Surrounding Cairns is unmatched landscape photography opportunities. I spent 8 month living in the region, I had plenty of time to explore the surrounds and find some amazing locations to photograph.

There are epic waterfalls, thick jungles, tall mountains, and blissful seascapes, this region has so much diversity in a relatively small area. Where the rainforest meets the reef the population here is very scarce and there is a lot of National Parks and public areas to be explored and photographed.

For most of these locations the best way to see them is to hire a car or camper van.

It was very difficult to compose a list of my top 5 locations as there are so many. But here are 5 excellent landscape photography locations that must not be missed when visiting the epic Cairns Region.

(In no particular order)

  1. Daintree Rainforest

Located approximately 2 hours north of Cairns lies the Daintree Rainforest. Part of the largest rainforest in the world the Daintree is full of lush jungle and amazing seascapes. The only way to access it is to take a ferry across the Daintree River. The 180 million year old rainforest is a very special place to visit with an abundance of photographic opportunities. Lodging in the Daintree can be quite expensive so I usually camp at Noah Beach Campground.

Noah Beach Campground is only a few metres from the beach and there are several footpaths leading to the beach. I would walk the beach for sunset and sunrise looking for images. I was usually always able to get a few excellent shots. Every time I have stayed, it wasn’t too busy and it was peaceful and relaxing.

2. Palm Cove to Port Douglas

I have driven the 43km drive from Palm Cove to Port Douglas multiple times. It is one of the best drives I have driven in my life. The road winds along the ocean. Heading North you have mountainous rainforest to your left and the Great Barrier Reef and pristine sandy beaches to the right. There are multiple pullouts and beach access areas along the way that present exceptional photo opportunities. Many times I have explored these beaches and have not seen another soul for miles. Though the water looks very inviting swimming is not recommended due to crocs and Irukandji jellyfish being present in the water. If you arrive in Cairns and rent a car, it is definitely worth taking this route for sunrise and sunset to try and find some compositions.

3. Barron Gorge National Park (Stoney Creek Rd)

Located only about 25mins West of Cairns is Barron Gorge National Park. It is a tropical jungle/mountainous National Park with many sights to see and photograph. There are several different access points into the park and each way takes you to somewhere unique. Barron Falls is the main sight to see and it is definitely worth a visit. I do not have any images of the falls as I thought it didn’t photograph well and I couldn’t get a clear composition but it is definitely a spectacular sight to see and possibly photograph. Most of my favorite spots to photograph in this park take a little bit of trekking to reach but they are well worth it.

All 3 of the following locations are in the same general area on Stoney Creek Road.

—Glacier Rock

Starting at the end of Stoney Creek Rd. One of the more popular hikes, Glacier Rock, is a 6km return hike. This somewhat strenuous hike takes you through some thick jungle and up the mountain until you are treated with views of the surrounding towns and the ocean.

Watch on YouTube: Hiking to Glacier Rock for Sunset

 

—Smith Trail

Approximately 1km before Stoney Creek Rd. ends, there is a pullout for the Smith Trail. One of my favorite hikes in the region, the Smith Trail starts with a steep ascent, then follows a river with multiple small waterfalls that are very picturesque.

Watch on YouTube: Photographing Waterfalls on the Smith Trail

—Stoney Creek

Starting at the same trailhead as Glacier Rock, Stoney Creek trail takes you along the river and presents many compositions. The trail ends at a waterfall but if you choose to keep following Stoney Creek off trail for a few more miles you will be taken to stunning Stoney Creek Falls.

Watch on YouTube: Jungle Trekking To Stoney Creek Falls

 

4.Nandroya Falls

Located 120km south of Cairns in Wooroonooran National Park (fun word to say) is Nandroya Falls. A 6.6km return hike through some stunning jungle scenery that will take you to a very photogenic 50-metre drop waterfall. There is an upper and a lower falls with ferns everywhere, this is a truly spectacular location to photograph. Make sure to check yourself for leeches when you get back to the carpark, though not dangerous, I did have a few on my ankle the whole 2 hour drive home and I didn’t realize. I did this hike 4 times and it never got old. The best time to photograph the falls is when it is an overcast day. Since it is deep in the jungle light has a hard time reaching the falls.

5. The WaterFall Circuit (Milla Milla Area)

100km Southwest of Cairns and a few minute drive east from Milla Milla is The Waterfall Circuit drive. The drive is a 17km loop and it takes you to 3 amazing waterfalls. All the waterfalls are relatively accessible and all are very photogenic. You can do all 3 in a few hours. Surrounded by deep green ferns the Milla Milla circuit is a must see.

—Milla Milla Falls

An 18m drop waterfall and is the most photographed waterfall in Australia. It is an easy walk to the falls down stairs to the carpark. This waterfall has also been featured in a few commercials. You can also swim in the waterhole in front of the falls leading to some interesting photo opportunities.

 

—Zillie Falls

30m drop waterfall that the top can be seen from an easy stroll from the carpark. If you feel a bit more adventurous you can climb down to the base of the falls. Of all 3 of the waterfalls in this circuit I would say that this one is the hardest to photograph due to the challenge in finding a clean composition.

 

—Elinjaa Falls

15m drop waterfall down a 200m path. This is by far my favorite of the 3. It is the least busy and I like how the waterfall is textured. There are many opportunities to move around with your camera trying to find a unique composition.

Watch on YouTube: Photographing 3 Amazing Waterfalls

Far North Queensland was on of my favorite regions to live in in all of Australia. It is so diverse and wild. There are so many places to explore and so many locations to photograph. The Cairns region should be on every landscape photographers list. If you visit, you will be sure to come away with several portfolio images.

The Grizzly Bear

There is an animal in the Rocky Mountains that defines wilderness. It is feared by most but sought by some. The animal that I speak of is the grizzly bear. I am one who will set out into the untouched wilderness with the hopes of being able to photograph such an awe inspiring animal. This is a tale of a very close grizzly encounter that I experienced.

Once common throughout many parts of the lower 48, the grizzly bear is now only located in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem up to Glacier National Park. The grizzly bear is a herbivore and rarely hunts. Rather it is a scavenger and will feast on already dead animals that have been killed by wolves or the harsh elements of the rocky mountain region. Highly misunderstood grizzly bears rarely actively hunt humans, and when they do kill a human it is mostly because of a mother protecting her young or a bear defending a meal.

The date was June 2nd 2021. I was working a summer season at Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park. After working my morning shift, I gathered all my gear and I set out alone to one of my secluded backcountry spots in search of wildlife to photograph. I am very accustomed to solo off trail hiking in the wilderness and am very knowledgable on how to handle animal encounters.

I parked my car at the usual pullout and I wandered up a forested hill about 2 miles then out into a large valley that a river runs through. I set up my camera nestled into a small patch of trees and waited for several hours in hopes of seeing some kind of wildlife. I saw nothing. I decided to pack up my gear and start to head back down to the car as the light was starting to fade and its best not to be in the trackless wilderness trying to find your way out after dark.

I started to hike down the hill making my way through the thick pine forest. About halfway down I heard a twig snap so I stopped and surveyed the area to see what caused the noise. As I looked to my right my body froze. About 20 feet away was a large grizzly staring me down through the thick vegetation. I slowly grabbed my bear spray and took off the safety ready for him to come charging, but he remained docile. We stared at each other for about five minutes and as I realized he did not seemed threatened by my presence I decided to slowly get my camera out of my bag and try to take a picture. The grizzly was showing no signs of aggression but rather curiosity with what I was and what I was doing in the woods where he dwelt. I was unable to get any good images due to lack of light and all the thick brush I had to shoot through so it was hard for me to find focus.

After about ten minutes of him staring at me he took no notice and went back to digging for roots to eat. Since he was a male without cubs and didn’t have a carcass nearby he was not at all threatened by me. I tried to sneak around for a better look and to get a better picture but due to it getting dark, and I lost sight of where he wandered to, I decided it was best to leave him be and head back to the car.

This was a very memorable experience and I was very lucky that I was not attacked being in such close proximity. It helped back up my opinion that bears are not bloodthirsty killers as they are sometimes perceived and as long as you give them no reason to be aggressive they with not harm you. With that being said great care should always be taken when traveling in bear country and you should always carry bear spray and keep 100 yards minimum distance between you and the bear when possible. This was an encounter I will never forget and was very fortunate to be able to have such an experience with such an amazing animal.

How I Make Money While Traveling

I have spent the past 3 years living nomadically and I have been fortunate enough to see many amazing places around the world. Though I definitely do not live glamorously, I am able to live comfortably. But of course, I need money to fund my travels so I have had to find work along the way. With a background in hospitality work is usually never too hard for me to find. I have worked in bars, restaurants, I have cleaned rooms in hostels in exchange for rent, and I have worked in very remote resorts. But as an American Citizen I am very limited to what countries I can obtain a visa that allows me to live and work in their select country. Actually, Australia and New Zealand being the only two. But before I get into traveling overseas I want to focus on my home country, The United States.

I spent several weeks in Nepal

I spent several weeks in Nepal




Being Nomadic in the USA

The United States has many opportunities for part time work. The USA also hosts some amazing National Parks. Most of these parks have restaurants, hotels and other services that regularly require seasonal workers. Most of these resorts also provide accommodation and meals (with a weekly reduction from your paycheck ). Room and board being provided is a great benefit. It gives you a nice stable place to stay for a few months and help save money for your next adventure. In my experience in working at some of these resorts they are usually always looking for people to hire and a lot of times their is the opportunity for overtime and extra hours if they are short on staff.

When I travel I try and stay away from big cities and try to find remote work in National Parks so I can spend my off days exploring and doing photography. I worked in Yellowstone National Park for 7 months working in a restaurant. This was such an amazing experience. I spent my off time taking pictures and exploring the park. I was able to save a good amount of money working so when my season was up I was able to go to Taiwan for a holiday.

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An Elk in front of the employee housing in Yellowstone

Remote resorts are great places to save money. Due to being remote, towns are usually miles away so impulse buying and going out all the time is not an option. And when the resort provides room and board it is usually at a cheaper rate than what you would pay to live in a city, so they money saved can just add up up. Not to mention the experience of remote living, though not for everyone, is an amazing experience within itself.

A great website to find remote work in the USA is coolworks.com. They post a lot of seasonal jobs for remote areas, National Parks and other resort type hotels. The jobs range from dishwashers to tour guides. The website breaks down jobs by state so I use it to see what is available in the locations I want to spend a season, then I apply and hope for the best.



Backpacking Australia

While Australia is very expensive to travel to, if you are under 30 years old, and don’t have any dependent children, you can apply for a working holiday visa (visa #462). The working holiday visa allows you to live and work in Australia for 1 year. The visa can be extended for up to 3 years if you complete the appropriate work. Acquiring a work visa for Australia is a great way to be able to see the country and also make money to help fund your travels. Australia always has a need for hospitality workers and the pay is very good. ( $22.50aud an hour for bar work). But cost of living is expensive so the high pay rate goes mostly to cost of food and living expenses. But you will still be able to live comfortably and save money as long as you don’t spend every night at the pub.

I arrived here in Australia over two years ago with barely any money. I spent 2 weeks looking for a job then finally found a full time job at a remote holiday resort in the Red Centre. I spent 6 months working there and was able to save enough money to buy a car and start road tripping around the country.

I eventually had to find work again and ended up getting a job in Albany by just going into a random bar and asking if there was any work available. The Australian job market is both dependent and accustomed to foreign workers so they are more than willing to hire a worker for just a few months time.

Another good advantage about living and working in Australia is that Asia is just a few hour plane ride away. You can work for several months in Australia and save money, then travel to Asia for as long as you can afford, then heard back to Australia to work and save more money. I was able to save money and do a 6 week trip to Malaysia, Thailand, India, and Nepal. Flights to Asian countries are relatively cheap from Australia. After I arrived back to Australia I hit the road again and traveled until i needed money and found more restaurant work in Far North Queensland (where I currently am located)

Road trip around Australia

Road trip around Australia


Conclusion

So the way that I have made money while traveling is to find seasonal or part time work in hospitality. Almost anyone can do what I have been doing and be able to have an experience of a lifetime.

The best place to see wild Koalas

Magnetic Island

AN Australian icon that is on every tourists list to see while in Australia is the koala. There is no better place in all of Australia to see wild koalas than on Magnetic Island. Magnetic Island is located on the north east coast of Queensland about 10km off the coast from the city of Townsville. The island is easily accessible on a ferry from Townsville. There are several small towns on the island with restaurants and accommodation. There is also a bus route and many places to rent small cars on the island so getting around in search of the koalas can be very easy.

The island holds a population of around 800 koalas. One of the largest koala populations in all of Australia. Koalas can sleep up to 21 hours a day. Being nocturnal they are mostly active at night. During the day they can be seen napping in the eucalyptus trees mainly on the eastern part of the island. Koalas diet consists mostly of eucalyptus leaves so be sure to know your flora so you know what trees to look for when searching for these animals.

Watch on YouTube: WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY | Koalas, Wallabies, and a Spider

The koalas are actually not native to magnetic island. They were introduced in the 1930s as a kind of backup population to protect them from threats on the mainland. With no predators and hunting not allowed the koalas flourished. Now the koalas are focused at ecotourism, and many people travel to the island just to see koalas in their natural habitat.

Watch on YouTube: WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY | Koalas

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Forts Trail on Magnetic Island

The Forts trail located on the northeastern part of the island and is the best spot to find wild koalas on the island. They can frequently be seen sleeping on the side of the trail high up in the trees. So make sure to be looking up as you take the 2 hour hike and you will almost be certain to see a koala. The hike goes up to an old WWII lookout tower providing excellent views of the island as well as some interesting history.

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I have done the hike several times and more often than not I have been able to find a koala or 2 with ease. A few times they have been high up in the trees so my long lens has bee very beneficial to help me photograph them. But sometimes they can be seen on the lower parts of trees.

Watch on YouTube: LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY | Forts Trail

If you ever find yourself in North East Queensland in the Townsville region Be sure to take a ferry to Magnetic Island and do the Forts walk to find some wild koalas.

Best Way to See Crocodiles in Australia

Prehistoric Reptile

When visiting Australia an animal that most people want to see is the crocodile. This prehistoric reptile both intrigues and terrifies visitors to the Island continent. There are 2 species of crocodiles in Australia: The fresh water and saltwater crocodile. The fresh water crocodile is more docile and smaller than the salt water crocodile. Saltwater crocodiles can grow up to 16 ft (4.9m) and have a reputation of being aggressive.

Crocodiles only inhabit Northern WA, NT and Northeastern Queensland. They frequent in rivers and occasionally can be spotted in the ocean. I have spent a good amount of time in croc country looking for them in their natural habitat with not much luck. I have walked rivers and sat for hours waiting for them to appear to get a photograph, but nothing.

Kakadu River Cruise

The best way I have found to view crocodiles in the wild is to take a river boat cruise. You have a better opportunity of viewing the animals by being able to cover more ground than walking. The tour boats travel the rivers frequently so the animals are used to the boats PRESENCE and won’t be scared off easily.

While in Kakadu I took a sunrise and sunset cruise on the Yellow Water. The 2 hour boat ride was a bit expensive for $99aud (hotel breakfast included) but the company I booked through had a deal for a 2 hour sunset cruise and a 2 hour sunrise cruise for $124aud so I decided to give it a go. It did not disappoint.

The boat ride starts by the Cooinda Lodge in Kakadu national park and went up the South Alligator River. The cruise was spectacular and not over touristic. The guide provided interesting information and was very knowledgeable about the land and wildlife.

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I arrived at the docks, had a good breakfast at the hotel then I boarded the boat before the sun broke the horizon. Within minutes of setting out we saw our first crocodile. I ended up seeing a total of about 15 crocs on both the sunset and sunrise cruises. the banks of the river was filled with wildlife. I saw many water buffalo and countless numbers of birds. For someone trying to take pictures of australian wildlife it doesn’t get much better than this.

I went at the end of October which is right before the wet season in the top end. This was a good time to see crocodiles due to the fact that the land isn’t flooded so the crocodiles are limited to how far they can move around.

The best way in my opinion to see crocodiles is to take a boat cruise in Far North Queensland Or the Top End of the Northern Territory. Many companies do such boat rides so be sure to do your research and read reviews before booking. But I guarantee it will be money well spent.

Read More: Kakadu: A Wildlife Photographers Paradise

3 Landscape Photography Tips

Finding Balance in Nature

Landscape photography is the art of photographing the natural landscape. Anyone can start taking pictures of landscapes around where they live with whatever camera they have at their disposal. While creating epic images is a skill that takes years and years to master, It is relatively easy to begin. Here are 3 tips that I have found to be very useful in improving on my photography.

  1. Subject

I believe the subject is one of the most important elements to landscape photography. If you have a stunning, awe inspiring location to photograph no matter what camera you use or what time of day it is the beauty of the location can still cause for a very interesting image.

Try to find unique locations with very interesting features; dramatic mountains, rolling hill, pristine lakes are just a few examples. Though not everyone has these natural features where they live, just getting out and exploring your local park or protected area you might just discover something of interest.

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-Taken with a point and shoot camera.

As you can see this image was shot in harsh mid day light, the image is not super sharp, and the composition was not well thought. But the subjects; of the mountains and flowers, hold a lot of interest making this an interesting (but not great) image.

2. Composition

Composition is a very important when it comes to landscapes. Having a pleasing background, middle ground and foreground are essential ingredients to a good image. The foreground should have interest and the middle ground should help blend the foreground to the background.

For a foreground look for something unique or something that stands out. Also be looking for Leading lines and “S” curves. Theses are good things to look for when finding a composition. These lines help to lead the eye through the image.

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Where the water meets the sand (Foreground) creates an “s” curve causing the viewers eye to be drawn to the waves (Middle ground) then to the cliffs and sky (Background).

3. Light

Light creates detail and mood. It adds color and drama to images. the best time to take landscapes is at sunrise or sunset. This is called “Golden Hour”. At these times the sky usually has color and The light is less harsh so there is not too much contrast between the highlights and shadows.

Its best to shoot at 90 degrees to the sun to avoid the highlights and shadows being blown out, meaning no detail can be recovered in post processing. Depending on the look you are trying to create shooting straight at the sun can also make some excellent images.

It is always tempting to take a picture when the sky is at its most dramatic. Usually this time is right before the sun rises or after it sets causing the sky to look stunning, but with no light in the foreground the image will be unbalanced. Wait until the sun rises or right before it goes down on the horizon, so there is sunshine on the foreground. this will make the image more balanced between the highlights and shadows.

post processing applications can be very useful in recovering shadows and highlights in an image to make it more balanced, but getting the picture correct in camera always makes for a better looking image.

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Shot at sunrise. While there is no color in the sky or foreground, the light on the mountains is quite dramatic.

Photography is a type of art and while the tips above are guidelines I, myself even occasionally break these rules. The best way to learn is to get out with your camera and try new things. Start by taking a lot of picture then view them on the computer and look at the images you like. Then ask yourself why you like those images. Photography like anything takes time to learn and master. The more you do it the more you will learn and the better the images will become.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park (USA)

A Park Less Traveled

Theodore Roosevelt National park is a lesser known park located in the badlands region of North Dakota. It contains large open prairies, miles of intriguing rock formations and even a petrified forest. The park is named after President Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt spent a lot of time in this area and cherished the vast and wildness of the badlands. The park is split into 3 sections; the North Unit, the South Unit, and Elkhorn Ranch. The southern unit is most popular due to being conveniently located off of interstate 94. There is a lookout that is at a rest stop with a marvelous view of the badlands.

Camping

In the northwest corner of the South Unit there is a wilderness area where camping anywhere is permitted. Those looking to hike among bison and set up camp on the open prairie or in the rocky hills look no further than TRNP. Permits for wilderness camping can be obtained at the south Unit visitors center.

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-Camping in the wilderness area.

While camping here (campsite above) i was awaken in the night by a bison. It couldn’t have been more than 2 yards away from my tent as I heard its deep breathing and its heavy footsteps pound the ground. I made sure to stay very still and quiet so as to not startle the massive creature and cause it to charge my tent with me inside. It eventually moved on and continued grazing.

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-No shortage of open country to explore


Wildlife

The wildlife is in abundance here. Most can be seen driving the loop road in the south unit. Feral horses (South unit only) and bison can frequently be seen. Other mammals that can be seen are elk, pronghorn, praire dogs and mule der. There are also several praire dog towns. Its very interesting watching the praire dogs bark and run around from one hole to another. Sometimes if you are lucky you can see a coyote hunting in the town.

Rattle Snakes are present in the park and especially around praire dog towns as the dogs are a source of food for the snakes. I haven’t encountered any in my hiking but care still should be taken to avoid getting bitten.

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-Lone prairie dog keeping watch for predators

The correct term to define the horses that live in TRNP is feral horses. The term “feral” is used because the horses are actually descendants of domesticated horses brought to North America in the 1500’s by the Spanish.

The horses typically stay in herds of 5-15 with a social hierarchy consisting of a dominant stallion, his mares, and their offspring.

I have seen many feral horses in the park and many while hiking as well. They can be dangerous and potentially charge if you get to close so keep your distance when viewing these animals.

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-Feral Horse


Landscape

Thought to be one of the largest petrified forests in the USA the petrified forest in TRNP does not disappoint. You can see many trees that have been turned to stone.

Open prairie and grassland can be explored on several good hiking trails dispersed throughout the North and South Units.

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-Petrified tree

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a great location to see wildlife and stunning landscapes. I think the south unit is a must see but if you have the time, a trip up to the North unit will definitely be worth while.

Watarrka National Park ( AUS )

6 Months in The Outback

14 April 20218 — 18 October 2018

When Outback Australia comes to mind most people think of a baron desert filled with snakes slithering and kangaroos hopping. This is a somewhat accurate description.

I worked at Kings Canyon Resort from April, 2018 to October 2018 during the Australian winter months. This was an experience I will not soon forget.

Kings Canyon is located in Watarrka National Park in the Red Centre of Australia. It is a 288km (179mile) drive from Ayers Rock (Uluru ). The nearest “big” town is Alice Springs which is a 443Km (276mi) drive. The resort is very remote with virtually no WIFI or cell reception. With such long drives a car is almost a necessity. And when you do make it in to town you must stock up on things you may need for the next few months.

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the empty desert I explored with Carmichaels Crag in the background.

Wildlife

On my days off I did a lot of hiking through the bush. I searched for wildlife with not much success. In the winter it barely rains. With this lack of rain there is virtually no water to be found. The animals will travel large distances to find water, and Watarrka National Parks was all dried up in the winter. In my 6 months there and my extensive hours hiking I only saw 4 red kangaroos and when I saw them they were hundreds of yards away and fleeing from me. Kangaroos are mostly nocturnal and come out at night to escape the heat of the day.

I did not see a single snake. On the contrary to popular beliefs, snakes don’t actually hibernate. They remain dormant underground during the cold but on a warm day they may venture above ground to soak up some sunlight. You are more likely to encounter a snake in a developed area rather than in the bush. This is because in the bush they can sense you coming and can easily escape. Snakes are not aggressive as most people think but rather defensive. Mostly all snakebites occur when people try to handle a snake or don’t give it space to retreat.

While I was there another employee did get bitten by a baby King Brown snake. The snake was on some wood he was moving and it fell on his foot and bit him out of defense. He was flown to Alice Springs, given anti-venom and was back at work within a week.

The most wildlife I encountered was birds. Crested pigeons, Ravens, and black tailed cockatoos were most commonly seen.. I also saw a lot of dingoes around the resort. The dingoes were very cheeky. They would walk into the restaurant and raid our trash cans. A few times a night I would have to chase a lone dingo away.

The flies were in the trillions in the red centre. they were uncountable. every day from sunrise to sunset they would swarm you. they would try to go in your mouth, nose, and ears. i would spend all day swatting flies. never have i seen so many flies. it was as if i was carrying a carcass on my back everywhere i went. i never got used to them and they never stopped to annoy me.

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Crested pigeon at sunset

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Dingo posing for me in the bush

Landscape

the landscape was baron, dry, and virtually empty. but it was also very beautiful, peaceful and untouched. i would frequently go out for hours and explore the bush. i would pack the necessary supplies and my compass and go exploring through the vast landscape. i never found anything of interest but i enjoyed hiking through the trackless wild of the bush.

through the winter months it barely rain. cloud cover is very scarce. the lack of clouds makes it very difficult for landscape photography as it leaves a lot if interest free space in the image. so whenever clouds were present i would always try to go out to take a picture.

Carmichaels Crag at sunset

  • Carmichaels Crag shot at 400mm

The most popular hike (and the main reason to visit Kings Canyon) is the rim walk. It is a 6km hike that takes you up 200 steps to the rim of the canyon. It is a very good walk that treats you with views of the vast desert below and the spectacular steep canyon walls. I have done the rim walk several times and even explored some of the smaller canyons off track.

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if you ever find yourself in the red centre of Australia i recommend a few day visit to kings canyon in Watarrka National Park.

I had to pay $120 to photograph wildlife

Getting too Close

I was in Yellowstone National Park spending the summer season working in Mammoth Hot Springs. It was October so I knew that the bighorn sheep should be in mating season. I did my research and some scouting and found a good location in hopes to see some Rams competing over ewes. I packed up my camera gear and headed to rescue creek trail head.

I followed the trail for about a mile then headed off trail to the south up the mountain. I came in luck and saw a herd of about 30 bighorns In the distance so I slowly began stalking them.

The herd was very docile and didn’t mind me getting close. I dint see any older rams but the opportunity to photograph such beautiful animals at such a close proximity was still an exciting experience.

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Young bighorn ram

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Some nice backlight. The sun did drop below the mountains well before dark so dramatic light was a bit lacaking.

I got within yards of the sheep moving my tripod and camera as I went. They stayed still and let me take pictures and seemed to be unbothered by my presence. I was able to capture a few decent images. When I was content I hiked down the mountain and headed for my car.

When I arrived back to my Vehicle there was a Park ranger waiting for me. He asked for my license and questioned me on what I was doing in Yellowstone. He proceeded to write me a $120 ticket for “harassing the wildlife. I argued a bit as I didn’t feel as though I was harassing the bighorns. He said that as I was walking around I made the animals move which is considered harassment.

I thought I was alone on Top of the mountain. But They were watching me with spotting scopes from the Gardiner ranger station about 5 miles away down the mountain.

so when you visit Yellowstone make sure to keep 25 yards distance from the wildlife or you can receive a fine. Also it is not good to bother the wildlife. I learned my lesson, You never know when the rangers will be watching.

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7 Months in Yellowstone

The First National Park

Yellowstone National Park was founded in 1872 by President Ulysses S. Grant. Though Yellowstone is considered to be the first National Park in the world, Yosemite was actually the first area protected from development in 1864. Yellowstone consists of 2.22 million acres most of which is wilderness.

There is no place like Yellowstone National Park. To hear the wolves howl at night and to live among the spectacular wildlife is an experienced unmatched.

I worked at a restaurant in the resort in Yellowstone. This was an amazing way to be able to experience what the park has to offer. I was able to spend my afternoons and days off exploring the backcountry and photographing the local landscapes and wildlife.

I started to work in Yellowstone in April2017. The weather was still very frigid and snow still covered the ground. This was a great time to be in the park due to low number of visitors so wildlife could be more frequently seen along the roadways. On my first day after I was all settled in my dorm room I immediately set out on a drive to try and find some animals to photograph. I was very lucky to come across a carcass about 200 yards from the road so i was able to observe from the comfort of my car (Also using my car as a blind). Unfortunately the 200yds was a bit of a reach for my 150-600mm lens, but it was still great to be able to witness such a scene.

Coyote eating a bison carcass.

Coyote eating a bison carcass.

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

As the months went by I explored more and more. I would park at a turn off and just hike into the backcountry. I was very fortunate to be able to see an excessive amount of wildlife and scenery. In my 7 months from April to November the only months it did not snow was in July and August. This was partly due to being at a high elevation. The snow was very convenient for tracking animals and being able to see where animals frequent so I could set up my camera and wait. I would wait for hours at a time at different locations trying to photograph wildlife. Most times I would not see a thing and other times I would see some wildlife but I was unable to get an exceptional image.

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Tracking bears through the backcountry.

Hiking alone is not advised in Yellowstone but I was always very vigilant and always carried my bear spray.

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The above image of a grizzly is one of my favorites from my time in Yellowstone. Though it is not an exceptional image it was a great experience to witness such an amazing animal at a close distance. I was driving from Lake Village to Hayden Valley when I spotted this bear from my car at about 100 yards away. I pulled over and got out my tripod and camera. I immediately started to take pictures. He was far away and somewhat in the trees so i wasn’t getting good results. Then all of the sudden he changed direction and started walking towards me across the open field. I was so excited and took hundreds of pictures with him coming straight towards me. He kept coming closer and closer, straight towards me. I then realized he was coming straight at me from about 30 yards away! I decided to slowly make my way back to the safety of my car. The bear ended up passing behind my car and disappeared into the forest behind me.

Grand Prismatic

Grand Prismatic

The land in Yellowstone always appears to be on fire

The land in Yellowstone always appears to be on fire

Yellowstone is located on a huge super volcano that is said to be years overdue from erupting. If the volcano erupts the whole world is said to feel its effect. This causes the multiple geysers and hot springs found throughout the park. Half of the worlds geysers are located in Yellowstone. These thermal features make very interesting and unique subjects for photography.

Working at Yellowstone was an experience that I will never forget. Though the work was not always pleasant the opportunity to live in such an amazing place was worth it. I cannot recommend enough to spend a summer season there working and exploring the great Yellowstone wilderness.

Where's the wildlife | Bison

American Bison

(Bison bison)

Introduction :

The American bison once roamed most of North America but it was almost Hunted to extinction in the United States. Yellowstone National Park is the only place in the US where bison were not completely eliminated in the late 1800’s. Since then bison have been reintroduced to several parks in the US.


Habitat :

Bison frequent plains, open grasslands, and prairies in select National Parks and reserves.

Signs :

Bison tracks and scat are pretty unmistakable. The huge '“pie” like scat is in a circular shape around 12 inches in diameter. The scat and hoof prints can resemble cows but currently where wild bison are there is a slim chance cattle will be present in the area.

Precautions :

Bison can be very dangerous if disturbed or if they feel threatened. it is very important to keep a safe distance when photographing these animals as they can be unpredictable. they may seem slow but can charge at a moments notice.

-Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

 

Yellowstone is the first place that comes to mind when you think of bison. The population in Yellowstone is around 5,000. They can frequently be seen on the side of the road as you drive through the park.

The best spots to see larger herds are at Hayden Valley and Lamar valley.

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-Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota (South Unit)

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There are approximately 400 bison in Theodore roosevelt national park. They can be frequently seen from the road. The badlands create a great opportunity to get an interesting background for the bison subject.

larger herds also frequent at the big plateau wilderness area. This are is accessed from a Road on the west side of the park. Take I-94 west then take exit 23 and head north 6.2 miles on a well maintained dirt road. If you hike in the south petrified forest trail until you reach the grassland you can sometimes see a larger herd of bison. This is also a great hike where you can see a petrified forest.

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-Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota

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One of the lesser know national parks but one of my favorite is Wind cave national park. The park has a herd of about 400 bison. TheSE bison are considered to be one of the few genetically pure herds in the US.

Again driving down the road is a great way to view theSe animals. Using your car as a blind you should be able to come away with some good images.

There is a good campground at the park so you can camp and get up early for sunrise and stay out late for sunset.

The park borders Custer state park wich also has a bison population.

5 Wildlife Photography Tips

Here are 5 tips that I have found to be very useful while photographing wildlife. Some of these will be very obvious but I hope you can come away with some valuable information.



1. Get up early / Stay out late

The best light is indeed in the golden hour. About an hour after sunset and an hour before sunrise. Also animals are more active during this time of day so the chances of seeing wildlife increases.

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Taken right after sunrise. The light is much better than harsh daytime light.

2. Use a blind / hide

Staying hidden from wildlife is crucial in order to capture natural behavior. When people are present animals act differently. When you can watch the wildlife unseen you can come away with some very unique photographs of interesting behaviors. A great, and somewhat unthought of blind is a car. Driving around roads in a national park and shooting out the window of the vehicle can be very beneficial. Animals that live in frequently visited areas are used to seeing cars so they will pay no attention when you park to photograph them. Other options can be to use a hunting pop up tent or lens coat has a special made photography hide that works very well.

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I sat for hours in my blind in order to capture this coyote hunting.

3. Patience

Patience is a necessity when it comes to wildlife photography. Wildlife photography is not as exciting as it is sometimes made out to be. You must spend a lot of time out in the field waiting and watching for the perfect moment. I have spent weeks going out to photograph animals only to come back without taking a single picture or coming back with a terrible image. You must be persistent and never give up or you may never get good results.

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I spent 6 months working (hospitality) in the Red Centre of Australia. I went into the bush on almost every one of my days off trying to find dingos/kangaroos to photograph. This is one of the '“better” images I was able to capture.

4. Know your subject

It is very beneficial to know animal habitats and behaviors. Knowing what they like to eat and at what times of the day they are active can help you find a location to set up your tripod and big lens and wait. Tracking is also a very good skill to know. You can identify which kind of animals are in the area and also tell how long ago they have been present in an area. I use tracking a lot to tell where animals frequent. Game trails are great to wait by to see what kind of animals come along.


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I set up next to a game trail knowing that deer frequent in the area due to an excessive amount of tracks.

5. Eye level

You will get better results by photographing at eye level. When you are looking down at a subject it makes the image look a bit unnatural. in exception to this, If you shoot far away with a long lens then the subject can appear to be at eye level even if you are above or below your subject.

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This cockatoo was high up in a tree. Since i was far away shooting at 550mm the bird appears to be somewhat at eye level.

The mountain lion

An Unexpected Encounter

After several trips to the Rocky Mountain states with my point and shoot camera I finally decided to buy a DSLR. I bought a Nikon D3300 with the 2 kit lenses. I only had the D3300 for a week before I was heading on a trip again. I barely knew how to use it but I was excited to see what results I could get from my new camera. I loaded up my camping gear and new camera and I headed out for a week in Colorado. I have always had an interest in wildlife so I decided that was what I wanted to mainly try and photograph on this trip.

I drove all around Colorado exploring and taking pictures of everything at all times of the day. I knew of the golden hour time but I did not fully appreciate the significance of shooting during this time to get great images.

I arrived in Great Sand Dunes National Park and decided to camp for 2 nights. Around noon on my second day I went hiking on a trail near the campground. I was trying to find some wildlife. About a mile in I came to a small valley and made my way off trail about 300 yards up the valley. I sat at a terrible location on top the valley looking down at the small river. I was inexperienced and didn’t know that at eye level with the wildlife I could get the best results.

I unnecessarily set my camera up on my $20 tripod and began to wait to see what would pass by. I waited for around 15 minutes then I heard something moving through the bushes below. I was filled with excitement, for I thought it may be a mule deer or an elk. It was neither. As I looked through my viewfinder I saw just the back of an animal and I immediately knew what it was. It was a mountain lion.

I frantically began taking as many pictures as I could. I only had the 55-200mm kit lens at the time so at about 30 yards the pictures were not turning out too good. I then noticed the cougar was looking straight at me and it started to hunch down. It looked as if it was going to start sprinting right towards me at any second. I felt a bit uneasy so I jumped up and stared it straight in the eyes so it knew that I knew where it was and that it couldn’t surprise me. It sat among the trees for a few minutes just staring at me. I began to feel a bit more comfortable with the situation so I looked over and grabbed my camera. I looked back at the spot where the cougar was and it was gone. I saw no trace of it and heard no noise. I was a little bit spooked so I packed up my gear and hastily hiked back to the campground. As I walked back I frequently kept turning around and tried to stay on high ground just incase the mountain lion was stalking me. Needless to say I made it back to camp safe and sound.

After this encounter I checked the photos I took and I was disappointed. They were not sharp and I had to severely crop and edit them to make the mountain lion more visible in the image. Seeing one of these wild cats in their natural habitat was a very special encounter. They are rarely seen in the wild. I was very fortunate to be able to photograph this animal even though the images are well below good quality.

This event really got me even more into photography. I ended up buying a 150-600mm lens a few months later so if an opportunity like this arouse again I would be able to come away with a better image.

In wildlife photography you never know what to expect. More times then not you can wait for hours and days and not take a single photograph. Some days you can get lucky. Some days you can come across a spectacular subject but the perfect image just slips away.

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The images i took of the mOuntain lion.