Summary

The author is an avid wildlife enthusiast whose vacations are increasingly planned around opportunities to observe and photograph animals in their natural habitats, leading to a desire to upgrade to a quieter, mirrorless camera for a more immersive and less disruptive experience.

Abstract

The author's travel experiences have become increasingly focused on wildlife observation, a passion that has grown stronger over the years. This focus has influenced the author's choice of destinations, with Costa Rica and Yellowstone being recent highlights. The author's interest in wildlife has also led to a consideration of purchasing a new, quieter camera, specifically a mirrorless model, after being inspired by a guide's equipment in Costa Rica. The author values the ability to photograph animals without disturbing them and is keen on enhancing this aspect of their wildlife photography. Despite the family's initial lack of enthusiasm for wildlife-centric activities, the author finds great joy and fulfillment in these encounters, which has prompted research into future travel destinations that offer rich wildlife experiences, such as Norway, where the author dreams of photographing polar bears, puffins, and wolves.

Opinions

The author believes that a mirrorless camera is essential for quiet, unobtrusive wildlife photography.
There is a strong personal conviction that witnessing wildlife in its natural habitat is a fascinating and joyful experience that should be shared with family, even if they do not initially share the same level of enthusiasm.
The author values the quality of wildlife encounters over the quantity, as evidenced by their appreciation for the silent operation of the guide's camera and the subsequent desire to acquire similar equipment.
The author is willing to invest in both a new camera and educational classes to pursue their passion for wildlife photography.
The author perceives wildlife as a central element of their travel experiences, often prioritizing destinations based on the opportunity to see specific animals in the wild.
The author is inspired by other travelers' experiences with wildlife, as indicated by the mention of articles by Scott-Ryan Abt and Joel R. Dennstedt.

I Am Noticing a Trend: My Vacations are Becoming Centered Around Wildlife

I don’t want to disturb the wildlife

This picture was taken by our guide while ziplining in Costa Rica. Purchased by author

Yesterday I was browsing new cameras. Over the years, I’ve had a few DSLR cameras. I’ve upgraded a few times but never thought about looking into other cameras.

But, when we were in Costa Rica and our guide was using and raving about his Nikon mirrorless, I became instantly intrigued. Especially the next day when I had to stop taking pictures when we got close to wildlife so that I wouldn’t disturb them.

My DSLR is not quiet. Well, not quiet enough for my wildlife encounters. Our guide the previous day could snap away in silence and his pictures were incredible.

His picture looks a lot different than mine which I am about to share. Maybe you won’t really notice but I do.

For the past few years, the pull to see wild animals keeps getting stronger. I search online, learn about the animals, and find out where I can see them. Because my family doesn’t want to go to Africa yet, I immediately check destinations that we agreed upon to see what kind of wildlife I can see there.

Is that bonkers?

Oftentimes I think, “Why aren’t they as excited as I am to see animals out in the wild?” I mean, who wouldn’t? Animals are fascinating to see.

Costa Rica was a perfect trip for everyone in my family. We all love different things but agree on a lot. Everyone loves the beach, and we all had fun riding around in a golf cart, ziplining, hiking, and swimming in waterfalls. So, since they all had the time of their lives doing those things, I found it completely acceptable to do some monkey chasing.

Not really chasing but I needed to find some to watch in the trees.

Thankfully, we were blessed on our zipline tour and saw these gorgeous creatures.

The other monkey we saw ziplining. Photo taken by our guide and purchased by author

I dragged them along on a safari boat tour that would quietly wade through the mangroves. Everyone thought it was pretty boring but I loved it. We saw some crocodiles, beautiful birds, butterflies, iguanas, a raccoon, and some monkeys.

It was an hour well spent for me. They could have skipped it.

Crocodiles in Costa Rica — Photo by author

Raccoon and a blue heron in Costa Rica — Photo by author

Iguana and crab in Costa Rica — photo by author

And, here is my monkey shot with my DSLR. Good thing I was like a kid in a candy store anyway, listening to them howl about.

Howler monkeys in the treetops — Photo by author

I’ve even messed with the settings and lightened up this photo a bit.

See? I need a mirrorless. I am convinced.

I even made my family circle around in the golf cart a few times to see the cows. My kids laughed at me, too. “They are just cows, Mom!” No, they are Brahman cows and they don’t look the same as our cows.

My husband agreed to go to Yellowstone earlier this year because he was very interested in seeing all of the sights. The geysers, waterfalls, mudpots, and hot springs, and while I loved seeing all of those things, too, the best part was certainly the abundance of wildlife.

Bison all over Yellowstone — Photo by author

Since I have been so blessed to view many animals in the past few years and I love photographing them, I think I need a new camera. It’s expensive and an investment but how am I going to be a wildlife photographer without this masterpiece of a camera?

I have a saving plan in place and have already invested time into finding classes. It has me all jazzed up. This new hobby makes me feel happy and alive. That’s what life is about. Finding joy in the things that you like to do.

So here I am, looking at travel destinations for next year. I have a list of 20 places that my family and I talk about together.

My husband votes for a Scandinavian country. He doesn’t care which one because they all look appealing to him.

What’s the first thing that I do?

Google: Wildlife in Norway. Wildlife in Sweden. What about wildlife in Denmark?

Norway is looking pretty good although it is huge and I would have to figure out the logistics between the sites the family wants to see and the animals I want to see.

I think Norway would remind me a little of Canada because of the beauty and the animals. A perfect mixture of two things I love seeing on vacation.

These animals could sense that I wanted to stop and say hello — Photo by author

The ultimate goal would be to get to the north of Norway to see the polar bears. Polar bears, puffins, and wolves. That would make my trip a 10/10.

Can you imagine seeing a polar bear on an iceberg?

I can…

I am dreaming…

Scott-Ryan Abt sounds more like my family. He wouldn’t plan a trip around animals but he goes on an African safari and by the end, he might just be into animals after all.

Safari is the Kiswahili Word for Travel

When you are living in East Africa, the opportunities to see wildlife are limitless.

medium.com

Joel R. Dennstedt spent 7.5 years searching for wild animals with his photographer brother. He shares some great information and beautiful pictures of so many different animals. I am in awe!

All The Wildlife In The World

A travel story

medium.com