This must-watch episode features Ron Hayes, joined by special guest Stu Sharpe, as he shares his trip to the Great Bear Rainforest.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Life Changes

03:00 The Spirit Bear Trip Begins

05:58 Travel Experiences and Encounters

09:02 Meeting New Friends and Guides

12:01 First Encounters with Spirit Bears

15:01 Photography Challenges and Triumphs

18:00 Reflections on Wildlife Photography

21:02 Stu's Photography Journey

23:55 Travel Adventures and Future Plans

28:57 Adventures in the Arctic: A Journey with Bears

31:36 Military Background and Transition to Ecotourism

33:07 Wildlife Encounters: Wolves and Bears

36:02 The Art of Wildlife Photography

43:16 Ecological Education and Cultural Insights

48:20 Weather Challenges and Their Impact on Wildlife

54:30 Gear Challenges in the Wild

55:35 Gear Challenges in the Rainforest

56:51 Whale Encounters and Nature's Spectacle

01:00:07 Bear Sightings and Wildlife Photography

01:03:33 Learning Through Experience in Nature

01:07:35 Memorable Outdoor Experiences and Bear Encounters

01:11:49 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Links

Pictureline: https://www.pictureline.com

Canon USA: https://www.usa.canon.com

Instagram: @Stu_Sharpe, @rovingwild.photos

Expeditions: https://www.timirvin.com/tours-expeditions/

Thanks for tuning in to the Beyond the Wild Podcast. Don't forget to subscribe to stay notified about upcoming episodes for your listening and viewing pleasure! Beyond the Wild Podcast is sponsored by Pictureline.com and Canon USA.

Ron Hayes, Mark Raycroft, and Jason catch up after recent field trips and trade stories from the Great Bear Rainforest and elk rut. The conversation mixes wildlife photography lessons, travel mishaps, and practical field advice, with a strong focus on staying safe, staying dry, and making the most of unpredictable conditions. We discuss the realities of photographing in wet, remote, and high-pressure wildlife settings, from border crossings and gear choices to bear, elk, and caribou encounters. We also share a few memorable near-misses, some hard-earned travel tips, and a lot of appreciation for how these trips reset your head. 00:00 - Reeling from recent field trips and catching up after time apart 02:20 - Upload issues, remote recording, and swapping image stories 03:28 - Jason’s rough drive home and the safety problem of fatigue 04:38 - Border crossing trouble and a half-hour vehicle search 06:25 - First close elk charge and the lesson about distance 08:39 - How the elk encounter unfolded in slow motion 10:12 - Mark’s field-safety read on animal behavior and evasive awareness 12:15 - Switching to the Great Bear Rainforest and rain gear failures 14:19 - Just how wet the rainforest really was 15:18 - The Great Bear Rainforest as a living ecology classroom 17:35 - Maggots, carcasses, nutrient cycling, and forest regeneration 18:55 - Why waterproof bags and batteries need better protection 20:37 - Drying out wet camera lenses with rice and a ziplock bag 22:09 - A strange sound in the alders on the caribou hike 24:50 - Travel tip: never set gear down and walk away 27:37 - Jason’s elk-country packing lesson and overloading the car 32:10 - Handheld bear-fishing video and stabilizing with body position 35:30 - Why the 100 to 300 mm lens became the hero lens 36:37 - Controlling breathing for video and audio while filming 39:07 - ISO choices in the rainforest and what software changes now allow 43:22 - Trying intentional motion blur on birds in flight 48:42 - Weather, fog, and nearly getting turned around at Prince Rupert 51:05 - A wolf running the runway and how wild it gets near town 54:12 - Upcoming travel, more trips, and the mental reset of the field 58:24 - Ron’s move to northwestern Wyoming and closer access to Yellowstone 60:07 - New grandbaby Callum and family updates 61:00 - Halloween episode ideas and spooky stories to save for later 62:17 - Gary Kramer’s new bird migration book and an upcoming episode 66:21 - Closing thanks, sponsor shoutouts, and what is coming next Links Pictureline: https://www.pictureline.com Canon USA: https://www.usa.canon.com Thanks for tuning in to the Beyond the Wild Podcast. Don't forget to subscribe to stay notified about upcoming episodes for your listening and viewing pleasure! Beyond the Wild Podcast is sponsored by Pictureline.com and Canon USA.

In this episode of Beyond the Wild Podcast, hosts Ron Hayes and Jason Loftus join Vern and Amy Sharp to discuss their recent experiences at Bear Camp in Alaska. The conversation covers the excitement of the wilderness, the challenges of the weather, and the unforgettable moments of encountering bears in their natural habitat. The guests discuss the joy of witnessing wildlife, the challenges of capturing the perfect shot, and the importance of group dynamics in creating a positive experience.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage

03:01 Experiences at Bear Camp

05:51 Weather Challenges and Camp Life

09:03 First Encounters with Bears

12:05 Reflections on the Experience

12:43 The Joy of Wildlife Encounters

14:47 Observing Bear Behavior

17:57 Capturing the Perfect Shot

22:07 Memorable Moments in Nature

26:03 The Impact of Weather on Photography

29:57 The Importance of Group Dynamics

34:01 Learning from Each Other

39:57 Building Connections Through Photography

41:32 The Value of Mentorship in Photography

42:00 Taking the Leap: Investing in Adventure

50:12 Memorable Outdoor Experiences: Stories from the Field

56:03 The Thrill of the Chase: Capturing Wild Horses

01:00:13 The Joy of Adventure: Inside Jokes and Lasting Memories

01:01:44 Connecting Through Social Media: Sharing the Journey

Links

Pictureline: https://www.pictureline.com

Canon USA: https://www.usa.canon.com

Amy’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amelya_3

Vern’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vagabondvern1

Thanks for tuning in to the Beyond the Wild Podcast. Don't forget to subscribe to stay notified about upcoming episodes for your listening and viewing pleasure! Beyond the Wild Podcast is sponsored by Pictureline.com and Canon USA.