Peggy Farren interviews nature and wildlife photographer John Slonina. John gives us tips on where to be in the U.S. throughout the year for the best pictures. Thanks for tuning into episode #75 of The Understand Photography Show!
The show is now available as a podcast on iTunes!! Please do us a HUGE favor and leave us a rating and review! We are trying to reach more photography enthusiasts on iTunes. Your help makes a huge difference!
To hear this episode as a podcast on Soundcloud, click here:
http://www.soundcloud.com/understandphotography
Understand Photography General Notes
https://understandphotography.leadpages.co/4-weeks-photography-education-video/
Upcoming Trips:
Florida’s Forgotton Coast - Apalachicola area April 16-20, 2018 - sign up for the waiting list!
Women’s Photography Weekend Naples May 4-6, 2018
“My passion is not only photography, but showing people nature. It thrills me every time.”
Great Nature Hotspots
Winter
Florida
Big Cypress - Loop Road, Wagon Wheel Road, Jane’s Scenic Drive, Shark
Valley
Lots of opportunities for landscape and sky, reflections
Likes to blend animals with their environment instead of keeping full frame on
animals
Landscapes can change dramatically based on water level
Anhinga Trail, Flamingo - osprey nests, manatees, saltwater crocoldiles
Yellowstone
Wolves, Bison, snowy landscapes
Arches, Bryce and Zion National Parks in Utah - snow dusted rock formations can be
spectacular
Delaware/Maryland/Virginia coastine - wild horses of Chincoteague/Assateague islands,
snow geese migration, off-season means no crowds
“The best times to visit America’s National Parks are in the shoulder seasons. Fall and spring have fewer tourists and usually better weather.”
Spring
March - best time to view aurora borealis in Alaska
Fairbanks - 80% chance of seeing northern lights in a 3 day stay
The farther north you are, the greater the chance of a spectacular display.
The lights could also be seen in September, although there is a much higher
chance of cloud cover.
April - Smoky Mountains: “Photographer’s Month”
Snowmelt creates spectacular waterfalls, wildflowers begin to bloom, black bears
emerge from dens with cubs
May - Southwest: Utah, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons - not too hot or snowy, fewer
tourists, waterfalls, rapids, wildflowers, animal babies
“There’s always a new place to visit right here in the United States.”
Summer
June/July - Acadia National Park, Maine
Incredible ocean landscapes, Cadillac Mountain, moose, lighthouses
*favorite spot: Ocean Drive - path runs parallel to the ocean
Lubec, Maine - whale watches, puffins, out of the tourist loop
Moosehead Lake
*inland Maine in June is black fly season*
Race Point/Cape Cod - whale watches and seals
Mt. Ranier and Glacier National Park are better in summer - fewer road closures
due to snow
August - Alaska - coastal grizzlies, brown bears
Katmai National Park, Anchorage - great boat tours, marine mammal tours,
orcas, puffins
Autumn
Fall colors, rut makes some of the animals more active, thicker fur coats
September - Grand Tetons, side trips to ghost towns, prairie dogs
October - New England/East coast for foliage
early October: Northern Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire
mid-October: coastal northeast
late October: Smoky Mountains
November - great time to visit Arizona and Utah: Arches, Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon
“Creating a great photo tour takes years of research. If I lead a tour, I know the wildlife, the landscapes, and the logistics.”
Finding John
website: SPhotography.com
Facebook: John Slonina