Logistics

I love my life on the road. I get giddy when I pull into a new area and just look around at all the beauty. It has been over a year and that feeling has not changed one bit. The only thing I don’t like are the logistics. The planning. I am a good planner. If you want me to plan a two week vacation, I’m on it. I will do the research, provide the details and even make an itinerary. That’s what I did when I travelled to Alaska with a friend several years ago. We discussed the things we wanted to do and see. I made a basic itinerary and then when everything was booked, I made a final itinerary. I even added additional information on the history and wildlife we might see on the trip. I loved doing it and learned so much before our trip. Now I live on the road and every day is travel to some extent and I hate all the planning ahead of time. I’m in an absolutely beautiful location. I’m supposed to be here a week but it is so nice I want to stay longer. You see, that’s the thing, I kind of want to travel at will. Unfortunately, that isn’t really feasible. This lifestyle takes some planning and frankly, I’m over it.

I mean look at this view, who would ever want to leave here. So now I’m looking for a volunteer to help me with logistics because I’m too poor to pay someone. Maybe Scout my dog can help.

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Keep exploring,

Wendy

Not today.

Like most photographers I’m slightly obsessed with the weather. I check the weather and radar several times a day. I review wind speeds and directions. I have an app to follow the pressure. All in an effort to find and photograph wildlife. I’m generally looking a few days in advance in an effort to plan my shooting but every night before I go to sleep I check the next days forecast. Of course I did this routine last night before setting an alarm. The forecast was for rain. Not just a possibility of rain but a 90% chance of rain overnight and in the early morning. Now rain is not a deal breaker for photography. I have rain gear for myself and my equipment. You can get some unique photos since most people avoid the rain but I just wasn’t feeling it last night so I didn’t set an alarm. I decided to let the chips fall where they may and get up when I woke up. Now I always have the highest hopes for days I decide to sleep in. Staying in bed until 7 or 8 sounds like heaven. I also have a dog, an adorable dog who I adore. He can also be a giant PITA. This morning he decided that 5:30 was late enough for me to sleep. So despite my best intentions, I didn’t get to sleep in. Now, it wouldn’t have been ideal but I could have still headed out to shoot some photos but alas, it was raining and I just said to myself “not today”. There is nothing wrong with doing nothing for a day. I haven’t been sleeping well and I woke up in a bit of pain in my neck and shoulder. What caused the pain, I have no idea. I probably slept wrong combined with some unusual humidity in the area. I’m not worried about it, I’m confident it will subside in a day or two. So, today I did nothing, just hung out with my dog Scout (who napped all day) and relaxed. I have tomorrow to go out and explore.

For more content from me check out my Substack at macturkphotos.substack.com, Instagram at instagram.com/macturkphotos or Facebook at facebook.com/wendy.macturk

Keep exploring,

Wendy

Big Sky Country

Montana. Big Sky Country.

This is my first trip to this part of the country. What a sight.

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Keep exploring,

Wendy

Photo of the Week

Here it is….

I call this “The King and His Court”. Taken in Badlands National Park this year. I love how these birds just hitched a ride on the back of this bison.

Bear Country

If you read my June newsletter (if not sign up below or subscribe to my Substack), I mentioned I was preparing to camp in “bear country.” It occurred to me later that I should probably give a little more explanation on what that means. This will be my first time camping in what is considered bear country. I travelled to bear areas while I was in Alaska, but didn’t need to camp. There are some rules one needs to follow when camping in these areas to keep themselves and the bears safe. Encounters are rare and preventable with good habits.

First, you want to chose the correct campsite. The first few days after I arrive I will be in a campground. I wanted the opportunity to scope out some potential off-grid sites before leaving the campgrounds. What makes a good campsite? Basically, avoid things bears like and/or where bears are hanging out. Avoid camping on game trails or along streams that bears frequent. Avoid camping in areas with food sources like berries and dead carcasses. Lastly, avoid areas with poor visibility due to trees and brush. All logical things.

Now that you have the perfect site, what do you do? Basically, keep your campsite as clean as possible. Never leave out food (human or pet), trash, coolers, and even cooking grease. Never leave food unattended while cooking and clean up when you are done. Bears are attracted to ALL scented items, this includes toothpaste, deodorant, lotion, sunscreen, chapstick, etc. If you are camping in a tent, all this stuff along with your food should be kept in a bear locker or a bear resistant container. Your cooking area should be set up at least 100 feet from where you are sleeping whether that is a tent or a camper. Your goal is to never feed a bear or any wildlife for that matter even unintentionally. Your never want bears or other wildlife to associate people with food. It is dangerous for both the people and wildlife.

Now when you go out hiking, you need to pay attention. That means no headphones. They recommend you make noise so that the bear is aware of your presence so that they can leave if they choose. You should also carry bear spray and have it at the ready. That means not buried in your back pack. I picked up my bear spray and I’m ready to hit the trails to find some bears to photograph along with many other species. Am I scared? No, I picked the bear over man (IYKYK) but I will be aware of my surroundings at all times both for me and the bear.

For more content from me check out my Substack at macturkphotos.substack.com, Instagram at instagram.com/macturkphotos or Facebook at facebook.com/wendy.macturk

Keep exploring,

Wendy

My last day at the Badlands

Last night I had the pleasure to photograph some burrowing owls for about 45 minutes. As I was driving back to my campsite, a rainbow popped up. I hope you like this picture.

For more content from me check out my Substack at macturkphotos.substack.com, Instagram at instagram.com/macturkphotos or Facebook at facebook.com/wendy.macturk

Keep exploring,

Wendy

Apologies for the radio silence

What a week it has been. My father was in the area from Florida on a tour. I was looking forward to spending some time with him. I didn’t know I was going to get to spend more time than anticipated. He had a minor medical emergency, necessitating a hospital stay for a few days. The good news is I was in the area and was able to assist with his medical needs. The better news is that he is fine and has returned to Florida via plane. If there was a silver lining, I got to spend extra time with him and showing him around the area after he was discharged and before he flew home. Nonetheless, it was a whirlwind of a week.

Me and my Dad

The monthly newsletter will go out tomorrow, probably late in the day as I will be traveling. I hope everyone is having a great week.

For more content from me check out my Substack at macturkphotos.substack.com, Instagram at instagram.com/macturkphotos or Facebook at facebook.com/wendy.macturk

Keep exploring,

Wendy

Could this be the one?

No, I don’t think this is the one but it is a cool picture.

This is so close. It is really what I imagined a few weeks ago when this idea popped into my head. The bison was very nice to pick up its head and turn slightly towards me. The landscape is fantastic. I love the formations in the badlands and the prairie grasses in the foreground. I don’t really like the angle of the foreground but it’s not an image killer. I thought this was it when I took the photo but now I’m not sure. I guess the quest continues.

For more content from me check out my Substack at macturkphotos.substack.com, Instagram at instagram.com/macturkphotos or Facebook at facebook.com/wendy.macturk

Keep exploring,

Wendy

The quest is on…..

I went through some of my pictures from last week, looking for the perfect bison in landscape picture. The prior pictures you saw just didn’t have it. I mean they were not even close. I’m happy to report, I’m getting closer. The light was good, the background was good but the pose, I’m not sure.

This is just not it. It’s a beautiful picture. Much better than the prior attempts but I think it needs something more. What to you think?

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Keep exploring,

Wendy

Photo of the Week

Without further ado…….

This is one of the incredibly beautiful horses from the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary. If you look closely, you will notice the tattoo on the neck. This is applied by the Bureau of Land Management after a horse has been removed from its native lands. I stand with the horses. They should remain in the wild.

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Keep exploring,

Wendy

Sunrise

What a beautiful morning it was. I was out in the field early.

I had the chance to see several bison (the quest continues) and a burrowing owl. Now I’ve been in the presence of burrowing owls before but this one decided to hang out with me for quite some time. It was an honor.

The quest began a long time ago

The quest for that perfect bison picture actually began a few years ago before I even knew what I was looking for in my mind.

I took this photo a couple of years ago on my first trip to Badlands National Park. I was in complete awe (still am) of the landscape and the bison. After all, it was my first time seeing a bison much less one that close. The idea of the perfect picture hadn’t even entered my conscious mind. Without even thinking about it, I took this picture. This is better than the previous picture but not exactly what I’m looking for now. Now that I have a clearer picture of what I want, I can see this isn’t quite it. Alas, the quest continues.

For more content from me check out my Substack at macturkphotos.substack.com, Instagram at instagram.com/macturkphotos or Facebook at facebook.com/wendy.macturk

Keep exploring,

Wendy

The quest for the perfect picture.

For the last four weeks, I’ve been traveling around the Dakotas. It is a beautiful part of the country. In my travels, I’ve seen some amazing and unique landscape. I often pull over and get out of the truck just to admire the view. Now I don’t consider myself a landscape photographer. I just don’t think I’m very good at it but I have great respect for nature and landscapes. While I was driving through Theodore Roosevelt National Park, I pulled over just to look out over a beautiful landscape. I looked over a green valley with a somewhat dry river flowing through it. There were trees and rock formations in the background. It was simply breathtaking. In the distance there were about a dozen bison. They were quite some distance from me and looked a bit like brown blobs until I looked through my binoculars.

As I was standing there, a photo popped into my head. The photo would showcase the beauty of the badlands landscape along with one of its most enduring figures, a bison. So for the last month, I’ve been on this quest to create the perfect photo. It hasn’t happened yet but I’m not giving up. Actually, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the quest. Wildlife is unpredictable. No matter how many times I ask the bison to move a little to the right or left, pick up their heads or pause, they just have not cooperated.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

In this picture, I love the pose of the bison but frankly the landscape is just boring and the light is too harsh for my taste. I was in Badlands National Park a few days for sunset. It took a little time for me to find the bison. I was feeling lucky. I found them with a background I loved. This might be it but alas it didn’t quite work out. They stayed just below a ridge and I was only able to get the top half of the bison. So the quest continues. Will the photo materialize? Maybe or maybe not. It’s the quest that is the fun part.

For more content from me check out my Substack at macturkphotos.substack.com, Instagram at instagram.com/macturkphotos or Facebook at facebook.com/wendy.macturk

Keep exploring,

Wendy

Photo of the Week

I hope you have a great weekend and enjoy this photo

For more content from me check out my Substack at macturkphotos.substack.com, Instagram at instagram.com/macturkphotos or Facebook at facebook.com/wendy.macturk

Keep exploring,

Wendy

Coexistence

Coexistence is defined as the state of two or more things, people, or groups existing together at the same time and place.

In nature, coexistence refers to different species living in the same habitat or ecosystem. I spend a lot of time in nature doing my best to coexist with all that is around me. I had been watching this horse for awhile when the bird landed near its head. There was no fear, no agitation on the part of the horse or the bird. They were coexisting, peacefully in their habitat. According to the WWF, human-wildlife coexistence is a dynamic state in which the needs and interests of both humans and wildlife living in proximity to each other are generally met, though this coexistence may not be entirely free of negative interactions and may still contain some level of impact to both people and wildlife. Coexistence is especially dependent on a level of tolerance on the human side. It is us humans that need to learn to coexist. We are not entitled to all that we see. We are not entitled to take what we want from the planet. We must protect this planet and all that inhabit it. Keep that in mind as you spend time outside this summer. Respect for all living things is the key.

For more content from me check out my Substack at macturkphotos.substack.com, Instagram at instagram.com/macturkphotos or Facebook at facebook.com/wendy.macturk

Keep exploring,

Wendy

I took the day off

Last night I decided to take the day off. Technically, I don’t have a nine to five job so every day is a day off. Now my days off look different. It now means that I don’t get up before dawn to go out in the field to photograph at sunrise. I basically slept in. It’s a day to do stuff around the camper like cleaning, run errands, restock supplies and fix anything that may be broken. It’s a day to catch up on reading, reviewing my never ending list of emails, and organizing my equipment. I never get as much done as I hope. There are still more emails to read, more journals to read, and more cleaning to complete.

I had hoped to do some macro photography around the camper but the wind is blowing like crazy so that will have to wait for another day. In the meantime, I’m spending the day with my guy Scout.

For more content from me check out my Substack at macturkphotos.substack.com, Instagram at instagram.com/macturkphotos or Facebook at facebook.com/wendy.macturk

Keep exploring,

Wendy

Golden Hour

I’ve been reading an article about photographing at golden hour. That “magical” time at sunrise and sunset when everything is bathed in the golden glow. The article contained a lot of information on technical and creative issues, suggestions and the difference between the light at sunrise and sunset. It was interesting. I had read most of the information in other articles but it did make me realize something. I prefer sunrise over sunset. It’s not to say I never shoot at sunset because of course I do but I mostly go out at sunrise.

I never gave much thought as to why. Why do I prefer sunrise? The sun comes up really early this time of year, I mean like 5 am. That means I have to get up at 3 am to be ready and in position by 4 am. This means I lack for sleep. What makes me get out of bed that early and do it with glee? I think it’s the idea of a new beginning, starting over fresh, and the endless possibilities ahead for that day for both me and the wildlife. It’s having the wild to myself. Most people are not crazy enough to get up that early. I was of course up for sunrise this morning although I slept in to 4 am and I will likely be up again tomorrow. Will you join me?

For more content from me check out my Substack at macturkphotos.substack.com, Instagram at instagram.com/macturkphotos or Facebook at facebook.com/wendy.macturk

Keep exploring,

Wendy

Badlands

I’m in the badlands. Where did that name come from? The Lakota people called this area Makȟó Šíča or “land bad.” French fur trappers called the area “les mauvaises terres à traverser”, which means “bad lands to travel through.” I can’t even imagine traveling or living in this rugged landscape without a car. Now it is looked at as one of the most beautiful places in the US.

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Have a great week!

Photo of the Week

I’m here in the badlands for the month of June. I love this area with its prairies and rock formations. Of course the wildlife isn’t bad either.

Stay tuned for phots from the badlands over the next few week. Have a great weekend.

Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary

I had one of those happy accidents. As I was driving to The Mammoth Site, I saw a sign for a wild horse sanctuary. Most of you are aware of my love for wild horses. I believe that they belong in the wild not in holding facilities run by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Millions of tax dollars each year are spent rounding up and removing wild horses from their native lands. They are then held in holding facilities at more cost to the tax payer. Those that don’t get adopted, often end up in the slaughter pipeline even though it is illegal to export horses for slaughter.

I of course made the turn and followed the signs to the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary. Located just south of Hot Springs, the sanctuary was founded in 1988 by Dayton O. Hyde to provide a permanent refuge for America's wild mustangs. the sanctuary is over 10,000 acres and home to over 600 wild horses

Hyde became concerned about the growing number of wild horses being removed from public lands during Bureau of Land Management roundups. His vision was to create a place where unwanted or displaced mustangs could live out their lives with minimal human interference. The sanctuary is operated by the Institute of Range and the American Mustang and relies largely on donations and tourism. The sanctuary is funded completely by donations.

Dayton Hyde may be the brains behind the Wild Horse Sanctuary, but he is quick to clarify just exactly who it is that pumps energy into the place on a daily basis. “This place couldn’t survive without her,” Dayton Hyde says of Susan Watt, his friend, companion and dynamo that keeps the Sanctuary going. Mr. Hyde passed away in 2018 and Susan continues their shared mission today.

To learn more about the sanctuary, visit their website at wildmustangs.com

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