In this episode of Beyond the Wild, host Ron Hayes and Jason Loftus welcome wildlife photographer Julia Cook. Julia has accomplished more in five years than many wildlife photography enthusiasts, and she shares her journey into wildlife photography, her experiences in Yellowstone, and the differences in bear behavior between Yellowstone and Katmai. Jason and Julia discuss their recent trip to Churchill, Canada, where they experienced incredible polar bear encounters. The conversation also highlights Julia’s personal experiences with wildlife photography projects, including the release of black-footed ferrets. Join us for this enjoyable episode and see how fast Julia became “hooked” on wildlife photography.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:05 Wildlife Photography Beginnings

03:58 Experiences in Churchill

06:50 Polar Bear Encounters

09:54 Evening Activities and Aurora

13:03 Guided Tours and Bear Sightings

15:52 Julia's Journey in Wildlife Photography

18:58 Guiding in Yellowstone

20:50 Summer Adventures and Outdoor Experiences

21:45 Memorable Wildlife Encounters

22:58 The Elusive Wolverine

26:00 Grizzly Bears: A Passion for Photography

28:09 First Encounters with Grizzly Bears

29:34 Safety in Bear Country

30:25 Research and Photography in Katmai

31:51 Understanding Bear Behavior

37:40 Citizen Science and Bear Identification

39:43 Upcoming Projects and Workshops

45:00 Conservation Efforts and Breeding Programs

48:27 Wildlife Encounters and Personal Experiences

50:28 Future Wildlife Adventures and Aspirations

53:56 Wildlife Photography and Unique Sightings

57:58 Traveling for Wildlife and Cultural Experiences

01:01:59 Reflections on Wildlife and Community Engagement

Links

Instagram: @juliacookwildlife

Website: www.juliacookwildlife.com

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