Let’s Go Wild

In this episode I talk with professional wildlife photographer Donald M. Jones.  Don is based in Montana specializing in all forms of North American Wildlife.  Don's images are created from his overwhelming passion for being outdoors with his cameras in tow.  What began as a young boy with binoculars swaying from his neck and a bird book in his back pocket in suburban Chicago has now transformed into a living dream. All of Don's wildlife subjects are just that, Wild.  His work is authentic, and his message is "Keep the wild in wildlife".  He has been a full-time professional wildlife photographer since 1993.  He is credited with more than 900 magazine covers and 13 books.  You can find his photography on his website https://donaldmjones.com and Donald Jones on Facebook.

This episode I talk with Dr. Markus Mika about Flammulated owls.  Dr. Mika is an avian biologist with a background in ecology, evolution, and conservation.  His doctoral research at the University of Nevada Las Vegas investigated the evolutionary history of Flammulated Owl populations ranging from southern Mexico to British Columbia using genetic markers.  Before his dissertation research, he worked on his Masters focusing on Flammulated Owls in northern Utah.  For the last 12 years, he has returned to Utah during the summer field season continuing long term data collection on nesting and resource fluctuations in Flammulated and Northern Saw-whet Owls collaborating with HawkWatch International.  Currently, he is an Assistant Professor in the Biology Department at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse. Here is a link to his last published paper:  https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ecy.3617 HawkWatch International: https://hawkwatch.org Earthwatch: https://earthwatch.org

In this episode I talk with my good friend Laura Hughes.  Laura is a wildlife biologist and consults on numerous different projects.  Here, we talk about one of the projects she has been working on- the Allegheny Woodrat.  Laura and her husband Dave live in SE Ohio where they are working to enhance their property for wildlife. Laura does a lot of work with camera traps, and posts really fantastic videos on her Instagram- ohlughes  One correction to be made from our chat- the wood rat captive breeding program will be done at the Maryland zoo, not the Missouri zoo.

Join me as I talk with bird guide extraordinaire, Diego Calderón.  We talk about the many trips we have taken together, as well as some crazy things that has happened in his life.  Diego is super fun to be with, and it is always an adventure!  You can find Diego on Facebook at Diego Calderon and Instagram at diegocolbirding. Look for the fantastic documentary about Colombian bird diversity called The Birders which can be found on youtube.  Also, the 15 minute Nat Geo doc Birdwatching with FARC also found on youtube.  Diego is featured in both of these.  Diego is cohost of The Birders Show, and you can find episodes on youtube or at https://thebirdersshow.com

Please join me as I talk with Brilland Andriamirindra, owner and guide of Madacartour, about our trip in Madagascar.  We talk about challenges the wildlife in Madagascar faces, as well as the hope Brilland has for his country.  I highly recommend you taking a trip with Brilland to Madagascar.  You can find him at https://www.madacartour.com

Please join me as I continue to recount my trip to Madagascar.  In this episode I talk with researchers studying the day gecko, our driver Nev, and several more of our local guides.  As promised, I share some of the conservation success stories in Madagascar!

Join me as I recount my most recent trip to Madagascar.  I talk with a biologist, conservationists, researchers, local guides, and others in the ecotourism industry.  Ecotourism may be the only way to save some species of wildlife in Madagascar.  I will talk about some success stories as well as some of the problems the wildlife faces.  One of the places that I highlight is Parc Bandro and talk about the plight of the Bandro, or the Lake Alaotra Gentle Bamboo Lemur.  I talked with a conservation biologist with the Madagascar Wildlife Foundation.  If you would like to donate to this organization here is the link as the Bandro desperately needs support. Conservation Allies is matching donations through the end of the year: https://www.conservationallies.org/partners/mwc/

Join me as I talk to Beth about her recent trip to Alaska and if she would recommend a cruise.  We also share stories from our trip to Ireland.

Join me as I talk to owner and guide of Tour Gambia, Mr. Modou Barry, about travel in the Gambia.  Contact Mr. Barry at https://www.tourgambia.com/ or at [email protected] to form your own trip!

Join me as I talk with Cassey Jacobson about some of our travels to Estonia, Sri Lanka, Boundary Waters, San Juan Islands, and more.  We also talk about her living abroad, and what it is like travelling as a single woman.