Essential Antarctica Photography Tips: Creative & Practical

Susan Portnoy, The Insatiable Traveler, on a beach on South Georgia Island, looking at a baby elephant Seal

Essential Antarctica Photography Tips: Practical & Creative Creative and practical advice to make the most of your photos Photographing in Antarctica can throw you for a loop if it’s your first time. Inclement weather, shooting from boats, high-contrast conditions, and wildlife flying, swimming, and waddling is not your usual mixed bag.  On my expedition cruise […]

Visit the Great Bear Rainforest Home of the “Spirit” Bear

A breathtaking view of a small tender cruising on a rainy day on a lake surrounded by mountains and fog in the BC Rainforest

Wisdom from the First Nations “Ask the Grandfathers to help you,” said Old Hands with a crooked smile. I struggle with his suggestion. “Won’t it seem kind of selfish?”  The elder Shoshone Medicine Man thinks a moment. “Tell them you want to take pictures of our animals so others will be inspired to protect them,” he […]

Don’t Miss Churchill’s Astonishing Beluga Whale Migration

Beluga whale swimming in the Churchill River

Astonished, I am overcome with excitement. Following me are nearly a dozen snow-white beluga whales close enough to touch. As a rule, boats must stay at least 50 meters from cetaceans, but evidently, the belugas have no such regulations about humans, and I couldn’t be happier. When we set out, Lazy Bear Expeditions guide Jason Ransom […]

Why the Zipline at Hunter Mountain is one of the Best in North America

View from the 1st Hunter Mountain Zipline

One of the most memorable experiences you’ll ever have is one that frightens you at first and then ends up being tons of fun. Such was the case with the SkyRider, the zipline at Hunter Mountain in New York’s Northern Catskills, the fastest, highest and longest zipline in North America. I hate the sensation of […]

Swim with Sea Lions in Mexico’s Sea of Cortez

Sea Lions swimming near Isla Espiritu Santos?

As the sea lions swim past me––banking, rolling, diving, zooming around in loop de loops like Hotwheels on a track––I am sure of one thing, even if this UnCruise adventure sucked (which it doesn’t), the trip would be worth it for this one hour. The Island of Los Islotes We are at the base of […]

Swimming With Whale Sharks in Mexico (Video)

Whale shark under a wave

The idea of swimming with whale sharks made me nervous. I wanted to, a lot, but I couldn’t forget my bizarre reaction to a spinner dolphin in Costa Rica a few years ago. I was afraid I’d humiliate myself again. At the time, I’d been completely and utterly irrational. I was in the water near […]

Dive Into The Unexpected – Try Snorkeling in Ketchikan, Alaska

Our group of 10 ready to hit the waves. -On an Alaskan Land + Sea adventure with Holland America, I went on a lot of exciting excursions. One of my favorites: snorkeling in Ketchikan.-IMG_3129

I’m trying desperately to pull on a 7mm wetsuit but it’s clinging to me like a surgical glove. We’d been warned it would take some effort but it’s so absurdly difficult that the other women in the dressing room and I can’t stop laughing. I’m convinced there’s a hidden camera and we’re being filmed for […]

Don’t Miss Dog Sledding in Whitehorse Yukon

Dogs running in Canada as if in the greatest dog sled race in the world.

It was mid-morning when we arrived at Sky High Mountain Ranch for our dog-sledding adventure in Whitehorse Yukon about 20 minutes from downtown. A sea of magnificent pines bordered a large lake shining silver in the sunlight. Everything glistened topped with four inches of freshly fallen snow as if straight out of a fairytale. We […]

The Thrill of Canada’s only Walking Polar Bear Safari

She’s walking straight at us. Her long, powerful strides putting her well within the 50 meters (164-foot) safety range. Even if I could run, what’s the point?  She could outpace me in seconds. I look down the line of fellow photographers to where Andy McPhearson and Rob Watson, two of our three Churchill Wild guides, […]

Flightseeing Over The Extraordinary Kaskawulsh Glacier

Looking down the glacier down towards the icefield--Kaskawulsh glacier in Yukon's Kulane National Park-1084

I opened the door of the tiny plane and hopped out, sinking into the wet snow up to my shins of the Kaskawulsh Glacier. Squinting behind my sunglasses, I scanned the sea of snow-covered peaks glistening against a blinding blue sky. We were completely alone. Tiny specs of life standing in the middle of the Yukon’s […]