A Sunset at Big Branch Marsh

As my departure date for Alaska wildlife photography draws near, I’ve been feeling the weight of anticipation. This is the trip of a lifetime—the chance to photograph coastal brown bears and wolves in one of the most pristine, untouched corners of Alaska. With that opportunity comes a mix of excitement and nervousness.

For the past nine months, I’ve been preparing: dialing in my gear, studying bear and wolf behavior, practicing camera settings, and working on my mindset. I want everything to be right—because when the moment comes, I want to be ready.

But preparation isn’t just about reading or packing. Sometimes you have to step into the field and let muscle memory take over. So, before heading north, I grabbed my cameras and went to one of my favorite local places to reset—Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana.

I timed my arrival ahead of sunset, not searching for any subject in particular, just working through any kinks with my gear and frame of mind. Nature, of course, had other plans.

First came a cooperative great egret (Ardea alba), posing perfectly in the golden light. Then, waves of eastern kingbirds (Tyrannus tyrannus) shot through the sky like rockets, pausing only to snatch insects. As the light faded, I turned my lens skyward and caught the rising half-moon, glowing against the deepening blue.

Just as I thought the evening was wrapping up, I spotted the silhouette of a great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) perched in a cypress snag. I pulled over, mounted my 400mm with a 2x extender, and pushed my ISO to 25,600 for a fleeting frame before the owl disappeared into the dusk.

Thinking that was my finale, I started down the narrow road—only to find not one, but two more owls perched together, standing sentinel over the marsh. This time, I switched to my 70-200mm f/2.8 to capture a wider landscape view, blending the owls, the snag, and the glowing marshland sunset.

The mosquitoes may have been relentless, but the evening left me with more than images. It gave me confidence. I’m ready for Alaska. Ready for bears fishing the salmon run, wolves patrolling the shoreline, moose in the wetlands, and raptors soaring overhead. Ready for the grand landscapes and the small moments in between. This final practice session at Big Branch reminded me why I do this—not just for the once-in-a-lifetime trips, but for the everyday opportunities to connect with nature, wherever I am.