Brazil 2022
My first trip to the Pantanal with ORYX Photo Tours and Dale Morris was terrific. Dale and the wonderful local guide Sergio Freitas (Dale’s Brazilian assistant) knew nearly everything I asked about the local wildlife, and if they didn’t, they found out. Dale and Sergio went out of their way to find reclusive and camouflaged animals, able to do so through knowing the animals’ behavior and the Pantanal itself so thoroughly. The tour was well-planned, the food was plentiful and delicious, the lodges and the boat hotel were comfortable, and the group of photographers were companionable and pleasant. I was using a new camera and shooting manually for the first time.
Every now and then, as I aimed at a potoo or a coiled anaconda, Dale would whisper, “If you use this ISO and that shutter speed, and stand exactly where I am standing now, Alison, you will get an excellent shot.” And lo! he was exactly right: I’d get a sharp photo with open eyes and no stick coming out of the animal’s head! I enjoyed the trip to the Pantanal very much and would urge anyone to travel with Dale Morris.