WLM Winter 2016 | Page 17

WLM | my Wyoming craving By Brian Zinke Images by Brian Zinke T he life of a wildlife photographer is oh so glamorous. Getting up at 4am. Staying up until the wee hours of the morning. Sitting in mosquito infested wetlands. Hiking for miles in the sweltering sun. But would I have it any other way? Not a chance. Some of my favorite photographs I’ve ever taken have proved to be some of my most physically and mentally demanding ones to get. It’s daunting sometimes, knowing the process isn’t necessarily going to be enjoyable. But if you’re persistent, the result can be overwhelmingly worth it. Like the moment when you’ve been up all night, walking around in the dark. You’re exhausted, bored, and really just want to sleep. So you take a break, and when you turn your light back on there is a swift fox staring at you from twenty-five yards away. Overwhelmingly worth it. Or when you’ve been walking all day in the mountains, hiking up and www.wyolifestyle.com 15