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In this blog I will be sharing with you my daily routines when in the Pantanal. My aim is that you are well prepared when visiting the Pantanal to get the best possible experience and take home amazing jaguar and Pantanal wildlife images. Please leave your thoughts in the comments.
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During the dry season in the Pantanal, temperatures can range from 30 to 45 Celsius. Fortunately, most lodges provide air conditioning in their rooms. However, sudden shifts in temperature can cause your camera gear to fog up and experience condensation. To avoid this, it is recommended to keep your gear as warm as possible and take certain precautions. Firstly, avoid setting the AC temperature too low. Secondly, keep your camera bag closed and place it near the door or the warmest area of the room, away from direct airflow from the AC. Lastly, allow your gear some time outside the room in the morning to adjust to the surrounding temperature. While there are no guarantees that fogging and condensation won’t occur, following these steps will help minimise the chances.
When I return to the lodge at the end of the day, one of my top tasks is to ensure that my batteries are fully charged. It’s crucial to take advantage of any available power source in case there is an unexpected power outage or any other unforeseen events. To facilitate this process, I always carry a power strip with me so that I can simultaneously use multiple battery chargers. Additionally, even if some of my batteries are only halfway charged (at 50%), I make it a point to completely recharge them back up to 100%. This meticulous approach brings me great peace of mind since it guarantees that I will have an ample supply of fully charged batteries at all times.
Alright, so once I’m back at the lodge, the next thing on my agenda is backing up all those awesome images I’ve captured. Gotta make sure they’re safe! First, I’ll download ’em onto my trusty computer, and then it’s time for some distribution action. Two Lacie rugged drives are gonna be the lucky recipients of these precious memories – one goes with me everywhere in a waterproof bag, while the other stays cozy in the hotel room. Oh yeah, and let’s not forget about that DJI pilot drive! It’s like my secret weapon against any computer glitches – just in case things go haywire, this bad boy lets me download directly from camera or CF card reader and even hook up with my phone for quick sharing moments with fam and friends!
It is essential for me to review the images I capture on my computer when I am at the lodge. While out on the river, I make it a point to check my settings regularly – reading the histogram and adjusting the ISO, shutter speed and F settings. However, it is crucial that I resist the temptation to review images while in nature for several reasons: Firstly, you cannot effectively assess image quality on the small screen of a camera. Secondly, constantly reviewing images can distract me from witnessing exciting moments right in front of me. Lastly, it puts unnecessary strain on my camera’s battery life – something that can be easily avoided by refraining from reviewing images in real-time.
Just before leaving my room, I always ensure that everything is in order:
– Confirm that both cameras have batteries and there are spare ones packed away.
– Check if two memory cards per camera are inserted and if they are empty.
– Verify that both cameras are functioning correctly by performing an on/off check.
– Make sure the back-up drive is securely placed inside of my camera bag.
– Check if the Monopod is in the bag
– Ensure there is a rain cover stored inside the bag for protection against bad weather conditions.
– Double-check that all electronic devices, including the laptop, are safely stored in either a bag or suitcase. Finally, lock both the bag/suitcase for added security.
Having a structure and creating a routine gives you confidence and peace of mind when on a safari trip. Unforeseen situations can always occur. However, with some strong routines in place you are mitigating the risk of failure.
Interested to learn what camera gear I bring to Pantanal? Read our blog : camera gear for Pantanal
Do you find this helpful as preparation for your Pantanal & jaguar photography trip? Please share you thoughts and remarks in the comments below, or reach out to us directly.
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