A Few of My Favorite Things

I always try to pass on tips and also products that my clients share during my workshops. On one of my workshops I heard that REI has a Trade-in program. I looked it up and it seems like a good idea for stuff you are going to throw away. Click on the image below to see what it is all about. I have never used this service but am looking for feedback in the comment area from anyone who has.

Best for trading in

  • Jackets & pants

  • Sleeping bags

  • Tents

  • Packs

  • Hiking boots

  • Running shoes

Stuff we can't accept

  • Broken or damaged goods

  • Products REI has never sold

  • Items more than 6 years old

  • Electronics

  • Safety gear

  • Shoes missing insoles or with heavy wear (e.g. visible foot indentations)

Keep in mind

If you trade in items that are broken, dirty or otherwise ineligible, we can’t return them to you.

To make sure you get the most value out of your trade-in, see our full list of do’s and don’ts.

Patagonia also has a Trade-in program

I think both companies are on the right path here. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, that’s for sure. In addition to their trade in program, you can also donate some of your old stuff. Click on the image below to see more about it.

PATAGONIA

On my recently concluded Kenya trip Diana Davidson passed along a product that I thought was worth sharing. They are “Portawipes”. Portawipes are basically compressed toilet paper tablets that when water (about a tablespoon) is applied they become a soft, hygienic wipe. The reason I like these compared to a small pack of baby wipes is that they will not dry out and open in my pack. It will most likely take me a long time to use all of these but I will be prepared on my next hike or trip to the Mara . I just purchased some from Amazon-here is the link.

On my recent Bosque trip Debbie Teague shared some rechargeable hand warmers with the group. I liked that they fit in her pocket and they kept her hands pretty warm. I bought a pair, though they were not the brand she had (we couldn’t find them). I just googled rechargeable hand warmers. I am not recommending mine as I haven’t used them but the idea is there. If anyone has a link to a good pair please add it in the comment area for everyone to see-thanks.

Client's Images from Kenya

I wanted to share some of my client’s images from my recent photo tour to Kenya/Amboseli. The group was fantastic and so are their images! Hard to pick a favorite…

Image copyright 2021 ~ Kristen Eder

From Kristen Eder:

We saw this mother and her 3 cubs several times during our trip in the Mara. The morning I shot this she was on the move looking for prey for herself and cubs, moving from mound to mound. The cheetah has long been my favorite cat. I think they are just so elegant and possess enormous strength and endurance. I wanted to make a simple photograph to capture all your attention on the cheetah.

Image copyright 2021 ~ Kitty Kono Cobb

From Kitty Kono Cobb:

There were eleven of these little darlings playing together and being supervised by maybe four moms and two dads. As we were leaving the scene, Simon, our guide said, "Look at that little cub all alone in the tire track." I took his picture and just loved those huge paws. Oh what a time we had!
Thank you so much for all. Loved every minute.

Image copyright 2021 ~ Donna Bourdon

From Donna Bourdon:

This image was taken on one of the last mornings at Amboseli. Nothing much was happening as we looked for a sunrise location, so we returned to our “tried and true” location to hope for a show from the wildebeest. We got a nice surprise when the wildebeest started dancing and kicking up dust, just as the sun came up over a cloud. It was a magical moment.

Image copyright 2021 ~ Diana Lyn Davidson

From Diana Lyn Davidson:

I’ve been to Kenya a few times but without a doubt this trip exceeded every expectation and previous experience I’ve ever had. There were so many aspects of the trip that was a first for me. I spoke a few times about the fact that often the memorable events on my trips are not necessarily ones that I’ve been able to capture photographically but are, nonetheless, burned into my brain. On our trip, a juvenile leopard passed underneath our vehicle while I was leaning from the window. I whispered (to myself) ‘hello kitty’ (perhaps channeling our Kitty) as he passed by me and he looked up and, for a brief moment, our eyes caught—a sentinel moment for me. How many people can say they’ve locked gaze with a leopard??? This image reminded me of that moment because of the icy stare of the leopard’s gaze at the viewer. That, plus I’ve never seen a leopard so calmly watching me while I took his photo! Thank you so much, Denise, for such an incredible, wonderful trip!

Image copyright ~ Frank Forward

From Frank Forward:

this image is a composite of 3 images. it represents my vision of how we saw the elephants cross the dry basin. it was a unforgettable nature experience. as we laid on the ground and watched from maybe 40-50 feet, the herd of elephants slowly crossed a large stretch of cracked drybed. magnificent animals!!

Image copyright 2021 ~ Eloise Carson

From Eloise Carson:

I was amazed at the opportunity to watch this cheetah family hunt together. The mom caught the baby gazelle then let it go so her cubs could chase it and catch it on their own. Sad to watch but also just part of life. Our guides did such a good job getting us into position so we were able to capture shots like these.

Image copyright 2021 ~ Frank Shucka

From Frank Shucka:

So many shots that I’m enamored with and obviously this was inspired by your high key photos. I really like the artistic feel of this one. Great fun to explore new techniques.

Image copyright 2021 ~ Mansoor Assadi

From Mansoor Assadi:

Wildebeest sparring at Sunset in Amboseli National Park.

Co-leader's Images Bosque

I was fortunate to have two very qualified co-leaders on my recent workshop at Bosque del Apache. Donna Bourdon and Dave Klein were exceptional. We not only made an effective team, but we had so much fun while we were there. I wanted to share a small sampling of their images from the trip. Directly below are Donna Bourdon’s images. She said that these were her favorites. Well, I made her put the blue crane image in. It was captured just as the sun slipped below the horizon and the cool of the night filled the air. Her shot reflects the look and feel of that evening as the last of the cranes came into roost. A memory I will treasure. Donna will be taking over my Bosque workshops. I have no doubt she will do an excellent job as the client’s love her. She is most helpful with camera settings and set up; plus she has a great passion for the birds. After every workshop I have received rave reviews about her co-leading abilities…

I first met Dave at Bosque in 2009? I may be a year or two off but it was long ago. Dave is a very qualified co-leader, he is well versed in Nikon, Sony and Canon camera systems. He is a fantastic photographer with a great eye for image design. I am trying to talk him into co-leading more trips. Time will tell.

Dave’s five images shown below represent a variety of subjects and light. Every year at Bosque is different. Having no water in the crane pools had its advantages and disadvantages. Being able to capture up close crane and geese shots was much easier this year than previous years. Getting blastoff shots were not as easy as blastoffs didn’t happen much. My theory on that is there was no corn and no corn = no food to rush off to. The geese flew off in the morning in small groups and never quite blasted as before. There were plenty of predators as we saw 3 coyotes within the first hour upon arrival to the refuge.

Second Kenya Trip Added for 2022

I am pleased to announce that a second photo tour to the Mara has been added.

Join award winning photographers Paul McKenzie and Denise Ippolito for an action-packed adventure to the Maasai Mara in Kenya. The Mara is known for it’s amazing variety and concentration of big cats. It is not unusual to see Leopard, Cheetah and Lion in one day!

We will have a private flight charter so that all of our camera bags can be carried onboard.

Unlike many other game parks in Africa and around the world, we do not face restrictions on when we can leave and return to the camp. Even more important is that for the most part, we can drive off-road in the area of the Mara that we are staying in. So we will not have to put up with the excruciating frustration of having to remain on-road when e.g. a Cheetah, Lion or Leopard is in hunting mode 200m away and we can only see small dots through our longest lenses.

The plan for most mornings is to get up at 5.15-5.30am, have a quick coffee/tea/cookie and then leave the camp by 5.45-6.00am with a packed breakfast and lunch. It is critical that we leave before sunrise to locate the animals that we want to photograph before the sun comes up. Many of the cats are most active in the very early morning. Usually we will try to locate the cats that we have been with the previous evening. Often though, we will chance on wildlife encounters and stick with these. The guides have radios in all the vehicles such that on occasion, we may split up. Our guides are in radio contact with drivers from other camps and lodges. This gives us a good chance to get to wildlife encounters quickly assuming they are occurring near to our existing location.

Vehicles

We will use 3 stretch/modified Toyota Land Cruisers. There will be three rows of seats in each vehicle so that each person has a row to themselves. That way everyone can shoot unencumbered irrespective of what side of the vehicle the action is taking place.

The vehicles are designed so that you can shoot out of the sides or standing, out of the top. The top of the vehicles have two roof hatches which we remove at the start of each day (they rest on the top of the vehicles next to the openings such that they can put back on if it rains or if we need shade.

The side of the vehicles comprise either large roll down windows or roll up, transparent canvass sides. Again, we roll these canvass side up before we go out each day but if it rains, they can quickly be rolled down.

*A detailed information sheet will be sent upon sign up.

Deposit Information:
A non-refundable deposit of $2,000 due now to hold your spot. Final payments are due March 20, 2022 via check or wire transfer only, fees on both ends are the responsibility of the participant. Credit cards will not be accepted for any payment other than deposit. Full payments are always welcomed via check or wire transfer . All checks made payable to: Denise Ippolito LLC.

Please be sure to check your calendar carefully and to check out my Workshop Policy Page.

Note: Purchasing travel insurance is strongly recommended.

*A single supplement is available for $1100.00 additional

TO SIGN UP FOR THIS AMAZING ADVENTURE CLICK HERE.