Winter Photography Dressing Tips (Boots)

This photo of the Bald Eagles was taken around 20 below zero

Boots

Getting cold feet? Not only is it unpleasant, it puts your feet at risk for frostbite. Start on the inside with plush liner socks designed to wick moisture and stay warm when wet, made from materials like wool and nylon. (Never wear cotton socks in cold, wet conditions!)

On the outside, be sure you have snow boots that are waterproof or water-resistant, depending on how wet the conditions are. Winter boots should be lined with Thinsulate® insulation for somewhat cold temps, or thick, removable synthetic liners for frigid temps. Boots with removable felt or foam liners make it easy to dry the liner when you get back.

The coldest-weather boots are usually temperature-rated. I own two pair on that is more generic for warmer winter days shoveling the driveway etc. I also own a pair that is rated at 30 below zero.

Winter Photography Dress Tips (Head Gear)

The human body loses the most head from the hand, feet, and head.

Here are some accessories for winter travel that I recommend

Head

In cold weather, you lose much of your heat through your head and neck - 30% or more! Why not preserve warmth by simply donning a winter hat?

Your hat needs to insulate and breathe well, to let excess heat and perspiration escape. Synthetic hat materials like Windstopper® polyester and acrylic knits stay warm when wet, as does natural wool. Also, look for itchless materials or linings, since a hat can really become uncomfortable without them.

A neck gaiter is a sleeve that fits over your head and covers the neck area like a scarf; however, it is better than a scarf since it has no loose ends and is snug. It can also be pulled up to cover the chin and the mouth when it is windy. 

A fleece-lined facemask with breathing holes for the mouth and nose. This minimizes condensation which is bad on your skin.

If you want something you never had, then you’ve got to do something you’ve never done.

Today is a blank page in a 365 page book. Write a good one

Never Give Up

Sometimes going the extra mile pays off.

On Saturday I was with my 9 year old son. He wanted to go look for wildlife particularly snowy owls.

I love any opportunity to teach my kids about the outdoors and nature.

Here is the catch it was 2 o'clock and it get dark about 4:30 pm. We were one hour away so very little time for a gamble and less than an hour to find one. One the way down we got stuck in a traffic jam so I told him we would go another day. He looked disappointed and said "Don't give up". How could I back down now.

We ended up arriving about 4 pm with less than a half hour to find anything. He got his first camera for Christmas and he was ready to go. We immediately found a group of white tailed deer which he photographed. What I didn't realize was a snowy owl was perched on the group among them. Here we go now its going to get interesting.

The snowy owl flew in the air and started dive bombing a couple of the deer. Suddenly a short eared owl came by and the snowy went after him. Soon after a northern harrier flew by. Wow. Incredible Drama. Here is one of the pictures I got of the snowy owl landing in a tree.

What an incredible day for both of us. I hope my son never forgets this day I won't.