Studying the Forest Habitat for Human Survival
Before you choose wildlife photography as a career or even a hobby, it is important to consider various factors such as a long stay in the forest and being patient to get a good picture. But more important according to the famous wildlife photographer Joseph Gurdak is to be able to survive in the forest for days together. So, in this case you should know sources of food and shelter in the forest which are safe for you. You should also know which water to drink. You may not even know some fruits, leaves, insects, and so on, which you may have to consume for survival. After all, you cannot have the comfort of your home there and don’t have access to urban foods, filtered water, and so on that you have been using. There are some recommendations given by Joseph Gurdak which will help you stay put in a forest safe from attacks and without draining your energy. This post discusses just the same.
How to Survive in a Forest Successfully?
According to Joseph Gurdak, staying in a forest requires you to condition your mind and also know the habitat around which would be useful as a food or water source. After all, if you need to stay in a forest for several days at a stretch, you cannot carry several bottles of water and packaged food. You may have seen some TV shows wherein the person staying in a forest knows it in and out, and also knows which part of a tree, herb, or animal would give what. This is not just for food and water but also for a safe shelter. Here are some pointers suggested by Joseph Gurdak which may be useful:
First, go in a group of at least three to four people and not alone, if you are venturing out for the first time.
The only gadgets which can perhaps help you in a forest are your camera and a smartphone.
With the help of some experienced people in your group, familiarize yourself with the flora and fauna found there.
Trace some specific locations where you can take pictures and leave a mark there so that you are not lost.
If there are some indigenous tribes living there, try to get friendly with them. It has its own challenges, but once they start trusting you, these people would be a great help in every situation.
Find a proper source of water such as any lake or river nearby the forest. You may even find a spring or a waterfall, in which case you can store the flowing water in your bottle which may take you through the day. It would help you stay hydrated as well as get pictures of animals coming to drink water.
If there is no source of water nearby, opt for a solar water still like technique and source locally available materials for filtering the water. You can find out how to make such as still; it’s quite easy.
Build a bonfire as it may get very cold at night. Also, it will protect you from wild animals. Store some wood and dry materials handy for burning.
Carry a cooking vessel with you and the fire would enable you to cook.
Building a safe shelter is crucial. Find a huge branch and start constructing a shelter with the available foliage and dried grass. Let the fire be nearby. Check for the presence of reptiles and wild animals.
Some forests may already have tree houses constructed if photographers and trekkers frequent the area. In that case, it would be the safest option.
Another alternative for a shelter would be a cave. However, it may have wild animals such as bears, lions, and so on., So, before entering the cave make sure there are no signs of any such animals already living there.
Most forests are home to different flora and fauna. So, before venturing into a new area, always get yourselves familiarized with the flora and fauna of the place. This will give you an idea on the consumable and toxic wild fruits, vegetables, and leaves that grow in the forest. If you are checking on trusted websites, you can see the pictures of the vegetation in these areas. Perhaps, you can click pictures and save them in your phone to refer it whenever required.
Finally, Joseph Gurdak always suggests taking help from any professional guides, trekkers, visitors, and photographers around apart from the local tribes.
If you are a fresher or an enthusiast in this field, these tips would be useful for you. If you have done a course in wildlife photography, you may have studied some of these pointers as part of your curriculum. According to Joseph Gurdak, to start with this survival process, try it with some experts initially, who have the experience of staying in forests. They would help you study the vegetation and habitat there which would offer you plenty of cues for survival.
