Reefs to Rockies

01/30/2025

Have you checked out the latest issue of our newsletter?

This month, we’re spotlighting six sunny wildlife destinations to help you escape the cold, plus giving you a sneak peek at some once-in-a-lifetime trips coming up next year!

📧 Start reading: https://mailchi.mp/reefstorockies/escape-the-cold-6-wildlife-havens-in-the-sun

01/11/2025

Have you heard the news? There's an owl irruption going on this winter and we promised to offer a trip to northern Minnesota the next time it happened. It's on and we have our local guides tracking the action until we get there. This is a very small group offering and only a few spots left.

We'll be strategically working areas away from crowds. Is this your year to experience this winter spectacle with us. Up to 8 species of owls are possible + loads of other boreal specialties.

Join us!

01/09/2025

🐾 Pumas: The Stealthy Predators of Patagonia 🐾

In the rugged beauty of Torres del Paine National Park, pumas reign as apex predators, shaping the balance of this breathtaking ecosystem. These elusive cats, also known as mountain lions or cougars, are expert hunters, relying on guanacos as their primary prey. Their presence ensures that herbivore populations remain in check, maintaining the health of the steppe.

But life hasn’t always been easy for Patagonia's pumas. Historically persecuted as threats to livestock, their populations suffered sharp declines. Today, in protected areas like Torres del Paine, pumas are making a comeback, offering visitors rare glimpses of these majestic cats in the wild.

Conservation-based wildlife travel plays a critical role in their recovery. Through sustainable tourism, we can support efforts to preserve habitats, reduce human-wildlife conflict, and foster coexistence between pumas and local communities. 🐆

Here are some of our favorite photos from last month's Pumas and Penguins expeditions to Chile.

01/06/2025

Guanacos: Guardians of the Patagonian Steppe

For over 10,000 years, vast herds of guanacos roamed the windswept Patagonian steppe, migrating seasonally and playing a vital role in this unique ecosystem. As the wild ancestors of llamas and distant relatives of camels, guanacos are integral to Patagonia's balance, serving as prey for apex predators like pumas and scavengers like Andean condors.

This week, were featuring our favorite photos of these three interconnected Patagonian species – guanaco, puma, and Andean condor – from our recent wildlife expeditions to southern Chile.

First up – the guanaco.

Conservation-based wildlife travel supports efforts to protect and restore this delicate balance.

01/01/2025

Happy New Year! 2024 was outstanding and we're very much looking forward to 2025!

12/31/2024

Get ready to explore Patagonia from the ground up! 🌸🌿 We're kicking off our Patagonia highlight reels with a spectacular surprise from our recent small-group expeditions to Chile's Southern Patagonia—wildflower bloom at its peak! Timing couldn’t have been more perfect to witness this vibrant display of nature's artistry. Stay tuned for more breathtaking moments from one of the world's most stunning regions!

12/24/2024

🌍 Torres del Paine National Park: Not Just a Pretty Face 🏔️

Sure, the dramatic landscapes and stunning peaks steal the show, but there’s so much more beneath the surface. Watch this space for wildlife highlights from back-to-back trips to Torres del Paine National Park earlier this month.

12/12/2024

🌎🐧 Wildlife Wonders of Tierra del Fuego! 🐧🌎
Did you know the only continental colony of king penguins in the world calls Tierra del Fuego home? We found Chile's penguinos rey this week!

11/08/2024

It was our honor to nominate for an ATCF grant this important program that works to remove plastic waste from sea turtle habitats. Congrats to our friends at SEE Turtles! Keep up the great work.

11/05/2024

✈️ Travel tip incoming! To get the best fares, try to book your flight at least 21 days in advance. Booking within 20 days may cost you an extra $100 to $200, as the previous cheapest fare will have expired.

Here are the 21-day deadlines for some upcoming holidays:

🦃 Thanksgiving: November 7, 2024
🎄 Christmas: December 4, 2024
🥂 New Year’s Eve: December 10, 2024

11/01/2024

Today, as Día de los Mu***os brings loved ones to mind, so too do the monarch butterflies arriving in Mexico. For many, these delicate travelers are more than butterflies—they’re symbols of returning souls, embodying life’s beautiful cycles. This season, let’s celebrate nature’s wonders and the cultural connections that keep us close to those who came before.

10/28/2024

What’s the Spookiest Wildlife Encounter You’ve Ever Had?

With Halloween around the corner, we’re feeling a little spooky ourselves and want to hear from YOU! Have you ever had a spine-tingling wildlife experience? Maybe you felt eyes on you in the forest at dusk, or heard an eerie call that made you freeze? Share your wild stories in the comments below—let’s see who’s had the most hair-raising encounter!

10/17/2024

Every visit to Colombia deepens our love for this vibrant country. These remote mountains echo with the sights and sounds of tropical wildlife, warm-hearted people, traditional music, and delicious cuisine.

We recently attended the Colombia Nature Travel Mart and visited key wildlife and cultural hotspots. Thanks to PROCOLOMBIA and Manakin Nature Tours for the invitation!

Colombia is a paradise waiting to be explored. Stay tuned for highlights from our recent trip and ask us how we can plan your next adventure in this beautiful country!

10/09/2024

🌾 The Great Plains Three Bs 🌾

Meet the Great Plains trio that keep our prairies wild and thriving:

Bison – The mighty keystone species that has engineered prairie ecosystems for thousands of years.

Burrowing Owl – The stealthy sentry who loves to feast on dung beetles keeping a watchful eye from the safety of its nesting burrow.

Badger – The fearless digger, crafting tunnels and shelter for themselves and other prairie wildlife.

Have any interest in seeing these Great Plains Icons in the wild? Join us for one of our upcoming American Serengeti Safaris!

10/04/2024

Happy World Wildlife Day! Today, we celebrate the incredible diversity of species that make our planet so unique and beautiful. From the vast oceans to the highest mountains, wildlife plays a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Let's commit to protecting the wild for generations to come.

09/27/2024

Did you know that bison fur when shed is important for a variety of prairie species? Shedding season corresponds to nesting season for birds including hawks, shrikes, and ravens. Their fur also aids in seed dispersal. Super cool, huh?

09/19/2024

Only in the last few years would you have imagined seeing the words “ecotourism” and “ranching” in the same sentence. Ranchers have viewed outsiders skeptically, while wildlife enthusiasts have seen ranching as harmful to the land and wildlife.

Together with Audubon Rockies, we're working to change that perception by demonstrating how ranching for wildlife and tourism can align for mutual benefit.

The method? Birding tours on Audubon Certified Ranches.

Audubon Conservation Ranching and Reefs to Rockies add a new dimension to ecotourism.

09/12/2024

Founded in 1975, Costa Rica's Corcovado National Park protects about a third of the Osa Peninsula, including virgin lowland tropical rainforest, beaches, rivers, waterfalls, mangroves, and more. It’s been labeled one of the most “biologically intense” places on the planet by National Geographic.

Take 60 seconds to enjoy highlights from our recent visit to Corcovado.

In case you’re wondering, spotting a tapir and a tamandua within minutes of each other isn’t easy to do. Another reason we love, love, love Corcovado and the Osa Peninsula!