Essential Gear For A Nature Photographer

Make Room for More

Other tools to pack:

[1] An umbrella to soften sunlight for close-ups and, in a pinch, protect your DSLR from drizzle. (Photek Goodliter 60-inch umbrella, $70, www.photekusa.com.)

[2] A high-speed, stabilized tele zoom for sharp handheld pictures, even in low light. (Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM, $1,900, www.usa.canon.com.)

[3] A universal system that lets one filter fit many lenses, with a split neutral-density filter to balance a bright sky and dark foreground. (Cokin P-Series Filter Holder CBP400A, $16, www.omegasatter.com.)

[4] Insect repellent. (Off Active Insect Repellent, $6 for 9 oz., www.offprotects.com.)

[5] A multipurpose tool. (The model shown is no longer available. A good substitute: Gerber 05500 Multi-Plier 400 Compact Sport tool, $37, www.gerbertools.com.)

[6] Portable memory to back up your images. (Wolverine 320GB PicPac Portable Backup Drive, $200, www.wolverinedata.com.)

[7] An L-style tripod bracket for flipping your camera from horizontal to vertical while holding the optical center. (Really Right Stuff BD3-L, $183 direct, www.reallyrightstuff.com.)

[8] A macro focusing rail for shooting tiny subjects. (Kirk Enterprises Focusing Rail FR-1, $270, www.kirkphoto.com.)

[9] Maps. (DeLorme Atlas & Gazetter, $20 per state, www.delorme.com.)

[10] ND filters for slow shutter speeds in bright light. (Tiffen 77mm ND filters (0.3, 0.6, 0.9), $29 each, www.tiffen.com.)

[11] A carbon-fiber tripod that's light enough to lug. (CGitzo GT3530LS, $725, www.gitzo.com.)

[12] A lightning trigger, which automatically fires your DSLR when lightning strikes. (Lightning Trigger, $329 direct, www.lightningtrigger.com.)

[13] A gimbal-style tripod head to aim your monster tele easily. (Wimberley Head II, $595, www.tripodhead.com.)

Our sources: Marc Adamus, Daniel Beltrá, Richard Bernabe, Steve Bloom, Ian Frazier, Tom Leeson, Michael Penn, Ian Plant, Julie Quarry, Joe Rossbach, Nye Simmons, George Stocking, and Guy Tal.