What was your best experience in the field covering this story?

There was a rabies outbreak, and all the mother wolves had left their litters except for one. It was critical that I photograph them, so for two weeks I worked on getting the pack to accept me. I always made myself visible, but kept a distance until I saw their body language relax. Then I would move a few feet closer. I even wore the same clothes and carried the same cameras every day. Eventually, the wolves ignored me, and I got to spend another two weeks photographing them.

What was your worst experience in the field covering this story?

The last phase of the rabies epidemic happened while I was in the Web Valley. Five packs had been wiped out, and I had a really hard time seeing these animals that were once majestic and energetic lying lifeless on the ground.

What was your quirkiest experience in the field covering this story?

I was asleep in my tent one night when I heard strange noises. It didn't bother me at first, but then the noise wouldn't stop. I discovered three rats in my tent, and they were eating some of my fresh cabbage. So I got up, shouted at them, and they left. I even went outside and covered up their burrow holes with my cameras and luggage. The next day I pitched my tent in another location. I like rodents, but only from a distance.