Hi
I am a british, full time wildlife and nature photographer currently living in Switzerland, My wife works for a global company whose headquarters are in the USA,She has been offered a position to work in the States,She has a few places to choose from including New Hampshire,Massachusetts and North Carolina,She is happy to go anywhere however i want to be were the wildlife is the best-Could you give me your thoughts
Of the three, I would choose New Hampshire...but it really depends where you will be. Each state has its own wildlife areas. New Hampshire is less populated than the other two states so, overall, has more wilderness.
For wildlife info, you can find the wildlife agencies of all three states here: http://www.fishwildlife.org/where_us.html I am sure that each state has a tourism Web site, also. Economically, North Carolina is booming these days, so there are lots of people moving there, and lots of business opportunities. That could be a plus or a minus for you.
If at all possible, you should visit all three states. I am quite sure that both you and your wife will want to consider many natural and cultural variables other than wildlife. There is abundant wildlife everywhere, and spectacular scenery, too. You may want to consider the locations within each state, as the distances to travel between cities, seashores and mountains is much greater in the US than in Europe. I don't know much about the climate in Switzerland, but winters in New England can be brutal. I arrived at a wildlife biologists' meeting in Holderness NH several years ago after hearing on the Radio that NH had been chosen as the best state in the USA to reside in that year. My colleagues from NH both laughed and said "whoever made that decision has never spent a winter up here!" But they love NH and so do I. If you like snow and moose, seriously consider NH. (And the rocky seascapes there and nearby Maine are not far away.) If you like the hazy vistas of the Great Smokey Mountains, expansive beaches, and mild climates, go to NC. If you like the cultural assets of big cities, rolling hills and a variety of seashores, Eastern MA is the place to be, and it's close to the other New England states. Snow and mountain wildlife to the north, vast woodlands and coastal wildlife (waterfowl and shorebirds) to the south, (as well as coastal hurricanes). Both regions are wonderful in their own ways. We are probably biased up here, but if you can take the snow and cold, any of the New England states (North of NY City) offers more variety in terms of both cultural and natural resources.
Dave,
If you are a wildlife photographer I would think that New Hampshire would be the best place in the eastern US. Not only does New Hampshire have a great deal of wildlife, but you are north of the big population centers in the eastern US and Maine and the Atlantic provinces of Canada are relatively close to you. You will also find that you have four distinct seasons for shooting wildlife that include Summer ( lots of trees) Autumn ( great fall foliage) Winter ( snow cover mountains and fields), and Spring. Also in New England you have a beautiful seashore along the Maine / NH / Mass coast that includes both rocky forested shores and sand beaches and sand dunes. The migratory birds in the New England states are excellent both along the coast and inland.
If you decide to head towards the NH/Mass area let me know for some specific advice on a number of things including photo, business, and personal things to think about.
Hi Dave, I am now 8 months in after my move to MA from the UK and really enjoy it (my wife's job brought us here too). I am still very much trying to get to grips with the wildlife - where is good and how they behave, so will leave that advice to the locally experienced.
Weather wise, I guess it is similar to Lausanne - warm summers and cold winters. Although I have spent quite a bit of time in Massachusetts and the US before living here, I still find the distances and amount of 'space' mind-blowing. Biggest complaint that I have is the beer but wine is good and cheap
If you do head this way and want any advice on the move etc. from someone in a similar situation, let me know.
Thanks guys, Lots to think about, I think we will be on the move in the next 12 months so no need to rush- Your advise and comments are much appreciated
In my opinion, the further north that you can go, the better for shooting wildlife. I think you will be spending most of your shooting time in the Great north woods of NH, and the 100 mile wilderness in Maine. However, if you do this full time, and can concievably get away for a few days at a time, it's about a 2-3 hour drive from the NH seacoast to there, and provides you with pleasant access to ammenities and a resonable drive to the wilderness.
I may be biased though, as I'm moving to near Portsmouth NH in the next few months as well...simply a wonderful area!
Discussion
7 repliesI am a british, full time wildlife and nature photographer currently living in Switzerland, My wife works for a global company whose headquarters are in the USA,She has been offered a position to work in the States,She has a few places to choose from including New Hampshire,Massachusetts and North Carolina,She is happy to go anywhere however i want to be were the wildlife is the best-Could you give me your thoughts
Thanks in advance
David Courtenay
If at all possible, you should visit all three states. I am quite sure that both you and your wife will want to consider many natural and cultural variables other than wildlife. There is abundant wildlife everywhere, and spectacular scenery, too. You may want to consider the locations within each state, as the distances to travel between cities, seashores and mountains is much greater in the US than in Europe. I don't know much about the climate in Switzerland, but winters in New England can be brutal. I arrived at a wildlife biologists' meeting in Holderness NH several years ago after hearing on the Radio that NH had been chosen as the best state in the USA to reside in that year. My colleagues from NH both laughed and said "whoever made that decision has never spent a winter up here!" But they love NH and so do I. If you like snow and moose, seriously consider NH. (And the rocky seascapes there and nearby Maine are not far away.) If you like the hazy vistas of the Great Smokey Mountains, expansive beaches, and mild climates, go to NC. If you like the cultural assets of big cities, rolling hills and a variety of seashores, Eastern MA is the place to be, and it's close to the other New England states. Snow and mountain wildlife to the north, vast woodlands and coastal wildlife (waterfowl and shorebirds) to the south, (as well as coastal hurricanes). Both regions are wonderful in their own ways. We are probably biased up here, but if you can take the snow and cold, any of the New England states (North of NY City) offers more variety in terms of both cultural and natural resources.
If you are a wildlife photographer I would think that New Hampshire would be the best place in the eastern US. Not only does New Hampshire have a great deal of wildlife, but you are north of the big population centers in the eastern US and Maine and the Atlantic provinces of Canada are relatively close to you. You will also find that you have four distinct seasons for shooting wildlife that include Summer ( lots of trees) Autumn ( great fall foliage) Winter ( snow cover mountains and fields), and Spring. Also in New England you have a beautiful seashore along the Maine / NH / Mass coast that includes both rocky forested shores and sand beaches and sand dunes. The migratory birds in the New England states are excellent both along the coast and inland.
If you decide to head towards the NH/Mass area let me know for some specific advice on a number of things including photo, business, and personal things to think about.
Jim Deasy
Watertown, Ma
Weather wise, I guess it is similar to Lausanne - warm summers and cold winters. Although I have spent quite a bit of time in Massachusetts and the US before living here, I still find the distances and amount of 'space' mind-blowing. Biggest complaint that I have is the beer but wine is good and cheap
If you do head this way and want any advice on the move etc. from someone in a similar situation, let me know.
Many Thanks
Dave
In my opinion, the further north that you can go, the better for shooting wildlife. I think you will be spending most of your shooting time in the Great north woods of NH, and the 100 mile wilderness in Maine. However, if you do this full time, and can concievably get away for a few days at a time, it's about a 2-3 hour drive from the NH seacoast to there, and provides you with pleasant access to ammenities and a resonable drive to the wilderness.
I may be biased though, as I'm moving to near Portsmouth NH in the next few months as well...simply a wonderful area!
Regards
Dave C