As the calendar turns and we head into a new year, I wanted to take a moment to pause and reflect.

This year brought amazing moments, wild places, unforgettable animals, and most importantly, incredible people.

It brought calm days and hard days.

It brought chaos and stillness.

It brought moments where everything aligned, and moments where patience was the only option.

We crossed oceans.
We waited out weather.
We searched when nothing showed.
And we were rewarded when the ocean decided to open its doors.

There were trips that tested us and trips that flowed effortlessly.

There were days that drained every ounce of energy, and days that filled the soul back up completely.

That’s the nature of this life, and it’s something I’ve learned to respect more deeply with each passing year.

More than anything, 2025 reminded me why I do this.

I do it to help people experience moments they’ll carry for the rest of their lives.

I do it to tell the real stories, not just the highlight reel.

And I do it because nature, the animals, and these places still have so much to teach us… if we slow down long enough to listen.

To everyone who traveled with us this year…

Thank You.

Your trust, curiosity, patience, and sense of wonder are what make these expeditions what they are.

To everyone who followed along through trip reports, Wild Minute videos, blogs, and the many stories I have shared, thank you for being a part of the journey, even from afar.

Your support means more than you probably realize.

As we step into the end of 25’ and prepare for what’s next, I’m carrying a deep sense of gratitude.

Gratitude for safe returns, for shared laughter, for hard-earned lessons, and for a year that reminded me just how lucky I am to live this life.

We just want to say thank you.
For the support, the trust, and the shared adventures.
Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season. Eli & Mari

We’ll take a short pause now, to rest, to reflect, to be present with family, before the next season begins.

The journey continues.

Just at a different pace for a little while.

Here’s to closing out 2025 with gratitude, clarity, and respect for everything the year gave us.

Happy Holidays, wishing each of you… Love and Light!

There’s something magical that happens when you get a bunch of wildlife people in the same place. Doesn’t matter if it’s at a bar, on a boat between dives, or sitting on folding chairs next to a camp fire, the stories start flowing.

We talk about animals, always.

The ones we’ve seen. The ones that got away. The ones we dream of seeing.

Someone brings up narwhals. Someone else chimes in about jaguars in the Pantanal. Suddenly we’re deep in a conversation about baitball dives in Baja, snow leopards in Mongolia, or the best way to photograph a crocodile without getting bit.

These are my favorite moments.

It’s not just about the animals, it’s about the people who love them.

People who think nothing of hiking for days, diving into cold water, or sitting still for hours just for the chance to be near wildlife. These are my people. And when we trade stories, ideas, and plans — it lights something up in me.

Then the camera talk starts.
What lens did you use for that shot?
Regular wide angle or fisheye?
“Do you go all-in for that curved look, or keep it classic and clean"

We geek out, no shame. Settings, sensors, shutters, sun angles. This is our language.

We swap gear tips. Locations. Talk about permits, timing, behavior, ethics, and instinct.
But more than anything, we remind each other why we do this.

It’s about connection. Not just to the animals, but to each other.

So here’s to the campfire chats.
The late-night idea swaps.
The “what if we went here?” and the “you’ve gotta see this place.”

If you’ve ever shared stories like that with me, thank you.
And if you haven’t yet… I hope we get to sit around and talk about wild things someday soon.

Final Thoughts on 2025

Wild Stories, Campfire Conversations, and the People Who Get It