Heather Physioc, Outdoor Photographer & Writer

Artificial intelligence threatens real creativity everywhere.

Posted on March 9, 2025March 15, 2025By Heather

The explosion of readily accessible artificial intelligence tools has made it possible for anyone with … Continue ReadingArtificial intelligence threatens real creativity everywhere.

Abroad Outdoor Photography

Living Peoples, Not Dying Languages: Inside the fight to preserve and revitalize Quechua and other Indigenous languages in the Andes

Posted on January 23, 2025March 22, 2025By Heather

By Heather Physioc In a rustic adobe building in the Andean mountainside, cool light filters … Continue ReadingLiving Peoples, Not Dying Languages: Inside the fight to preserve and revitalize Quechua and other Indigenous languages in the Andes

Abroad Adventure Travel Domestic Essays Hiking Outdoor Photography

My top 24 photographs of 2024.

Posted on December 31, 2024March 9, 2025By Heather

In 2024, I took more than 6,000 photographs in 8 countries in all 4 hemispheres. From over 6,000 images, I’ve curated 24 favorites—just 0.004%—to share with you. … Read More >My top 24 photographs of 2024.

Abroad Short Stops

Portorož, Piran & Lipica: Experiencing the Istrian Peninsula & Karst Region of Slovenia

Posted on May 31, 2024June 10, 2024By Heather

Strolling along the boardwalk from the elegant Grand Hotel Bernardin in Portorož, the Adriatic coast … Continue ReadingPortorož, Piran & Lipica: Experiencing the Istrian Peninsula & Karst Region of Slovenia

Abroad Short Stops

Spring Scenes & Hidden Gems in Lower Town Zagreb, Croatia

Posted on May 26, 2024January 15, 2025By Heather

The air smells rich with the aromas of homemade cheeses, fresh pastas and pastries. Red-striped … Continue ReadingSpring Scenes & Hidden Gems in Lower Town Zagreb, Croatia

Abroad Adventure Travel Hiking

Experience Wonders of Wildlife and the Ancient Maya in Yucatán, Mexico

Posted on February 19, 2024March 19, 2025By Heather

https://kctrvlr.com/abroad/quintana-roo-yucatan-ancient-mayan-ruins-jungle-wildlife/ … Read More >Experience Wonders of Wildlife and the Ancient Maya in Yucatán, Mexico

Domestic Short Stops

Capturing Conservation: Animal portraits to inspire the next generation

Posted on January 1, 2024January 18, 2025By Heather

The year my dad made us “Friends of the Zoo” at our local Kansas City Zoo was one … Continue ReadingCapturing Conservation: Animal portraits to inspire the next generation

Adventure Travel Domestic Hiking Outdoor Photography

Photography from O’ahu, Hawaii in September

Posted on December 23, 2023January 28, 2025By Heather

Family and work travel can be unproductive for many photographers. Fast-paced itineraries and going with … Continue ReadingPhotography from O’ahu, Hawaii in September

Domestic

Animal Portraits from GloWild at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium

Posted on November 4, 2023November 13, 2023By Heather

When the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium announced their GloWild event would return, I jumped … Continue ReadingAnimal Portraits from GloWild at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium

Domestic Short Stops

San Diego Up Close

Posted on October 23, 2023October 25, 2024By Heather

I had already written an extensive post about recommendations for visiting San Diego, but since … Continue ReadingSan Diego Up Close

Domestic

Morning views in Gulf Shores, Alabama

Posted on September 17, 2023December 23, 2023By Heather

Admittedly, I underestimated coastal Alabama as an outdoor travel destination. But when the Outdoor Writers … Continue ReadingMorning views in Gulf Shores, Alabama

Adventure Travel Dog-Friendly Domestic Hiking

Mountain goats on the McCullough Gulch Trail hike in Colorado

Posted on September 12, 2023October 24, 2024By Heather

Something always stands between me and the goats. I haul all my stupid, heavy photography … Continue ReadingMountain goats on the McCullough Gulch Trail hike in Colorado

Adventure Travel Domestic Essays Hiking

River reconnection: backpacking the North Fork Skokomish River Trail in Olympic National Park

Posted on August 23, 2023March 9, 2025By Heather

Why would any sane, rational human being leave the comfort of their home with air … Continue ReadingRiver reconnection: backpacking the North Fork Skokomish River Trail in Olympic National Park

Domestic

Skåne, Sweden is for the birds.

Posted on June 28, 2023November 12, 2024By Heather

Tap photos to view full-size. Photos best viewed full-size on desktop computers. I recently traveled … Continue ReadingSkåne, Sweden is for the birds.

Abroad

Spring Comes to the Netherlands: Exploring Scenic Landscapes Outside Amsterdam

Posted on May 18, 2023May 29, 2023By Heather

My trip to the Netherlands began and ended in its busy capital, Amsterdam. I spent … Continue ReadingSpring Comes to the Netherlands: Exploring Scenic Landscapes Outside Amsterdam

Abroad

Barbados: A Tale of Two Coasts

Posted on February 9, 2023January 28, 2025By Heather

A fan pushes warm, humid air around the room. The first hint of hazy morning … Continue ReadingBarbados: A Tale of Two Coasts

Adventure Travel Domestic Hiking

Peru Creek: Crapping in a Bag & Other Stories

Posted on January 2, 2023January 28, 2025By Heather

This is a story about defeat, joy, and grief. It is full of adventure and misadventure, with a touch of prescience. Twists and turns. Bathroom humor. Summit season 2022 was unsuccessful, but mountain season was a hit. Buckle up; it’s a ride. … Read More >Peru Creek: Crapping in a Bag & Other Stories

Domestic Travel Tips

Voyageurs National Park in Northern Minnesota

Posted on August 8, 2022June 9, 2024By Heather

It appears that 2022 is the year I visit national parks experiencing extraordinary flooding events. … Continue ReadingVoyageurs National Park in Northern Minnesota

Dog-Friendly Domestic

Paradise Valley, Montana: A Cabin at the Foot of Emigrant Peak

Posted on June 25, 2022June 25, 2022By Heather

This story is continued from Western Kitsch: The Black Hills of South Dakota. After our … Continue ReadingParadise Valley, Montana: A Cabin at the Foot of Emigrant Peak

Domestic

1% of 1% of Yellowstone National Park

Posted on May 29, 2022January 28, 2025By Heather

June 15, 2022 – Yellowstone National Park Update: I published this story just two weeks … Continue Reading1% of 1% of Yellowstone National Park

Domestic Hiking

Western Kitsch: The Black Hills, South Dakota

Posted on May 21, 2022March 15, 2025By Heather

We daydreamed about visiting Badlands area for years. We were drawn by the mystique of … Continue ReadingWestern Kitsch: The Black Hills, South Dakota

Domestic Hiking

Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge

Posted on March 20, 2022September 10, 2023By Heather

I have been setting my sights on day trip destinations near Kansas City. I’m seeking … Continue ReadingLoess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge

Domestic

Four Seasons of Loose Park Photography in Kansas City, MO

Posted on February 2, 2022August 25, 2023By Heather

One landscape photographer pro-tip I received was to choose a place near your home that … Continue ReadingFour Seasons of Loose Park Photography in Kansas City, MO

Abroad

Working for Democracy and Peace in Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Posted on January 5, 2022January 28, 2025By Heather

This Thanksgiving I served as an international election observer in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. I entered the … Continue ReadingWorking for Democracy and Peace in Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Domestic

50 Miles on the Flint Hills Nature Trail

Posted on November 22, 2021August 25, 2023By Heather

My two fitness goals this year were to summit another 14,000-foot peak and do a … Continue Reading50 Miles on the Flint Hills Nature Trail