Puma In A Snowy Torres-Del-Paine National Park
The unseasonal snow storm transformed the Torres del Paine National Park, returning it to winter and making for spectacular conditions for photography. Lying on the cold ground with snow falling, the female puma walked straight towards me. She was not alone, somewhere behind out of sight, a male puma was following her intently, hoping to mate with her. However, this intruder was not the dominant large male known as “Dark”, he would find her later. The approach of the female puma had triggered my body’s fight-or-flight response, the automatic reaction our brain’s trigger when we face perceived danger. This primitive survival mechanism floods our bodies with adrenaline and cortisol, causing our heart and breathing rates to increase and our muscles to tense, preparing us to either confront or flee from danger. Whilst this reaction is designed to protect us, its effects are not conducive to good photography. The local guide I was working with had briefed me to stay still and not to move, the puma would not attack as she did not see me as a threat nor as food. By controlling my breathing I brought the flight-or-flight response under control, relaxing my body, enabling me to photograph the female puma as she continued to walk towards me before she stopped and sat down in the snow. This was the my first encounter with a wild puma, whilst I had many more during my time in Torres-del-Paine, this was the most memorable.
Images made with Nikon Z9 and Nikon 600mm f/4 TC VR S lens. Handheld at 1/1600 second, f4, ISO 720 with +1.3EV.
