When planning a trip, you’re probably more concerned with finding cheap flights, choosing where to stay, and working out what to see and do rather than worrying about mosquito bites. But while some travel risks are easy to overlook, the West Nile virus is one worth knowing about before you go depending on where you plan to travel. Spread primarily through infected mosquitoes, Wat Nile virus has been detected across much of the world, including destinations in the United States, southern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Asia. While the risk varies depending on where and when you travel, a few simple precautions can help reduce your chances of infection.
Every destination has its own language and it’s one that is spoken not through words, but through landscapes, weather and the subtle clues that reveal how nature works. The longer you spend outdoors, the more you begin to notice these patterns. A sheltered bay where the water suddenly deepens, a quiet bend in a river where the current slows, or a fallen tree creating shade along the bank all tell a story to those willing to slow down and observe.
Learning this secret natural language becomes especially useful for anglers. Wherever you travel, the species of fish may of course change, but fish are still drawn to the same essentials which include food, shelter, changing currents and protection from predators. Learning to recognise these features means you will need to rely less on blind luck and more on your understanding of the environment around you. Add in tools such as Fishbox, and the process becomes even easier since you gain access to useful maps, local conditions and community knowledge before you even arrive. Whether you’re exploring a mountain stream you’ve never seen before or casting from an unfamiliar stretch of coastline, knowing what to look for can greatly improve your fishing success. Here’s how to start reading the water like a tracker.
While seeing kangaroos is almost certain in many areas across Australia, the koala is much more shy and elusive which makes planning a necessity when it comes to seeing one in the wild.
San Francisco is known for its iconic fire engine red Golden Gate Bridge and cable cars but beneath the ever present fog you can find some of the state’s best wildlife locations.
