Linda Dalton Walker
Awarded Photographer of the Year in 2020 by the Wasatch Camera Club, Dalton’s photography is an offering of Utah’s deserts, bird refuges, and macro images of nature. Recently Linda has journeyed to Hawaii, Scotland, Italy, and Alaska to broaden her photographic collection.
Growing up in a family of seven children on a small family farm, ingrained in me many qualities I need as a woman wildlife photographer. Hard work, competition, and the love of our natural world were my daily dose of bread. Our family vacations were typically camping trips wherever my father could find a spot down a dirt road. We were told to find a spot to sleep for the night. We’d grab our bags and find the perfect spot under the stars. My parents would sleep in the back of our station wagon with the youngest of the group. These types of experiences fine-tuned my senses to look for wildlife and the beauty of nature. I always had a camera in my hands as a young girl, and it was put to many a test.
As I raised my two sons, we were always hiking, biking, skiing, camping, and backpacking just the three of us, or sometimes just two of us. Now, I’m off doing the same things with my granddaughter. Her favorite part of camping is sleeping in the back of my Toyota Tacoma that I purchased to make sure I could safely drive down the gnarly dirt roads and to also give me a place of retreat. One morning she awoke with a shrill because of 8” of new snow from the night before on a late June morning. A yearling moose ran through our campsite, and I was able to capture an image of the moose in snow-covered trees.
Most of the time I don’t realize that what I’m doing is so unusual for a woman wildlife photographer in her 70’s. I’ve always been fiercely independent and curious about our world. Being a woman wildlife/nature photographer in a male-dominated field isn’t easy. Many times I find myself in an awkward conversation where I am being talked down to or explained things that I already understand. I was a competitive marathon runner for 45 years, so that, in addition to my upbringing, helped me further my development of independence, assertiveness, and competitive nature that is often associated with wildlife photographers.
I know my limitations, and I am dogmatic about staying in shape so I can continue doing what I love. My routine includes a four-mile daily walk, strength training three times a week, and continuous balance work. As a wildlife photographer, I know I’m going to be walking with a large pack over uneven terrain, getting into and up from a squat, or lying prone on the ground.
Of course, there are challenges.. setting up camp by myself isn’t easy, and I’ve had to devise some tricks to help me. I download all the maps and directions beforehand because invariably service is lost. Most of my meals are cooked ahead of time, so I can focus on other more important things. I always trust my gut, and if something doesn’t feel safe, I leave. I carry a Garmin In-reach with me, so I can let my family know that I am safe daily. It gives my supportive husband peace of mind.
My truck, which I call Beauty, is equipped with a Decked system that includes drawers for storage, a cozy mattress, a sleeping bag, black-out curtains, and a pink and maroon blanket my mother made for me years ago, so I’m ready for adventuring and sleeping well at night. I also purchased a canopy with sidewalls that I gently place over about 8” of the back of my truck when I’m camped. That way I have an enclosed shelter for inclement weather and a private area to change and cook my meals. I cook on the tailgate and have a perfect little table and chair that I drag around.
I’ve traveled to many places by myself; sometimes I meet up with a photography tour group, but then it’s still just me and the group of photographers. Many times, I’ll arrive earlier than the group so I can explore the region beforehand. I’ve been to Scotland, Italy (three times), Switzerland, Alaska, Zion National Park, the Sawtooths in Idaho, Joshua Tree National Park, and Utah’s west desert, just to name a few. Contact me if you’d like more information to help you get out there and enjoy the world in a different way. I’d love to see more women wildlife photographers enjoying all that there is to offer in this world.
