PODCAST EP. 176: Capturing Prairie Bird Souls with Photographer Noppadol Paothong

Noppadol Paothong is a nature photographer with the Missouri Department of Conservation and an associate fellow with the International League of Conservation Photographers, which is an elite group of the world’s top wildlife, nature, and culture photographers. For two decades, Paothong has been documenting America’s grassland grouse species and their fragile habitat. He’s published two large-format national award-winning books, Save the Last Dance about America’s grassland grouse and Sage Grouse, Icon of the West. He also has a large photo spread coming up in PF & QF’s Upland Bird Hunting Super issue next month. Host Bob St.Pierre connected with Paothong while he was on a family vacation in Minnesota. Episode Highlights: • Paothong explains how photographing three Missouri prairie chickens dancing on a lek 20 years ago changed the trajectory of his life. • The guys also talk about Jim Brandenburg’s photography and how his work inspires Paothong’s philosophy of really knowing the wildlife he photographs to the point of wanting to “capture their souls, capture their spirits.” Find Noppadol’s stunning photography on Instagram at @npprairiegrouse