A Woman in the Wild: Honest Reflections on Nature Photography and Field Life
Note. If you’re someone who can relieve yourself anywhere, under any environmental conditions, this blog isn’t for you.
I grew up in a society where I was taught (like many women) to avoid public restrooms at all costs. I rarely used the bathrooms at school and always waited until I got home. Number two? Strictly reserved for the privacy of my own bathroom.
Over time, I came to realize that holding it in and staying dehydrated just to avoid a toilet was neither healthy nor sustainable. Little by little, I made peace with public restrooms: first at university, then during my hospital rotations while studying medicine. Eventually, I even had a favorite public restroom.
I don’t blame the mothers and grandmothers who taught us to be cautious. Public restrooms often aren’t clean, they smell bad, and you can’t count on toilet paper. That’s why so many women carry tissues in their bags as part of everyday survival.
Just when I thought I’d conquered this issue, another challenge came along: I decided to become a nature photographer. Not a studio photographer. Not weddings or portraits. No, I chose to wander through forests and jungles, ride rivers, and hike remote trails, places where public restrooms aren’t a problem… because they don’t exist.
Alejandra Maldonado in action, armed with a telephoto lens, patience, and a deep respect for the wild, capturing birds in their natural element. Photo: Federico Espinosa.
Learning to Pee in the Wild
Field life with Federico Espinosa, where love, nature, and practical problem-solving (like learning to pee in the wild) go hand in hand.
For many men (and some women), this may sound like a non-issue. But I’m sure I’m not the only one who struggles to relieve herself in the great outdoors. After nearly four years of field expeditions, I still haven’t had to go number two in the wild, but not for lack of urgency. It’s been a journey.
Let’s start with the easier challenge: peeing. Unlike men, we can’t just unzip and go. Some women have ninja-level squatting skills, but I don’t. I need to be relaxed. I hate being watched, touched by leaves, or visited by insects mid-squat.
At first, I drank less water and always peed right before heading out. But trying to squat ended in disaster, wet clothes and discomfort. Then someone told me about a portable female urination device (Family Portable Toilet), and it changed everything. It fits perfectly to the female anatomy and allows you to pee standing up. You simply empty it, wash it at home, and you’re good to go.
A word of caution: it looks exactly like a water bottle. My mom once placed it on the kitchen counter thinking it was a thermos!
Number Two: Still Unspeakable
Let’s be brief. I avoid coffee and high-fiber meals before field days. I train my body to go early in the morning and plan routes with possible bathroom stops. I always carry toilet paper and a small trowel, just in case.
One time, on a trip to Guaviare with Keeping Nature Tours, we were watching a harpy eagle nest. From 8 a.m., we observed the chick, hoping the mother would arrive with food. Hours passed. Then nature called, urgently.
I faced a hard choice: stay and risk an accident or leave and risk missing the shot of a lifetime.
I chose the bathroom.
Carlos, our guide, took me 2 km to his motorbike and drove me another 15 minutes to the main house where a bathroom awaited. The round trip took an hour. The whole time, all I could think was: “Did I just miss the shot of my life?” Luckily, the eagle never showed. I hadn’t missed a thing.
Pausing by a lagoon in Casanare, because sometimes, connecting with nature means simply sitting still and letting the wild world speak.
On safari in Africa, embracing the wild beyond borders, where each landscape brings new lessons in patience, awe, and adaptability.
Let’s Talk About Menstruation
If you’re a guy still reading this, no, I’m not exaggerating. Now let’s add periods to the equation.
For a while, I used birth control to skip my cycle during trips, with my gynecologist’s guidance. It worked, but my cycle became irregular. I did this one last time for a trip to Africa. My calendar suggested high probability of bleeding, and I didn’t want to deal with pads, tampons, or the menstrual cup, which I tried once and thought I’d never get out.
Eventually, I decided to stop messing with my body. I realized the discomfort was more mental than physical. I had to learn to flow with my biology. Being in nature is a privilege, and nothing should stop me from enjoying it, not even my own body.
A Journey of Adaptation
Today, I keep exploring and learning how to travel more comfortably and with greater freedom. These experiences (strange, uncomfortable, and empowering) have become a vital part of the journey.
In my next blog, I’ll tell you more about our adventures in the wild. For now, the exploration continues.
