Nocs Naturalist
Pedro Hernandez
Introduce yourself and what you’re up to these days?
Hey, I’m Pedro! Originally from Mexico, I now call Ontario, Canada, my home. I’m a passionate birdwatcher, wildlife photographer, and explorer at heart. I work as an Outdoor Guide and Nature Interpreter, sharing my love for nature with others. My wife and I run “Outdoor Commute”, where we share our adventures, photography, and passion for the outdoors. These days, I’m spending as much time outside as possible, and come spring, I’ll be volunteering with Birds Canada’s Marsh Monitoring Program, guiding kayak trips all summer, teaching outdoor workshops and courses, and hiking every chance I get.
What first sparked your love for the outdoors, bushcraft and how did that evolve into what you do now?
I’ve loved the outdoors for as long as I can remember. Growing up, we would drive outside of Mexico City almost every weekend.
My dad and I would go mountain biking, horseback riding, and I was always outside exploring and making things, so the spark
was always there. My dad was also into falconry, and I loved helping him with the birds and learning everything I could.
Later on, after a trip to Scandinavia with my wife, I started getting into bushcraft skills. That took my passion to the next
level and had me spending most of my time outside. After a few years, studying an Outdoor Program in Ontario, Canada, helped
me expand that even more. It led me to start working as an outdoor guide, getting deeply into birdwatching, wildlife
photography, conservation, and sharing my love for nature with others.
What’s one survival skill you think everyone should learn, even if they don’t spend much time in nature?
I believe that knowing how to properly light a fire in any weather conditions is a key survival skill. It’s essential for boiling water, staying warm, and cooking food, plus, it can make a huge difference in an emergency, even if you don’t spend much time in nature.
What’s been your most challenging or unexpected outdoor experience, and how did you handle it?
Definitely climbing to the summit of the Iztaccihuatl Volcano in Mexico. At 17,160 ft, it was a 16-hour grind to reach the top and get back down to base camp. The last few hours were brutal, we ran out of water, and our bodies were completely drained. But we pushed through, one step at a time, and the feeling of finally reaching the finish line was incredible. From then on, our mountaineering confidence grew, and we went on to climb 9 of Mexico’s highest peaks and a few summits in the Canadian Rockies.
If you could spend a week in any remote wilderness in the world, where would it be and why?
Sarek National Park in Sweden is probably at the top of my list. The place just looks unreal, with mountains, glaciers, rivers, and vast valleys. I’m a sucker for Nordic alpine landscapes. It’s also home to the Sami people, who have lived there for generations, and I’ve always been fascinated by their culture.
Your content really captures the art of slowing down and connecting with nature—what does that connection mean to you?
Birdwatching has honestly been one of the most powerful ways for me to slow down and connect with nature. Whether I'm watching birds through a window or out on a trail, the act of observing them encourages me to pause, listen, and be present. I also resonate with the Japanese concept of Shinrin-yoku or "forest bathing," which emphasizes the restorative power of nature. But slowing down doesn’t always require a forest, taking time to cook, practice a craft, or savor a meal can also help us embrace the moment mindfully. It’s all about finding simple ways to reconnect with ourselves and ideally with nature as well.
How has spending time outdoors changed your perspective on modern life and the way we interact with the natural world?
Spending time outdoors has really made me realize how much we need to be in the tangible world and not just glued to our
screens. Technology and our modern way of life make things so convenient, we're more connected than ever and have endless
information at our fingertips. But it comes at a cost. We're so dependent on technology that we often forget to actually
interact with nature, choosing instead to experience it from a distance, through a screen. We end up living moments with a
mindset that thinks of content before memories. And It’s not that taking photos or sharing content is a bad thing, there's
real value in that. It’s just about finding a balance between capturing moments and actually living them.
Look more through your binoculars and less through your screens!
Do you have a favorite piece of wisdom or philosophy that guides your approach to outdoor living?
I really resonate with the principle of leave no trace, not just in the literal sense of minimizing our impact, but also in how we move through nature with respect and gratitude. In a world where the human footprint keeps expanding, I think it's more important than ever to slow down, notice the small details, and strive for balance. It’s about building a relationship with the outdoors that’s rooted in respect, continuous learning, and stewardship. To me, it’s not just about visiting nature but actively working to preserve it, ensuring that the beauty we experience today remains for future generations.
We’re stoked that Nocs are in your toolkit. In what situations do you find yourself grabbing your Nocs? How are they helping your craft?
There’s not a single day I don’t have my Nocs with me. Whether it’s the Field Issue Tube that’s always in my everyday sling, the pair that lives in my truck glove box for scouting the roads, my Pro Issue model for birdwatching and wildlife spotting, or my work pair when I’m guiding outdoors, they’ve become one of the most valuable tools in my kit for sure.
Anything on your calendar that you’re looking forward to? We’d love to stay in touch! Where can we find you these upcoming months?
We’ve got a bird banding workshop coming up in August that we’re taking, and we’re really excited to learn more through that
experience. I’ll also be starting to guide local birdwatching tours around Hamilton, ON. On top of that, I’ll be guiding kayak
trips, leading a couple of multi-day expeditions, and camping as much as we can. It’s shaping up to be a super exciting summer
and fall!
Lots of good stuff ahead! You can follow along and see what we’re up to on our Instagram: @outdoor.commute.
