The best times of day to photograph nature - whether it is a landscape or wildlife - is at and shortly after sunrise and just before to a little after sunset. Animals are most active at this time of day and the lighting is fantastic for landscapes. But being out with your camera at these hours frequently means you might be hiking in or out to your destination in the dark. A good headlamp can be indispensable for keeping you safe and giving you the flexibility to get that cool shot of the night sky if the opportunity presents itself. Here are a couple of things to look for when buying a headlamp:

• LED lights for long battery life, brightness and durability
• red and white LED lights (red is great for moving around near wildlife without disturbing them as much as a bright white light; it also helps reduce your loss of night vision)
• light weight and packable to easily carry in your backpack or camera bag
• bright beam but something with adjustable light modes to change the brightness for the situation
• comfort