This photographer is wading the Buffalo National River to get closer to elk and otter. The river is very wadable. Wading the weedy gravel bars is much safer than bare rock, that can be very slippery. I wade the river a lot, I recommend felt-bottomed studded wading shoes to better grip the rock. The river is not very deep in most spots, so hip boots are enough. Many hike with over the calf length boots. Wading in makes very dramatic photos possible.