So you want to be a wildlife photographer

First Suimmer Loon

I now look back over my life and think of all the opportunities I had for some fantastic, world-class pictures, if I had just carried a camera along with me.  Today I have a new digital outfit and am ready to retrace some of my favorite places.  In addition, since I am relatively new to Arizona I am looking forward to shooting some wildlife here.  Not all of my interests are limited to wildlife but included are fauna, landscapes and just different photographic possibilities.

I have been an outdoorsman, hunter and fisherman my entire adult life and I will share some things you may want to know about where, when, and how to get good--no great wildlife photos.

First:  The two best times of a day for shooting wildlife are the early morning hours at sunrise and beyond, followed by the last hour of daylight around sunset.  These two windows last around an hour or two.  So don’t waste it.  Get set up before and break down after.  I am not saying you can’t see wildlife during the day, I am just saying that you can improve your chances by looking for them at these times.  Most animals are laying in the shade during the clear days.  Overcast and/or rainy days do bring the animals out (move) so don’t pass up a cloudy dreary day, just pay attention to your light or lack thereof.

Second: Know the habits of and study your animals.  Small game, squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, humming birds etc are neighborhood species and can generally be lured to a feeder for shooting photos.  NOTE: Seed blocks may not be allowed in your neighborhood. 

Larger, big game animals will need to be pursued.  These would include deer, elk, antelope, big horn sheep, wild horses and burrows, etc.  First, I would direct you to the Arizona Game & Fish Department to talk with a biologist who specializes in your animal of choice.  They can give you specific locations and tips on locating your quarry.  Next, plan your trip around the rut (mating season).  This is the time when the males of the species are “courting” the females by rounding up a group (harem) to breed.  The bulls, elk in this example are not very weary and, in fact, quite careless and unconcerned.  This will put the odds in your favor, as you will be able to get much closer so as to not spook the animals.  Here is an additional tip for you.  Stop buy a sporting goods store and purchase an elk call, coyote call, goose or duck call.  This will provide you an additional potential for bringing that animal/bird closer to you.  If you get real good at calling, you may need someone to sit behind you and watch in the other direction.  You wouldn’t want some big bull elk that has something on his mind other than posing for his photo, getting too close. Birds, waterfowl in particular are migratory and are available in large numbers in the late fall from about Thanksgiving past the New Year. Certain species, i.e. the wood ducks and teal migrate in September and early October.  Doves fly south in early September.  Look for water, potholes and cornfields for the waterfowl, sunflower fields for doves.  Turkeys are easily called up in the spring-April, May.  The best way to locate a flock of turkeys is to go to your designated area at night after dark and clap your hands, honk your car horn, use a crow call…the roosting turkeys will respond (gobble) to your “calling” and you can get yourself set-up under their roost tree before daylight.

Third; Now you are in place, camera is on the tripod and yo are ready for the action.  This now becomes a critical time, as there is a whole procedure of wildlife ethics to be aware of.  Rather than take the space here I’ll just direct you to a link of the North American Nature Photography Association. http://www.nanpa.org/home.html This association has a wonderful website in which to engage yourself.

This article may be getting too long for our newsletter.  There are many good books on this subject and I have only scratched the surface.  The subject is just fascinating; I hope you’ll enjoy it also.  The long and the short is there is a big market out there for good wildlife photography.  Good photos pay well, great ones pay exceptional. Cover shots pay the most so be sure to shoot plenty of vertical shots.

One final thought.  As you are sitting and waiting (which you most likely will be doing a lot of) for that ideal shot, look around you.  There will be small animals, birds, clouds, fall colors or spring flowers to photograph. Quite possibly this could turn a day of a no-show for your primary subject, into a day of numerous photos that wouldn’t have been possible had you not been out enjoying God’s little creatures.