Wanderer or sit and waiter?

[Nettle Runner]

Excellent images Nick.
Many years ago, in an earlier garden, I suspected I had voles, as the signs were everywhere, but I never saw them. Your patience has paid off and is a good lesson to us all.
Les

[Spyroviper]

I'm a bit of both.

It depends on the situation, for instance if I am trying to capture a Chaffinch or Song Thrush, then I will slowly creep around to try and first locate them and then get the perfect angle for the lighting and shot.

If I am taking sea birds or waders, then I will generall wait for them to approach me closer to nab the shot. Unless I am after the Sanderlings, those little critters keep running away

[pressld2]

I did a bit of the sitting and waiting yesterday (except I was standing up).

Just above the visitor centre at Minsmere is a feeding station next to a gorse bush. The gorse was in flower and made a very interesting perch for the birds who were queueing for the feeders.

As I approached the birds all scarpered but I repeated the mantra "It takes 30 minutes for the forest to forget you are there", got into a decent position and settled down to wait. It took more like 30 seconds for the braver souls to return.

I got goldfinch, greenfinch and chaffinch...



Blue tit and great tit...



And robin...



Nearly had dunnock too but he stayed in the shadows under the bush so I didn't get a clear shot.

Dave P.

[PMG]

Superb pics Nick - well worth the observation and the wait

I think its already well documented what a 'waiter' I am - a read thro the comments in my Gallery will tell just how much and how long and how cold and stiff I get just patiently waiting

I do go wandering as well - more often in a vehicle than on foot in places where I know it will pay off - like the Western Isles where most of my best shots have been ambushed out of the campervan window after trolling slowly around little roads on high alert

It all boils down to where and what - but I am very prepared to sit for however long - even when I was fit, young and in my 'undamaged' 20's I still had the patience (which is funny cos for everything except photography I'm the most impatient blustering person you could find - once the camera is in my hands dead calm falls over me .......)

My latest wait paid off last week at Channonry Point for the dolphins (4 hours sat in a biting wind on that shingle beach (and I still don't have great shots - the dolphins didn't leap out of the water once during the hour and a half they were in front but at least on this our 4th visit to Channonry they did actually turn up!)(and perhaps more importantly mum-in-law got to see them - on this her first visit - lucky or wot?!)

Pauline

[Words]

Mainly a wanderer, but a repeat wanderer around sites I tend to know will produce results. Unless, that is, I'm after something specific in which case I'll sit it out. Dragonflies, I'll sit and wait for them. And I'm more likely to sit when it's warm

[The Bad Astronom]

I whould have to say I'm a waiter was sat down for over 2 Hours the other Day didn't really get any good shots thought :/ However if I start to wander I scare everything of, mabe I should just stick to Astronomy hehe

[RoyW]

[quote=NickCantle;446647]I think I'll take the time to 'sit and wait' some more where I can, but not before doing some watching first [quote]

I think that this sums up the best way of getting up close to most birds and animals. You need to know where they are, and which perches etc, they are using before sitting nearby and waiting - otherwise you are relying on as much luck as you are when wandering around. Good fieldcraft helps if you are a wander but this can't beat learning your targets habits and then waiting in a suitable spot.

Roy.

[Maccattack1]

Sit and wait ,let them come to you , but don't sit somewhere stupid.

malcolm

[acherontia]

A bit of both really.
We have a hide in the garden and it's great to be able to have a brew and sit on cushions there but I have been known to lie in itchy grass -behind brambles etc - it's getting up again that's the hard part!
Wandering about I alwayd have the camera on the ready and have managed a few grab shots or even more deliberate shots that way.

Acherontia