Wanderer or sit and waiter?

[Ukwildlifeo]

On Wednesday I spent a good 3 hours sitting still watching and listening (and photographing) 100 or so common frogs calling and spawning. Now Im not really much of a sit and wait person as the places I visit tend to be busy and if I sat and waited the best I could hope for is a photo of and out of control dog just before it licks my lens
But I think I could get used to this sit and waiting patiently, rather than the usual wandering opportunistic photos, providing I can find somewhere to do it!
So my question is which do you do the most and which do you find more productive?

[Dutchess]

What an excellent question to pose! I shall follow this thread with interest.

I shall not vote as I do not actually get out there with a camera but if I did (or should I say, when I do) generally I would expect to be of the wandering type. When it comes to something like wild boar though, I know to sit and wait on a regular route would probably be most productive.

D.

[Richard G.]

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

So my question is which do you do the most

Oh, I'm definitely a bit of a wanderer I'm afraid, and a wriggler when I do try and sit still

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

and which do you find more productive?

Good things come to those who wait... eventually!

[Susie]

I am a real fidget so I find it hard to sit and wait sometimes but I know that if I get a good spot that is the most productive thing to do if I want to see wildlife. Someone taught me that if you want to see birds the best thing you can do is hunker down and wait.

There is one place I go to in summer which is fabulous for butterflies. I pick a spot in the sunshine and wait for them to come to me. While I am waiting I see foxes, deer, birds of prey, all sorts of things below me on the hillside and next to me there will be all sorts of creeping creatures amongst the plants. Can't wait to go back and waste the day there this summer!

[pressld2]

Agreed - it's a great question.

I'm very much a wanderer but far from convinced that it's the best strategy for photography. I see most of the wildlife half a second after it's decided to bolt so I'm lucky if I get a blurred picture of it's disappearing backside! But I very rarely go out with a target subject in mind. I just turn up at a reserve or other location, wander around and photograph whatever I see. The pros and the best amateurs don't do this. They know which species they are after, do their research, find a good location, improve it by removing distractions from the background, baiting if necessary etc., then they settle in and wait for as long as it takes.

On the few occasions when I have stayed quietly in the same place for an hour or longer I've usually been rewarded for my patience. I should do it more often.

Dave P.

[ron1863]

I'm a Winter wanderer as I can think of nothing more uncomfortable than sitting freezing my rear end off. In Summer I will gladly sit and wait for wildlife all day long but tend to give it a few hours and then go a wandering.

[natureguy]

hmm yes interesting thread. I dont do much photography at the moment either as I dont have a decent camera of my own, the only time I can take pics is when I go walking with a friend. He's more into walking than sitting and watching wildlife so the few I take at the moment tend to be on the move.
If I had the choice I think it would depend on where you were/time of year etc.
but I generally like to sit still, even when there's no wildlife around you could people watch or watch the sea etc so I would probably spend about 75% of the time sitting and waiting and the rest having a wander if I couldn't find anything.

[muckshifter]

Location, location, location ?

Depends where I've gone ... most are, wander over sit in this hide and wait.

Today, however, it was all wanderer ... with a rest or two on the benches.

[Dutchess]

Re. sitting patiently, Derek Harman, the great boar watcher, once said to me "it takes 30 minutes for the wood to forget you are there". Sound advice from a man who knows his stuff

[pressld2]

That's a good quote Dutchess, I shall remember that one. (And use it myself so that I sound wise and knowledgable! )

Dave P.