Use of flash with nocturnal animals

[Tobyh]

Originally Posted by JeffH

Having said that, I've been watching the night-time activities of some local badgers recently (well away from their sett I might add ) and whilst they seem totally unperturbed by the use of red lighting over the area concerned, as soon as a flash is fired they run off - though they're back within a few minutes.

I'm told they'll eventually become used to it but so far I've taken just two photos in more than 20 hours of watching and I'd certainly be interested to hear of other peoples experiences of the use of flash with badgers.

Jeff
(Schedule 1 Licence holder for Kingfishers, Barn Owls & Avocets)

I'm lucky enough to have a visiting badger for the last couple of summers. I often used to sit on my back step and watch (her I think!) - lights certainly never put them off but the slightest noise or weird movement (they were within 30 feet) and they were off. As it appeared it was one individual mainly I started making clicking noises (trying to imitate the shutter) - eventually this one badger just ignored my shutter sounds and even the flash when it went off. Problem was that I really needed off camera flash to get a decent piccy - and when I tried this the limitations of camera (commander) to flash made it more awkward.

Certainly from my experience - if the badgers are in an area that noises from people are usual then likely they will not worry too much. If you are off in a wood somewhere then they will be very twitchy indeed and not sure if flash would be appropriate as they wouldn't be used to bright lights at night.

TobyH

[momji1971]

Interesting read in one of the photo mags. Andy Rouse has a column and he says he's given up using flash for nocturnal wildlife, just in case it affects them.

Don't do it myself but recently got back from Florida and everyone (including me) uses flash with extenders for bird photography.

Can just imagine some of the twitchers faces over here if I were to do the same!

regards.
Stu.