Smells and Highlights

[nightshade]

I met a group of 30-somethings on their way to get photos of deer.They were well equipped and wore camo.
I smelt them before they were close enough to speak to and their earnest faces along with ungloved hands semophored their whereabouts
Their clothing and hair smelt of cooking odours and tobacco smoke it was like being downwind of a transport cafe,what did they think they were doing.
Simple muted colours are ok, wear a hat and gloves,cover the Canon/Nikon logo on your camera strap,watch the wind direction,lookwhere you are putting your feet, keep your outer clothing smell free ,leave it in the car or at least air it thoroughly the day before use.

[big bill]

You meet them all some people do not have a clue they think because they have the gear they will get the pics they are after.
Not realising that that afteshaves/perfumes and smelling nice are a no go for stalking wildlife,as is the outline of the body and hands as the light will reflect of bodyparts like a search light shining in the animals eyes.

[Dan Salter]

Sadly they will probably lose interest due to not getting results before actually working out why due to experience.

[RichBrew]

Originally Posted by big bill

Not realising that that afteshaves/perfumes and smelling nice are a no go for stalking wildlife...

The same problem the Americans had in Vietnam. The Viet Minh could smell them from a long way off.

RichBrew

[tigger]

I think it's a real shame that people don't realise these things... they will really miss out. Partly to blame are all the TV programmes who make it look really easy to watch wildlife. Why don't they explain about smell, etc more??? I have special clothes that I only wear for wildlife watching (they are very "woody" smelling now...), plus dark gloves, scarf and hat. The other thing that people forget is how much noise some clothes make... rustling every time you move, zips, etc - all my clothes are soft and silent. I think that one of the best ways of watching wildlife is to sit yourself in a field, get yourself comfy and wait. Eventually all sorts of things will come along... and hopefully they won't take too much notice of you! You just need patience...

[Dutchess]

Totally agree, Tigger. This sort of thing is second nature (no pun intended) to those who have a real affinity for these things. It sometimes stumps me as to how much has to be taught to the most well-meaning, enthusiastic wannabe before they have a chance of relating to wildlife (or any animal, come to that). Some have a natural feel for it, others don't. I certainly wouldn't rule out those who do not *know* instinctively, but it can make life more complicated!

I was told by an old man of the woods; "it takes half an hour of stillness before the forest forgets you are there". Wise words.

[galanthus]

The first time I eva saw a Fox, my partner and I had sat next to a pile of stinkhorn in woodland so that we couldn't be whiffed- desperate measures lol. Tho we got used to it eventually.

I too get annoyed when peeps come into hides or woodland and you can smell their perfume or smoke before you see them. We tend to leave then as nothing comes around for ages

[nightshade]

Originally Posted by tigger

I think it's a real shame that people don't realise these things... they will really miss out. Partly to blame are all the TV programmes who make it look really easy to watch wildlife. Why don't they explain about smell, etc more??? I have special clothes that I only wear for wildlife watching (they are very "woody" smelling now...), plus dark gloves, scarf and hat. The other thing that people forget is how much noise some clothes make... rustling every time you move, zips, etc - all my clothes are soft and silent. I think that one of the best ways of watching wildlife is to sit yourself in a field, get yourself comfy and wait. Eventually all sorts of things will come along... and hopefully they won't take too much notice of you! You just need patience...

The daftest thing is when you go on a bat walk ,you are listening with your detector and all you hear are zips and keys and man made clothing tapping,jingling and rustling people just do not realise how sensitive animals hearing and sense of smell is.

[Dan Salter]

Originally Posted by nightshade

The daftest thing is when you go on a bat walk ,you are listening with your detector and all you hear are zips and keys and man made clothing tapping,jingling and rustling people just do not realise how sensitive animals hearing and sense of smell is.

At least on a "Bat Walk" those wallys that turn up in multicoloured scarfs, flourescant ski jackets, orange shellsuits and red rucksacks wont be of any harm!

[tigger]

I get a real feeling of "them and us" from this discussion. Surely the people going on these walks are at least showing an interest? I was one of them a few years ago. I didn't know much when I started but I met some really helpful people (who were very patient with me), read a lot of books and sat for long periods of time in empty fields....until eventually I learnt. OK, some people may not know how to dress or act, but we all have to start somewhere and learn somehow and at least they are taking an interest, and without them Wildlife trusts probably couldn't exist...

[Alfry]

And then there are the ones you can hear, in the quiet place where you have sat for an hour or more, tramping their way from the car park to the hide, oblivious to everything and everone else that they may fall over in there headlong rush. Such a shame that some who care the most should miss so much.

[mh68]

Smell doesnt make much odds if you do it properly and approach from upwind, far more important is to learn to be quiet, both when walking and when sitting in a spot. I smoke, quite heavily as it happens, both at home and when i`m out in the countryside, but it hasnt stopped me getting very close views of animals with a good sense of smell, such as Badgers, Foxes etc.Mates of mine who dont smoke get no closer to wildlife than I do,often less so due to lack of stealth.

Mark H