how do i get close to wildlife

[paul corr]

i have just bought a DSLR with a 70-300 is lens but i still cant get close enough to wildlife without them flying or running away.i dont want to carry a pop-up hide just the camera so when im out walking and i see some wildlife how do i get close enough to take a picture?

[Boddie]

Stand very still and let them come to you.

Its a skill that only few possess.

[Ukwildlifeo]

Im not sure where you live but a good place to start is urban parks where the wildlife is used to people and more approachable.

[tigger]

In nature reserves use the hide (if they have one) great place to start practising with close-ups. Then as Boddie says, sit and wait. I love sitting in the fields in the spring/summer (take a cushion to keep you comfy!). Usually takes about an hour before anything turns up but I've had deer, foxes, badgers all walking right past me... Make sure you are down-wind (ie the wind is blowing into your face away from the animal) so they can't smell you. It really does help.

Wear dull colours and choose clothes that don't crackle when you walk/move.

In the winter I tend to walk and take my chances when I can. Quite often I'll see a deer nearby (and am able to photograph it) or a fox will trot past or a buzzard fly over. It's all down to listening, watching and smelling... as you walk - and to be as quite as possible.

In the spring you will be able to practise on the insects (if you have a close-up lens) they are loads easier to photograph, as they don't spook!

It's a hobby that will keep you busy for ever!

Jane

[paul corr]

thanks for the tips i'll give them a go. i live in glasgow so there are parks,fields and counrtyside nearby. i've had some success with insects already and hope to do much more macro work.
thanks

[nutmeg]

Lots of good advice already.

Become familiar with places where you're likely to see particular things of interest and then, as already advised, stay still and wait.

For example, if you like reptiles then it's worth looking for them sunning themselves on paths or rocks. In some of the places I visit, I know that common lizards favour particular spots and if I go along when the weather's right and sit still then I'm likely to see them. Once they're sunning themselves it's then quite easy to very slowly creep up to get a better view. Even if you spook them they'll probably return eventually if you keep still.

[Boddie]

Its all down to patience. Take a good book and sooner or later you get lucky

[davecatt]

Hi Paul
When your out walking,take a mental note of any signs you may see such as prints,droppings,pellets,fur caught on fences or shrubbery. These places may be worth returning to at a quiet time and, as has already been said, sit or stand somewhere that provides a bit of cover, preferably with your back to the sun be quiet and wait. Patience and Perceverance are the key words.

Good luck
Dave

[momji1971]

I'll agree patience and persistance is the one trait you'll need to photograph wildlife.

That one time when a wild animal graces you with a close encounter, you'll forget instantly the cold, wet, fruitless days without an image!

Just get out and keep going. Good luck.

regards.
Stu.

[tigger]

I've got to admit to not being the most patient of people (except for watching badgers - weird that!) and I only have a cheap bridge camera with fixed lens, and max of 10x zoom. I've found that if I'm going to get ANY pictures I've got to be VERY close (or they are rubbish), so I now carry my camera in my hand (already turned on) when I walk - that way if I see something, and I'm quick enough, I can catch it.

However, this pic was taken when I was sitting watching the sun set at the top of a favourite hill (not waiting for any animals!). I was 3ft up an oak tree, sat on a little ledge. Obviously the wind was right and the male roe didn't see, smell or hear me. He grazed quite happily until sundown.



This one was taken as I walked round a deserted gravel pit. This roe youngster was lying in the grass. I stood still as soon as I saw it, and managed a few shots before it jumped away.



and this one was taken at Brownsea island at 6am in the morning. You can see that this sika can smell me, but because he can't see/hear me he eventually carried on feeding.



So my advice would probably be... go for a walk, enjoy the countryside and see what happens! It works for me....

Jane