Photographing Rabbits

[eideradmirer]

Hi everyone

I have seen many a good shot of rabbits and hares and wondered how the photographer achieves this, as everytime I have tried to do this myself they always seem to run away before I get anywhere close.

I have a 100-400mm lens on a 1.6 cropped sensor body, and also have recently bought myself some camoflague ex-army pattern clothes.

Has anyone got any advice or tips that would help me to photograph them? I'm mainly interested in photographing rabbits, and would really appreciate any advice.

Many thanks
Phil W

[John D]

Originally Posted by eideradmirer

Hi everyone

I have seen many a good shot of rabbits and hares and wondered how the photographer achieves this, as everytime I have tried to do this myself they always seem to run away before I get anywhere close.

I have a 100-400mm lens on a 1.6 cropped sensor body, and also have recently bought myself some camoflague ex-army pattern clothes.

Has anyone got any advice or tips that would help me to photograph them? I'm mainly interested in photographing rabbits, and would really appreciate any advice.

Many thanks
Phil W

Hi Phil,

Welcome to WAB!

Most forms of wildlife run or fly away when being approached. I would suggest you locate an area that rabbits frequent and approach very slowly preferably when no rabbits are in site. Locate a suitable area where you can sit under cover (using camoflague if available) under or beside a bush or similar and WAIT. This is where you need PATIENCE as well as a camera. Be prepared to wait for sometime( this goes for most wildlife) and you will likely be successful. However there are no guarantees success will be achieved every time. Best of luck!

John D
Zenfolio | John's Wild World

[wizzo]

Hi Phil! I would follow the same tactics as John. You need to use the same methods as a hunter and always stay downwind of your target. If the bunny's catch your scent when approching from the wrong direction, (and they will), then you can forget about getting a shot, or picture. Good luck and let us know how you get on please. Wizzo

[MeadsMan]

Any Sudden movements will also decrease your chances,make every movement slow,even putting your eye to the view finder ect.

[JaySteel]

I've yet to photograph any rabbits myself but they are on my list and I'll be using my 70-200mm f/4L and 1.4 extender. This will obviously give me a total focal length of only 280mm which is far less than your 400mm but I'm confident that I'll get some nice shots.

I've been to a few places where rabbits are very used to humans being around and are therefore far more willing to get within range. One such place was a private road in Whitstable along the coast. I was able to pull up in the car and sit there watching rabbits for ages at a range of just a few metres with the sunset behind them. They seemed unafraid as long as I stayed in the car. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me at the time as is always the case.
Another place in Gillingham enabled me to get so close that I was actually able to pick up and stroke one of the younger rabbits. Unfortunately on this occasion the sun had gone down and the light was just not good enough for decent shots.
But that would be my suggestion. Ask about and see if there's anywhere near you that has wild rabbits that are fairly used to people and will allow you to get close enough without having to stalk them.

Best regards,
Jason

[johnf3f]

If you want to take nice frame filling shots of Rabbits then go to Forest Farm near Cardiff. If you go there to photograph the Herons I can guarantee the Rabbits will turn up instead! They come in pretty close - often within the minimum focus distance of my 600mm!
There are also Foxes and as stated Herons, occasionally Egrets too, + many other species.

[scott tilley]

I would echo what has already been said. Its important to find a place where the rabbits or hares are, then try and track there movements.

For instance I have a great place for photographing hares. It is a woodland ride that borders a farmers field. I also know from spending some time at the site that just after the sun rises the hares will come out of the wood or out of the field and spend a large amount of time feeding on the woodland ride. This provides me with plenty of cover, however i have found with hares that they will run up the ride within six feet of you if you are just laid down behind the camera. Once the first dog walker appears then the hares either disappear into the woodland or head for the middle of the field.

Scott

[Naturenutz]

I would take a different approach and try to find a location where rabbits are used to people.you can spend hours and hours trying to get close to a wild country rabbit or you can search out locations where you can photo them with a 200mm lens,where they are used to alot of people in close proximity.
It may take some research but you will get your photo's alot quicker.Although there is nothing like getting that shot from a true wild wary rabbit .

[nightshade]

I noticed a lot of Rabbits in a field as I sat on the top deck of a bus. The cows from a nearby dairy farm walked back into the field after milking at the same time every day. So donning camo coat, hat, and gloves I walked in with them then lay down and waited, the youngsters ran around and stopped very close to me, the older sentries were edgy, then I found I had forgotten to load a new film, Doh! The more footpaths and people the more relaxed the Rabbits.

[david156]

Originally Posted by nightshade

I noticed a lot of Rabbits in a field as I sat on the top deck of a bus. The cows from a nearby dairy farm walked back into the field after milking at the same time every day. So donning camo coat, hat, and gloves I walked in with them then lay down and waited, the youngsters ran around and stopped very close to me, the older sentries were edgy, then I found I had forgotten to load a new film, Doh! The more footpaths and people the more relaxed the Rabbits.

I had visions of you in a pantomime cow costume!