Question on getting close

[chauncey]

Getting close to general wildlife...do you try to avoid eye contact...does watching them make them more skittish?

[lauderdalems]

Best not try and get too close. See this post from earlier..

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=727381

[Stevie@JC]

Let the lens get closer not you

[res]

It all depends on the wildlife. Some wildlife can be dangerous. Stalking them can really be risky business. When it comes to deer and other types of animals, stalking can work but if you are making "eye contact", they are seeing to much of you. Try learning the habits of the "wildlife" you are pursuing and work at setting up blinds. Ameristep makes many pop up blinds that can work quite well. Even with them, you need to think about your target. Deer will spook when they see these blinds so putting some leaves or sticks around them really breaks up the outline and helps greatly in keeping them at ease. Some animals can be stalked but even then, exposing yourself can be a problem as they will usually spook and run. Learn to know the animals. Rick

[Marc Hathaway]

Getting close to general wildlife...do you try to avoid eye contact...does watching them make them more skittish?

Most wildlife doesn't see the same way that we do. Eye contact has never caused any problems for me. Movement and scent are the biggest concerns. Some animals just don't like the smell of people.

If the animal knows that it is being watched it is likely to be more guarded and tense. For me the best way to photograph large animals is to figure out where they want go and get there and setup before they arrive. Water holes, food sources and the trails between them are great places to set up and wait.

[chauncey]

I'm sorry, I should have been more clear up front. Nothing more dangerous than a deer or an egret.

Going directly at them seems to make them more skittish than does easing back and forth sideways and avoiding direct eye contact.

[hollis_f]

Going directly at them seems to make them more skittish than does easing back and forth sideways and avoiding direct eye contact.

I'd agree with that. Walking along a diagonal path that will take you past them definitely spooks them less than walking directly towards them. Trouble is, as soon as you stop they're off.

I prefer the sit and wait method. Either in a hide/blind where they're probably going to turn up. Or just sitting out in the open near your target. Quite often birds/animals will get used to you and will get much closer than if you move towards them. I guess they feel in control of the situation and, therefore, fell more comfortable.

Of course, most of the time they'll just amble off in the other directions.

[Tom Reichner]

I'd agree with that. Walking along a diagonal path that will take you past them definitely spooks them less than walking directly towards them. Trouble is, as soon as you stop they're off.

I prefer the sit and wait method. Either in a hide/blind where they're probably going to turn up. Or just sitting out in the open near your target. Quite often birds/animals will get used to you and will get much closer than if you move towards them. I guess they feel in control of the situation and, therefore, fell more comfortable.

Of course, most of the time they'll just amble off in the other directions.

Yeah, that

[rigwelder]

My personal favorite, if I'm in the mood to keep moving around, is just to act naturally. I have found that if I just walk and act normal, not trying to sneak around, animals tend to be a lot more at-ease.

My theory is that when I try and sneak around, they are viewing me as a "predator". If I'm acting normally, they may be suspicious of me, but unless I do something they don't like, they also don't see me as a threat.

Just move slowly and normally. I use it hunting with both a camera and a gun and have found it to be quite successful.

[lauderdalems]

Problem I had when shooting deer last week ( http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=733764 ) was the a fawn kept walking up to me and getting too close.