Home > Wildlife

Wildlife

My objective as a wildlife photographer is to capture the unique characteristics and behavior of animals in the wild, and to convey this to the viewer. In order to accomplish this objective, I try to learn all I can about a particular animal. Are they predators or prey? Endangered or abundant? Are they active primarily at night or during the day? What are the differences between male and female of the species? Is the animal generally solitary or part of a family group? Does their body have particular characteristic based on the age of the animal? Is the animal aggressive, shy, or indifferent to human presence? What are the warnings signs that the animal is becoming aggressive? How do the animals behave in a group? What other animals do they tolerate in their midst? What sounds does the animal make and does it make a warning call when it senses a predator? How close can I approach the animal without causing it to react to my presence or to take flight? These are a few of the many things that I try to remember when I am in the field! Reading and doing research on animal behavior is a critical activity for me to prepare adequately for safari wildlife photography in the field! I have purchased several reference books and read many magazines that deal with animals. The Internet is also a terrific source of information. The preparation and knowledge you bring to the field can make a big difference! Why is this necessary? I feel that the key to being a successful wildlife photographer is being able to anticipate what the animal will do and being ready to capture that moment.