PHOTOGRAPHING WILDLIFE IN NATIONAL PARKS
Whenever you are photographing wildlife in a National park, you need to be fast and ready because animals either run away from you or at you. When you're not in the fetal position protecting what your mother gave you, your camera needs to be in your hands and have its settings in the right position for the current lighting with the correct lens attached. Animals do not wait patiently for you to switch lenses no matter how much you beg them.
It is also important to understand body language of an animal. Deer and bison may appear to be docile creatures, but both are known to kick and charge humans. The picture of the badger to the left is example of me not getting mauled by animal that could crush me if it wanted to. "He" was hunting a little ground squirrel when I saw him in the Lamar Valley of Yellowstone. I hopped out the car with the camera ready. I got some great close ups without any threat to me. When his hunt failed, I jumped back into the car for fear he would take his anger out on me. Now, if you run into a wolverine in the wilderness, just cry. They can climb over mountains with their claws.
It is also important to understand body language of an animal. Deer and bison may appear to be docile creatures, but both are known to kick and charge humans. The picture of the badger to the left is example of me not getting mauled by animal that could crush me if it wanted to. "He" was hunting a little ground squirrel when I saw him in the Lamar Valley of Yellowstone. I hopped out the car with the camera ready. I got some great close ups without any threat to me. When his hunt failed, I jumped back into the car for fear he would take his anger out on me. Now, if you run into a wolverine in the wilderness, just cry. They can climb over mountains with their claws.
MY FIRST BEAR ENCOUNTER
A few years ago in Yellowstone, a grizzly bear walked onto the trail about fifty feet in front of my wife and I. Do bears poop in the woods? I don't know, but I sure did! Despite my initial shock and intestinal discomfort, I had the camera in hand and was ready. However, it is very difficult to get a well focused shot when I can only hold the twelve pound camera with one hand and have to use the other hand to prevent my wife from running away (which would have turned both of us into bear snacks). Fortunately, the bear was well fed and not looking for anything too challenging.
Wildlife will never do what you want it to do. The key is patience and luck. Rarely can you create the ideal environment for the image. The skill comes from making the best with what nature provides.
Wildlife will never do what you want it to do. The key is patience and luck. Rarely can you create the ideal environment for the image. The skill comes from making the best with what nature provides.
