I've been digitally photographing birds and wildlife for over seven years in the Wind River Canyon, and there are magical things you learn while getting to know wildlife that isn't in a zoo.  Mule Deer-My Friend-Wind River CanyonI've gotten to know this Mule Deer as a friend. When in the field my number one rule is "try not to scare anything."  This seems logical enough, but you'd be surprised the number of wildlife photographers that will use a flash on some small bird or an elephant!  Children and animals don't like a camera flash going off in their face; in fact no one really likes a flash in the face.  I personally try not to use a flash unit on a wild animal; it scares the crap out of most animals, and you loose that "Mother Nature-Look" that I love so much.  An animal that isn't upset or scared makes a much better subject to photograph; once that flash goes off in the bird's face you can bet that you'll not be getting anymore natural poses from that bluebird.

     Being the "kid with the eyes" I always was being taken along on hunting trips, and you learn an awful lot about animals when you are with some old-guy "great hunter," but they only have to get close the one time!  How to approach a wild animal means you have to learn about the behavior of that specific animal; will it eat you, or will it run away at the first sight of you and your camera?  Read, learn and observe about the bird or wildlife you want to photograph; for instance I would love to get the iconic photo of a grizzly bear, but they can and will eat you....so I don't yet have a grizz shot. 

     A Rufous Hummingbird is a far different bird to approach than a Bullock's Oriole for instance; with a hummingbird you go slow and can get surprisingly close to one (I've been "nose to nose" Rufous Hummingbird-Wind River Canyon,Wyoming - 1st Place - 48th Cody Art ShowHummingbirds of the Wind River Canyon, Wyoming, 1st Place-48th Cody Art Show. with many hummingbirds), but you will never get close to an Oriole; I'm sorry to say that they don't love humans as much as hummingbirds do, yet they both feed off my nectar feeders!  The Ravens in Yellowstone National Park are much easier to photograph in portrait than say the Ravens in Shoshoni, and Bald Eagles in the Wind River Canyon ecosystem will not sit still for a moment, unlike the Eagles you see on TV sitting around the piers in Alaska on that show!  Getting to know your model is important, whether that model is a blonde, or a Buck Deer.

     Now I'm going to let my readers in on a little known secret that I've used for many years here in the Wind River Canyon; I always wear the same color clothing when photographing my favorite animals and birds.  An animal will learn to relax when he sees you in the same coat or shirt, because now you are recognizable as not being a threat to them.  So my many hummingbirds always see me in my tan shirt and hat; they recognize me as not being a threat, and I can now move closer for that shot I wanted.  This trick has worked a million times, but does take time and patience, so go slow...."Patience rewards the Wildlife Photographer."   

     Another magical trick to get closer is to let the animal know that it's you again.  How I do this is stupidly simple; I use a "double-whistle" that is not too loud....like a bird of some kind.  I use this Wild Turkey Portrait, Wind River Canyon, WyomingWild Turkey Portrait, Wind River Canyon, Wyoming. "double-whistle" everyday of my life, and it works like magic.  After a while the birds or animal will remember that it's you again when they hear this whistle; "Oh yea, it's him again!" works just like the old friend coming over for a visit.  This recognition of my whistle works just like the "tan-shirt" trick, and in combination is my big secret for how I do what I do.  I was less than four feet from the Wild Turkeys on many instances, and they even responded with a gobble-gobble when I would whistle in the morning! like pets coming down for breakfast.  

     The photography equipment needed for birds and animals comes down to these two simple rules; long lenses and high frames-per-second, or what pro's call the burst rate.  I personally love my Canon 7D cameras, they are nothing short of modern miracles, or that's what my Grandfather would have thought.  As far as long lenses, buy the best you can afford, and read the reviews.  Some telephoto lenses cost as much as a new car, and I will never be able to afford the 500mm f/4, but we all can dream of having that lens you saw during that ballgame.  There are many affordable alternatives available though, and my longest setup is a Canon 300mm f/4 with a Canon 1.4 extender III, which is about one tenth the cost of the 600mm!

     These simple wildlife tricks work, along with tons of patience, knowledge and sunscreen you can get closer to Mother Nature; go slow and be careful....but use the best trick of all----try to use your brain more! and "Keep Your Camera Ready."

House Wren, Male, Portrait-Wind River Canyon, WyomingBirds of Wyoming