Page 3 - Words of WiNZdom

Research and field craft
Page 3

For a more select style of images it pays to study your
quarry, beginning with a single sighting to keeping a
complete record of dates, times and location. It also

helps to know if your subject is territorial, seasonal or
just passing through. Once you’ve compiled a dossier of
the particulars much of the hard work for getting an
ideal shot can be ironed out with a little background
reading; the use of any local knowledge or employing
the services of a guide.

One popular method of photographic capture for wild mammals and
birds is to bait them into a feeding pattern. Only do be aware of any
bylaws in force that prohibit the
feeding of wildlife in certain public

places, gulls on resort beaches for
example. If you’re setting up next to
a bird feeder in your own garden then
all well and good, simply hide-up and
have your camera ready. You might
also want to try the same thing

around some of the more established,
unintentional wildlife hotspots like rubbish bins, fish and meat markets
as well as waste disposal sites.

When it comes to deliberately placing food, birds are the quickest to

give up their images to this type of capture. Mammals are somewhat
slower but will generally develop a scavenging habit so long as the food
lasts. However it could take days, weeks or months before some of the

more wily ones become bold enough to allow you to photograph them
at leisure. Naturally winter makes the prospect of an easy meal far
more enticing for a hungry animal than at any other time of the year.

So don't expect the same response to bait once food for them becomes
plentiful throughout the summer!