What are good resources for learning animal behavior for wildlife photography?
Asked 9/20/2020
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2 answers
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I want to approach wildlife photography more intentionally, and I keep hearing that understanding the animals is essential: behavior, diet, active times, seasonal movement, habitat, nesting or resting areas, and how to avoid stressing them.
What kinds of resources should I look for to learn this information? Are there specific search terms, books, websites, clubs, or local organizations that are especially useful for photographers? Is “animal behavior” the right term to search for, or is there a better way to narrow it to what’s most useful in the field?
I’ve also heard people suggest talking to biologists or other experts. Is that appropriate for a hobbyist, and where would I typically find knowledgeable local people?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
5y ago
2 Answers
3
I will restrict the answer to birds because that is what I am most familiar with. There are groups of amateur birders all over the world. In my area there are people who have records going back decades that show when and where they have seen particular species. They can tell you when they arrive, when they leave, what time of day you can see them, what environment you can find them in, what they eat, where they nest, etc. There is probably a club that sponsors frequent walks to see them. The leaders are usually quite knowledgeable. Go on those, meet people, talk to them and learn a lot. Many of the birding guides have information on behavior. The same people can point you to the most useful ones. Birds are special because they are colorful, there are few enough species that you can often ID them from one photo (unlike plants and insects) and they are easier to find than mammals aside from squirrels.
Originally by user14486. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user14486
5y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—learning species behavior is a very practical part of wildlife photography, and local sources are often the most useful.
A good starting point is local nature infrastructure: park offices, park websites, and visitor or information centers. Many parks publish guides to local wildlife, habitat, seasonality, and where animals are commonly seen.
For birds especially, local birding clubs are excellent. Experienced birders often keep long-term records and can tell you when species arrive and leave, where to find them, what time of day they are active, what habitats they prefer, and often nesting and feeding behavior. Joining walks led by local clubs is a great way to learn.
Field guides can also help, especially ones that include behavior and habitat notes, not just identification.
If you are interested in game animals such as deer or pigs, local hunting clubs can also be valuable sources of practical knowledge about movement patterns, feeding areas, and seasons.
Useful search ideas: your location + “watchable wildlife,” “birding club,” “park wildlife guide,” or the species name + habitat/behavior.
And yes, it is appropriate for a hobbyist to learn from knowledgeable people—club leaders, park staff, and local naturalists are often more accessible than trying to contact a biologist directly.
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