| Many potential wildlife photography subjects, | | | | and comfortable to carry extended on my |
| especially large mammals, rely upon their keen | | | | shoulder with camera mounted. This allows me to |
| sense of sight to detect and avoid danger, | | | | be prepared for unforeseen opportunities by only |
| pinpoint prey, and navigate their environments. | | | | having to spread the tripod legs, point, and shoot. |
| Whether a wildlife photographer is stalking or | | | | By covering your equipment with camouflage, it |
| standing, camouflage is critical to remaining | | | | serves both to minimize detection as well as |
| undetected and enabling minimal distance between | | | | protect your gear from the rigors of the field. |
| photographer and subject. | | | | Clothing is simple enough and doesn't need much |
| Most hunters utilize some degree of camouflage | | | | discussion here. I would like to point out that face |
| to establish advantage in the wild. By tailoring their | | | | netting is essential during summer shooting to |
| appearance to match the applicable hunting | | | | keep the bugs from your face and also serves to |
| environment, they take distinct advantage from | | | | camouflage your face and neck. Try to tailor your |
| the subjects of their hunts. Even when wearing | | | | clothing camouflage schemes to the applicable |
| blaze orange camouflage for safety | | | | environment. Consider the time of year and its |
| considerations, hunters gain advantage over large | | | | effect on surrounding colors. What's green in |
| game animals, like deer, that perceive orange as a | | | | spring may be yellow in summer, orange in fall, |
| dull color. Photographers can gain similar advantage | | | | and woodland or timber in winter. Even reed |
| in their outings by applying the same camouflage | | | | intense camouflage is available for swamp |
| principles in their preparation. | | | | settings. If nothing else, break up your appearance |
| Careful consideration should be taken to | | | | to mottle your appearance. An important |
| camouflage both you and your equipment. | | | | consideration is that laundry detergents may |
| Thankfully, sources of camouflage are wide, | | | | contain ultraviolet dyes and may make laundered |
| varied, and inexpensive. I rely heavily on | | | | items appear brighter and stand out against |
| Cabela's® and Bass Pro Shops® for much | | | | natural backgrounds to many animals. |
| of my camouflage, though many other creative | | | | If you've extensively scouted an area and plan to |
| sources should be considered. For example, I have | | | | stand rather than stalk, you may consider a blind. |
| picked up unique products from military surplus | | | | Portable blinds are available that readily erect |
| stores. Used camouflaged military items can be | | | | without much effort and offer access holes in the |
| tailored to your specific needs at a fraction of the | | | | sides for camera lenses. They're designed for |
| cost of specialty sources. | | | | hunters but perfectly fit the bill to conceal you |
| I picked up a waterproof rain coat at a thrift | | | | and your equipment from wild animals. I |
| store for only $3.00. By cutting the sleeves off | | | | emphasize that scouting is critical when operating |
| and using the elastic cord from the coat's waste | | | | from a blind and placement of the blind must be |
| band, I created camouflaged camera and | | | | carefully planned. |
| telephoto lens covers. Yard sales are also a | | | | Once you and your equipment are covered and |
| source of inexpensive camouflage material and | | | | colored to match your intended setting, you'll have |
| clothing, especially in communities near military | | | | diminished a substantial advantage most of your |
| installations with a high concentration of retirees. | | | | wild subjects might have had over you. Other |
| Don't forget Ebay! Countless camouflage items | | | | important considerations include: entering and |
| are available and with a little creativity will lead to | | | | exiting areas strategically (see my article, "How |
| distinct advantage in the woods. | | | | Google Earth Can Enhance Your Wildlife |
| For my tripod, I bought foam pipe sleeves from a | | | | Photography"), moving slowly and smoothly, |
| hardware store. They come in different diameters | | | | keeping a low profile, and being as observant and |
| so I could address the tapering of the leg sections | | | | patient as possible. I often read hunting magazines |
| of the tripod. I cut the foam to fit the leg | | | | and attend hunting expositions to garner |
| sections, glued woodland camouflage netting over | | | | extensive camouflage techniques. By utilizing |
| each section, and slid them on by opening the | | | | fundamental techniques, the need for expensive |
| precut slit down each foam length and sliding it | | | | telephoto equipment can be greatly minimized. |
| over the tripod leg. When complete, the tripod | | | | Challenge yourself to see how close you can get |
| was both difficult to detect in wooded background | | | | to wildlife in your area. |