Wildlife blind photography

Taking wildlife pictures from concealment

Of the two fundamental ways to do wildlife photography – stalking, and shooting from blinds – it is difficult to say which requires greater patience.

WHAT IS A BLIND?

A blind is an enclosure that provides a concealed camera position within, and overlooking, an animal’s territory. It is sometimes called a "hide" because it is meant to hide you from the animals. A blind permits picture-taking at closer distances to wild animals and birds than would be possible if you were open to their view, and is sometimes the only practical means of getting intimate animal photographs. The close observation afforded by a blind is invaluable in capturing behavioral photographs of wildlife.

A simple framework that will support a tarpaulin is often all that is needed for a blind.

USING A BLIND IS THE OPPOSITE OF STALKING

In a blind, you are more free to move around (depending on its size and number of occupants) without being noticed by animals, but you must wait for the wildlife to come to you. Stalking requires that you look for and approach your subjects, and involves many moments of total immobility to be successful.

In some cases, a photographer may combine the two techniques by using a small, mobile blind that is usually camouflaged to blend in and provide personal cover, and yet light enough to be lifted and moved to get closer to the subject. Many of the principles of both wildlife stalking and shooting wildlife from a blind must be observed by the photographer using this method.

In every case, it is important to blend in with the surroundings as much as possible. A wildlife-stalking photographer attempts to make his or her personal self part of the scenery, whereas the photographer in a blind wants his or her place of concealment to become accepted by wild animals as just another element in their habitat, and should also want to make it less obvious to other people, some of whom may trash it in your absence, unfortunately.

A semi-permanent structure or a small shack in the right location can be a comfortable, weather-proof blind. After a period of time, animals will get accustomed to it and consider it as just another part of their surroundings.

LOCATING A BLIND

Choosing the right location to set up a blind is critical. Typical sites are close to a watering hole, natural salt lick, an animal’s den, areas used for sunning or resting, in or next to a waterfowl basin or along a path that is well-traveled by the species you wish to shoot.

Distance

Perhaps the most important consideration is distance. You want to be as close as possible, but not so close that you disturb the wildlife or that they may sense your presence in the blind. If you are shooting with a companion and will likely exchange soft-spoken words every once in a while, make sure the blind is located out of range of the animal’s hearing. Keep in mind that some animals hear far better than others.

Avoid the traffic lane

Your blind should also be situated to take the best advantage of the ambient light at the time of day you plan to be shooting, but not if it means interfering with the animals’ traffic patterns. Some animals take the same route to and from a watering hole, for instance, and plunking a blind down in the middle of their path can disrupt the watering hole’s natural animal patterns. If the animal happens to be an elephant, the large tusker may well decide to disrupt the blind if it is in the way, and that is the last place you would want to be.

Locate downwind

Consider wind direction, and try to locate downwind from the setting. Many animals have a keen sense of smell and can be spooked if they detect your presence. The wind can also carry sound, and it is best to have it carried away from, rather than to, the animal.

Location for composition

Consider image composition, and ask yourself the following questions:
• Will the location of the blind provide suitable angles from which to shoot?
• What about the background? Will it be cluttered-looking, or provide so much camouflage that the animal will not stand out?
• Will you unavoidably have a particular tree, rock or over-hanging branch in every shot?
• Does the blind’s location cover the entire area in which the animal may be active?
• Is it near enough so you can fill the frame with a close-up and far enough to take in the entire area?
• Is there a better location relative to the position of the sun as it changes throughout the day?
• Does the setting look natural and wild from your position?
• Does it contain attractive natural features that will contribute esthetically to your pictures?

You may have to clear away heavy undergrowth from time to time in front of your blind, especially if the creatures you are photographing are relatively small.

How practical is its location?

Finally, think about the practicalities of your blind’s location:
• Is it likely that a large animal might move in and block your view? Maybe your blind should be built higher, then, or located elsewhere nearby.
• Could a number of animals raise an obliterating dust cloud that the wind will carry towards you?
• If the blind is placed in a dry stream bed, what will happen if it rains?
• Can heavy snow on overhanging tree branches or a possible rock fall strike the blind?
• Is it located where strong wind might destroy it, or lightning could strike it?
• Will your blind be between the sun and your subject in early morning or evening, causing you to appear as a moving silhouette to animals?

Be inconspicuous

It's best not to set up a blind in an open space. It will be less conspicuous if it has a background of forest or bush that camouflages its profile and keeps strong sunlight from making silhouettes of its occupants. Locating the blind in shade will make it less visible and is the best way to keep it cool in summer. Strange to say, being inconspicuous may sometimes mean being right out in the open. An example occurs when you use your car or truck as a blind. Many animals and birds have become accustomed to road traffic, and will often ignore a vehicle and its occupants, acting as naturally as if the vehicle wasn't there.

There is another consideration to your blind being as inconspicuous as possible. It will run less risk of vandalism or being stolen by other people who may come into the area. They can't do harm to it if they don't notice it.

Sometimes you'll come across a run-down shack that has been there forever. It may look decrepit, but it can be a great blind if it is in the right location to photograph wildlife.

INTRODUCING A BLIND TO AN ANIMAL'S TERRITORY

A blind should be introduced to an animal's territory in a manner that causes minimal disturbance to the habitat and to the animal's way of life. If you immediately locate the blind right in front of the setting you wish to shoot, it may be too close, too quickly. Wildlife might abandon the area altogether, or their behavioral patterns may become disrupted.

The best method is to install it a distance first, then gradually move it forward, in a straight line if possible, over a period of a week or several weeks, at times when the animals are away or sleeping. If the blind's proximity seems to alarm the wildlife, pull back and proceed forward again only when the animals' activities returns to normal.

A prefabricated blind, such as this one by Dillon Manufacturing [903-677-3141], can be placed and left in a "hot spot" for wildlife photography.

PERMANENT BLINDS

If you have access to a spot that is rich in wildlife photography opportunities, you might wish to erect a permanent photography blind there. (See A wildlife blind of your own.) The animals will become accustomed to it over time. It doesn't take long for them to become used to a new structure in their territory, particularly when it is non-threatening.

A well-made blind that is clean, sturdy, waterproof, comfortable, durable and can be sealed off when you are away is a real joy to have. You can build your own or you can purchase a new blind that has great features for the photographer from a number of manufacturers. Dillon Manufacturing (Telephone: 903-677-3141) is one such outfit. Another is Superior Fiberglass Hunting Products, whose dealer locations can be found by calling (940) 683-4792.

Some public spaces (parks, bird refuges, wetlands, etc.) provide visitors with sturdy photography blinds that can accommodate several photographers.

Many parks and wildlife preserves have blinds permanently constructed in known wildlife-viewing areas. Finding out whether a particular area or wildlife refuge has a photographer's blind is usually a matter of a phone call to the area’s wildlife management office or a quick check on the internet. Click here for US National Parks and here for Canadian National Parks, where you will be given the choice to view the site in either English or French, or here for Great Britain's National Parks, and here for German national parks. Want the big picture? Click here for information on the world's national parks.