Wildlife Photography during the Pandemic

There are few things more discouraging to a wildlife photographer than being confined to one’s house. Fortunately, by taking some basic precautions, there are ways to enjoy our pastime without putting ourselves, or others, at risk.  My first COVID-19 safety rule is to take ALL photos from my car…

This Carolina wren is one of several that serenades me each morning…

Sometimes one can plan the location for photo opportunities by relying on past experiences. For instance, one of my favorite locations for observing a small stream often provides a variety of wildlife like these great blue herons…

One of the smallest species that I have seen this year is the Eastern phoebe...

My second COVID-19 safety rule is to begin each outing with everything I will need present in the car. Drinks, snacks, lunch and all photography gear should be loaded before leaving home. This will preclude stops that will bring one in contact with others. On the rare occasion when I may want to include people in an image it is important to park in a location with the desired view and an appropriate distance from the human subjects…

My third COVID-19 safety rule is that one must be prepared for unanticipated stops. Bathroom breaks and buying fuel are two typical examples. When leaving the car one should be certain to wear latex gloves, a mouth and nose mask, and to have disinfectant wipes available. In some places you may need to provide your own toilet paper. Anything that one will come in contact with (such as a fuel pump handle or toilet seat) should be wiped down with the disinfectant wipes. When returning to the car I remove the latex gloves, using approved methods, and seal all litter in a ziplock bag for proper disposal.

One can encounter wildlife while moving from one planned stop... 

to another...

That is what happened when I encountered this wood duck...

 and kinglet, early one morning before the sun had risen…

Often, wildlife makes an appearance when the light is less than optimal. I have heard of photographers who will not take a photo when this happens. I am more concerned with capturing the experience than creating a masterpiece, so I usually try to capture each encounter regardless of the light conditions. This group of whitetail deer crossed the creek before sunrise…

Shortly after the deer appeared this mink arrived...

The mink was intent on going up stream until it spotted the deer...

Once the deer left, the mink continued on it's way...

A few hours later the mink returned...

I stopped at the spot where I photographed the anglers a few days earlier and noticed some freshly stocked trout...

There were golden rainbow trout in the mix. A decidedly unnatural sight...

The golden rainbow trout is a selectively bred mutation of the rainbow trout. For a history of the species click here...

Wildlife photography can be enjoyed even during the challenging times that we are experiencing. Rember to make safety the highest priority. Follow the precautions recommended by the CDC and not those touted by the president.

Thanks for visiting, be well, and come back soon.