Hello, It's been quite a while! I do hope you’re well and thank you for stopping by.
Let’s talk about photography hides and the satisfaction you get from using them. As many other wildlife photographers will tell you, the opportunity to capture anything that moves when out in the field is a bonus. I'd been on a mission to capture a Great Spotted Woodpecker for five years, they were either too far away or flew off as soon as they spotted me. That was up until my recent hide experience.
Don’t get me wrong, the challenge of capturing wildlife is all part of the photography journey. It does give you a real sense of accomplishment when you get that golden shot!
However, there are just better (calmer) ways of building your portfolio that makes wildlife photography a little bit more pleasurable rather than an ongoing battle. That’s why I am going to talk about my experience at hides and the opportunities they present.
I booked on a workshop at a Kingfisher hide and then a year or so later, I went to an incredible place called Windows on Wildlife in Dorset. Both of these experiences presented me with an abundance of wildlife and without a doubt they both offered exactly what was said on the tin, if not more.
Hides that cater for the needs of wildlife and photography are great locations for new or experienced photographers. You have the time to simply watch and fall in love with nature over and over again. You can play with your camera settings without worrying that you’ll miss out on the wildlife, and you can capture images you wouldn’t generally have the time to do out in the field.
You may ask, why is it so difficult to capture wildlife in an ordinary setting? There’s a number of reasons but I will point out the main ones; Wildlife is frightened by the noise from transport and is also spooked by humans or domesticated animals. This leaves wildlife no option but to live on high alert and in uncomfortable or unnatural conditions. They hang around because they are searching for food sources not because they like roadsides. Sadly, wildlife won’t hang around too long. That’s why hides offer the perfect surroundings as they are catered for the species intended. They are often far from interference and wildlife is more relaxed when it stops by.
It’s my mission to experience at least one or two hides each year. It may not sound like much but I can then have the best of both worlds. The challenge-based task followed by the skills-based task. Photography is a fun journey and you never stop learning!
Wildlife photography hides are great locations to perfect your skills and fall in love with nature many times over.
Thanks to;
Comments