Bobcat
captured by D5 / 800mm
For the last 24hrs, we’ve had rain here in the Sierra. Our snow is slowly melting under the 3+ inches we’ve received at the house. As I look out at the slush, I’ve been watching our critters. It might be blowin a storm out, snowing like mad and they tend to just go about their business of getting food and staying warm. But with the rain, they hunker down and try to wait it out. But as the day goes on and the need for food for calories to stay warm grows, they venture out grudgingly. And that’s how most spend their winter, seeking those precious calories for mere survival.
Long-tailed Weasel
captured by D4 / 600mm
And as wildlife photographers, we need to recognize this basic yet vital biology and not get in the way of this activity. You can summarize their daily life simply with, calories in – calories out, basic survival. In the winter time when food is not as plentiful in snow bound habitats makes this basic biology a challenge. If photographers hamper critters seeking this basic life requirement, there is the direct issue of not getting those calories. You can take it further because photographers can stress a critter further stressing the calories equation.
Mule Deer
captured by D3 / 200f2
Photographing critters in winter is grand quest. When you think about all we do to keep ourselves comfortable and camera gear happy, you can quickly appreciate the critters challenge. We can come back into warmth and food with ease. Our subjects, well they are still out there looking for both of those things on a hourly bases. When looking to make those great photos then, remember this simply thing when you tread with care. No photograph is worth sacrificing the welfare of the subject.