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Wildlife
is Watchable!
We've all had it happen...You look up from the trail just in
time to see an animal dive out of sight -- a swoop of a wing,
a flash of antler, a slap of a beaver's tail.
The truth is, most animals see and hear and smell us long before
we catch their drift. They size us up, and depending on how far
away we are and how we act, they decide whether to stay, defend
themselves, or flee. Fighting and fleeing from us rob them of
precious energy.
Fortunately, there are simple ways you can help blend into an
animal's surroundings. In return, you'll be treated to a wildlife
show that makes your heart pound and your senses hum.
The ultimate wildlife watching experience is behavior watching
- viewing animals without interrupting their normal activities.
Instead of just a glimpse, you have an encounter - a chance not
only to identify the animal, but also to identify with it.
Fade into the woodwork:
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Wear natural colors and unscented lotions. Remove glasses that
glint.
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Walk softly so as not to snap twigs.
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Crouch behind boulders or vegetation to hide your figure or break
up your outline.
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Try not to throw a shadow.
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Remember that your reflections may be caught in a pool of water.
Let animals be themselves:
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Resist the temptation to "save" baby animals. Mom is
usually watching from a safe distance.
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Let animals eat their natural foods. Sharing your sandwich may
harm wild digestive systems and get animals hooked on handouts.
These animals may eventually lose their fear of cars, campers
or even poachers. As a bonus, you'll learn a lot about an animal
by watching what foods it prefers.
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Let patience reward you. Resist the urge to throw rocks to see
a flock fly.
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Savor the experience of being in an animal's home. Absorb all
that it can teach you about living gently upon the land.
Stick to the sidelines:
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Use binoculars or zoom lenses to get that close-up. Aim for pictures
of assured, dignified animals; instead of stressed, panting victims.
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Give nests a wide berth. Although you mean well, your visit may
lead a predator to the nest or cause the parents to jump ship;
exposing eggs or young to the elements.
Come to your senses:
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A wildlife encounter is a spectrum of sensations. Deepen awareness
by tapping your sense of smell, taste, touch, hearing and sight.
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Focus and expand your attention, taking in the foreground and
then switching to take in the wide view.
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Use your peripheral vision rather than turning your head.
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Look for out-of-place shapes - horizontal shapes in a mostly vertical
forest or an oblong shape on a tree branch.
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Watch for out-of-place motions - the flight of a bird, for instance,
stands out against a backdrop of falling leaves.
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Look above and below you. Animals occupy niches in all the vertical
and horizontal layers of a habitat.
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Make "mule ears" - cup your hands around the back of
your ears to amplify natural sounds.
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Heed your instincts. If the hair on the back of your neck stands
up (a vestige of the days when we had fur), an animal may be near!
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Silence can speak volumes. Animals may fall silent when a predator
is passing through an area.
Be easy to be with:
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Relax your muscles; animals can easily detect tension.
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Make yourself as small and unassuming as possible.
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Move like molasses: slow, smooth and steady.
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If you must advance, take a roundabout route, never directly toward
an animal.
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Avert your gaze; animals may interpret a direct stare as a threat.
Think like an animal:
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Imagine how the animal you are seeking spends its days. Check
field guides to find out about life history and preferred habitats.
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As a rule, the border between two habitats is a good place to
see residents from both places.
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Look in high-visitation areas: trail intersections, perches, ledges
overlooking open areas, and drinking sites.
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Take note of the season and guess whether the animal will be shopping
for a mate, feathering its nest, fattening for the winter or preparing
to migrate.
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Figure out the best time of day for viewing by imagining an animal's
daily schedule. When does it feed? Nap? Bathe? Drink? Dusk and
dawn are usually good bets.
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Factor in weather. After a rain, for instance, many animals emerge
to feed on displaced insects, flooded-out rodents, etc.
Click on these tips for more information:
- Information provided by the Colorado Division
of Wildlife, with additional information from Urban Wildlife Rescue,
Inc.
Animal
Control Home | Colorado
Div. of Wildlife
Urban
Wildlife Rescue | Table
Mountain Animal Shelter
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