Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-14

Taking pictures OF Wild AMI
mails in their natural habitat
presents a real challenge to
the photographer. This blood
less form of hunting provides
all the thrills of the chase
without the unpleasant after
math.
Most people associate cam
era hunting with a trek into
PARKWAY jungles after big
game in the best Frank Buck
tradition. But we are think
ing of the sort of camera hunt
that is within easy reach Of
any one with a fast-shooting
camera and a way to get out
into the nearby countryside.
And the will. Of course. to
rough it a bit and be willing
to spend a few hours tramping
through field and woods.
Taking pictures of wildlife
is no snap. It takes a lot Of
doing. If you think some peo-
pie you know are camera-shy
just wait till you have a go at
trying to get picture on film
of a deer, fox. squirrel, rabbit,
or other wild creature that de-
ponds upon speed and con-
cealment to keep out OF the
clutches of natural enemies.
Good Time Now to Stort
Now is the best time of year
to go on a hunt with a cam
era. The hunting season is
over and there is no danger OF
being winged by an overen-
thusiastic hunter who might
mistake you for the type OF
game that you are tracking
down with your camera. And.
since virtually all the leaves
have fallen from tree and
bush, you can spot your
quarry at a greater distance.
For another reason, the coats
of fur-bearing animals are at
their top best at this time
when the weather is cold.
There are always those who
doubt that much in the way
of wild life exists close enough
to our city to make such a trip
worthwhile. Actually though.
woodland and field. even in
the close vicinity. abound with
wild animals of many sorts.
You can blunder along like a
Sherman tank for hours with
out seeing a sign of life. but
if you go at it the right way.
a seemingly never-ending pa
rade of wild life dramas will
unfold before the lens of your
camera.
Let Them Come to You
There are two ways of get
ting pictures of wild animals.
One is by seeking out the SUBJ
jects and the other is to wait
for them to come to you.
If you are woodsman enough
to read the signs the latter
method may be the best. A
watering place where the
creatures of the woods come to
drink is usually an excellent
place to wait with your cam
era BY closely observing the
ground you will find small.
beaten paths through the
grass or leaves that point the
way of passage of animals
over a period Of time. Tiny
footprints in the sandy bank
of a stream or spring are an
other give-away for a good
camera position.
AS we have indicated, ami
mails are canny and wary crea-
lures. They have to be to re-
main alive in the constant
battle for existence that never
abates. They are constantly
alert for any unusual sound,
smell, or sudden movement
that may point the way to a
xuoifipo r1rodo for
So, if you choose to wait
for the animals to come to-
you, you will have to be ex-
tremely patient, quiet. and
absolutely still for long Pc
RODS. And you will have to go
without a smoke which would
be a dead give away of your
presence
If you must make any
movement make it very slowly.
When you spot an ap-
preaching animal bring your
camera up to the shooting po-
sition very gradually and
slowly. Any sudden movement
and your subject will be gone
In a flash.
The odds are that the slight