Opportunist or Stalker?

What kind of nature photographer are you?
Do you head out to a location for the day with a specific goal and objective in mind? Or, do you simply carry your gear along and take images of whatever comes along?

For me, it would definitely be a combination of both. Perhaps classifying myself as an opportunist ‘stalker’.
When I am out on a trip, specifically for photography, perhaps to Algonquin Park or the Rockies, I always try to plan the trips with certain specific goals in mind. While there, I also plan my intentions for the next day, generally while relaxing in the evening. While I usually have a general plan in mind, these things can change due to weather.  On extended trips, I always factor in 1 or 2 ‘recovery’ days, these can also come into play on those bad rain days.  It’s a perfect opportunity to review a plan and just get some relaxing in.

In the past I have frequently ‘stalked’ wildlife.  For me that entailed following deer/moose ‘runs’ to get a better idea of their habits and locations; a few times setting up actual blinds; frequently used ‘natural’ blinds of vegetation that was in the area; but most times I pretty much pick a location and allow the wildlife to become accustomed.

During mid-day, I find myself ‘scouting’ (or relaxing having a beer), this might be going to a location in mind with a compass to verify views of potential sunrises, sunsets, or Milky Way locations. It could also be scouting flower locations or potential wildlife paths.  This, in itself, could be considered stalking/scouting to me.  I also frequently pre-plan some of these locations at home with various tools and maps online. But nothing beats actually being there to see if the location has potential. I may also find myself sitting by a beaver pond for a couple hours. This allows me to get a ‘feel’ for the place and check for potential wildlife activity.

That’s not to say I won’t be taking pictures at any of those times. I’d be a fool not to take some images if a moose strolls by the beaver pond as I’m sitting there. However, I frequently don’t carry my gear or bother to take it out when I am on these ‘scouting’ missions. And of course, I have missed many image opportunities because of this. But having said that, generally I’m performing these tasks when the lighting isn’t optimal anyway. And honestly, for me, I end up never being very impressed with images taken at those times.

So in reality, those ‘missed’ photo ops aren’t really that. What they become is simply a great encounter with a wild creature that I was able to savour and enjoy without the encumbrance of ‘getting the shot’, and really, isn’t that why we do nature photography?