Being accepted by wildlife in their natural environment is an experience that helps with photography, but also goes beyond that. This article is based on a recent encounter that my friend Alberto and I had while searching for a lovely species of bird in the mountains.
wild animals in their environment
When I talk about being accepted by nature, I’m not talking about pets, nor about creatures accustomed to human presence through food (a practice that should be avoided, as it is detrimental to their survival). I’m not even mentioning the encounters in city parks, where wildlife often lose some of their natural alertness. Instead, I’m talking about wild animals in the middle of their habitat, who are free to choose whether to move away or stay.
Approaching these animals for photography is a slow process, made up of waiting and carefully reading the signals the animals send us. First and foremost, it requires sensitivity and empathy stemming from a love of nature and a deep understanding of their behavior. This means avoiding sudden movements, keeping a low profile, and often lying on the ground to avoid imposing your presence. It is important to avoid any behavior that could be interpreted as violent, and instead convey a sense of calm and safety.
beyond camouflage
I will also explain the differences between this approach compared to photographing timid animals through invisibility. By using camouflage netting or working from inside a curtain, you can capture moments of wildlife that would otherwise be unobtainable. This is also an advantageous approach for wildlife photography. However, to be accepted and able to openly share a space with animals is something I enjoy on a completely different emotional level.
In Italy, where wildlife is often elusive, experiencing something like this is an even rarer and more valuable event. Such direct contact with nature, without any filters or barriers and at close range, provides immense joy and a deep connection with the world around us. It is a privilege that rewards every effort and every second spent in silent waiting.
Our encounter with the Eurasian dotterel
In this case, Alberto and I’s goal was to photograph birds feeding during their long migratory journey – an important moment that required the utmost respect. Therefore, the use of telephoto lenses is still essential as they allow you to maintain a safe distance, avoid disturbing the subjects and changing their natural behavior. But when the magic happens and the animals show that they accept our presence, it is possible to switch to smaller lenses. This allows for environmental shots that not only portray the subject but also tell the story of its connection to the area. I’ll show such a photo later in this article, but first, the Eurasian Dotterel:
Eurasian dotterel (Charadrius morinellus) is a small and attractive bird. The bird is an accomplished migrant, spending its winters in the plains and semi-deserts of North Africa and the Middle East. With the arrival of spring, it makes a long and arduous journey to its nesting grounds in the Arctic tundra and highlands of Northern Europe. Then, it returns in late summer, passing through the Italian Alps between late August and early September.
It is a small bird, about 20–22 cm long. Its feathers are a fascinating mosaic of colours, especially during the breeding season. The female’s feathers are more vibrant than the male’s (this is rare in the bird world). Its chest is a warm chestnut color with white and black stripes, while its belly is black. His back is greyish brown, which allows him to be perfectly camouflaged with the surrounding environment. A distinctive feature is the broad white supercilium which joins on the bird’s neck to form a sort of “V”.
During migration, the Eurasian dotterel crosses the Italian Alps, where it uses suitable ecosystems such as high-altitude grasslands to rest and feed. Often, it attacks crickets. One such migratory stop provided me the opportunity to observe and study this remarkable species.
a slow, patient dance
After watching them through binoculars, I very slowly approached a small group of three Eurasian Dotterels. The absolute priority was not only to avoid startling them – which would have sent them flying immediately – but also, and most importantly, not to disturb or stress them in any way. They were in the middle of an exhausting journey and every drop of energy was precious to them.
They were not new topics for Alberto and me; We have already photographed them several times over the years. And, as always, the first step was simply to observe them, to study their behavior. They were busy feeding, moving rapidly over the ground, hunting for their favorite crickets, which are found in abundance on the grassy, sunny slopes of the mountains. We were at an altitude of about 2100 meters.
After observing for a long time, we started to get closer, staying close to each other to avoid cornering them. The closer we got to them, the slower we slowed down, eventually moving forward a few centimeters at a time, crawling very slowly on our elbows and knees. After each meter there was a pause, during which we remained motionless, lying on the ground to minimize our size. Our mantra during the operation was to move slowly, stop, watch, stop, move slowly…
In these cases, it is important to carefully observe the animal’s behavior. Do they walk and continue eating normally? Or do they stop and look at you? Do they go away?
Gradually, our little friends began to realize that our presence posed no threat. There was no noise, no sudden movements, just two quiet and respectful human beings sharing their space. In their constant movement – seemingly random, but determined by the crickets they were hunting – they did not shy away from approaching us. In fact, on more than one occasion, they even came very close to us!
We reached a point where we could easily observe them without our presence influencing their behavior. They continued eating, conversing with each other and living their lives as if they were alone. It was a moment of intense emotion, an unexpected gift from nature. I also managed to take pictures of them with the 24-120mm lens that I brought with me to take some landscape shots.
conclusion
Being accepted by wild animals in their environment goes far beyond everyday photography, turning your experience into a wonderful relationship with nature. To be able to see with the naked eye and document their lives from a close-up perspective – not by hiding yourself but by being accepted by them – is a rare gift, born of patience, respect and empathy.
Those experiences teach us that humans are also part of nature, and that nature is willing to reveal its most intimate secrets to us, provided we treat it with only the humility and respect it deserves. For this reason, be careful: when you are in the presence of wild animals, whatever they may be, Always put the animal’s welfare firstNo picture is worth troubling them.
I hope you enjoyed this essay, and if you have any ideas, feel free to let me know in the comments!
