Calson
Well-known member
With birds if I sit or stand still the birds will approach within inches. A lot of hunting clothing is designed to block the wearer's scent which is important for mammals. On the plus side the camo does hide food stains.
Are camo jackets/hoodies/pants REALLY worth it for bird photography?
- Thread starter James C.
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DRM
Well-known member
I think it depends on various factors. Some birds and other wildlife get conditioned to accepting human presence. Some do not. However, the clothes I wear definitely has a psychological effect on me in that if I am wearing a soft, silent camouflage I tend to move slower and am much more patient in the outdoors than I would otherwise be. I also live in Wisconsin and sit through all seasons of deer hunting. I much prefer the seasons that allow me to wear camouflage because of the psychological slowdown effect it has on me, but curiously enough I don’t think I see any fewer birds like chickadees, woodpeckers, or even owls, when I am just sitting there wearing fluorescent orange. Numerous times I thought birds were going to land on my rifle or muzzleloader with orange on. Turkeys will definitely stay clear of me wearing orange regardless of how still I am.
eaj101
Well-known member
I fall into the category of those who look for darker, muted earth tones rather than camo gear. As several have noted, I'm at least as concerned about other humans messing up my shots as scaring the animals. I've convinced they know I'm there anyway and as long as I'm quiet, slow, and unthreatening they ignore me. And how many of us even pay attention to whether we're upwind or downwind?
I rather more see the need for camo with blinds, especially those that you leave in place for a while, since you really don't want people finding and absconding with them.
Other than Leonard Lee Rue, I can't think of many well known wildlife photographers who relied on camo, and I can think of bunch who explicitly don't.
On the other hand, I'm always looking for a good comfortable vest with endless pockets and that's thick enough to protect things, and I'd buy a good one even it was combat camo
I rather more see the need for camo with blinds, especially those that you leave in place for a while, since you really don't want people finding and absconding with them.
Other than Leonard Lee Rue, I can't think of many well known wildlife photographers who relied on camo, and I can think of bunch who explicitly don't.
On the other hand, I'm always looking for a good comfortable vest with endless pockets and that's thick enough to protect things, and I'd buy a good one even it was combat camo
MangoYak
Member
My thoughts exactly. I find that if I stand, or better yet sit as still as a statue, birds don't notice me, at least not right away. But... lift my camera and they're gone! I have to conceal my arm movements if I don't want to spook them.
Roy
Well-known member
Unless you're prepared to sit and wait for the birds then camo isn't going to help much.
Just not wearing brightly colour clothing is probably enough...
I recently purchased some camo turkey hunting pants. Primarily because they had draw strings at the ankles to keep ticks from crawling up inside the pants. I treated them with permethrin, a repellent that you spray on your clothing, not yourself. Amazing stuff! Just spent 5 days photographing in a tall grass prairie (that is FULL of ticks) and not a single tick on me!! I treat my shoes, socks, pants and shirt. No ticks, mosquitoes or horseflies!!!
I think camo is helpful, as long as you don't move!
I think camo is helpful, as long as you don't move!
joe43
Well-known member
Unexpected movement is the most important thing to avoid. This is especially true for your hands and face. I always wear a long sleeved shirt with a neutral to dark color or camo pattern. I try and wear thin camo gloves, but I lost the pair I used to have. To cover my face, I wear a dark Tilley hat, sometimes with a bug net or camo material. I do this when in a blind or in my car. When walking, just dark or neutral colors. Never white.
If anyone has a recommendation for photo gloves for warm weather, please post some suggestions.
If anyone has a recommendation for photo gloves for warm weather, please post some suggestions.
James C.
Active member
Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions.
I think I may check out Cabela's for maybe a light jacket or hoodie for the spring and fall. But for the rest of the time, I'll just move slowly or be still.
I think I may check out Cabela's for maybe a light jacket or hoodie for the spring and fall. But for the rest of the time, I'll just move slowly or be still.
Here were two threads that talk about possible glove suggestions:
https://bcgforums.com/index.php?threads/glove-ideas.11936/
https://bcgforums.com/index.php?threads/gloves-for-winter-photography-help-required-please.3197/
--Ken
Madriver1
New member
I’ve been in that great store and admired the Sitka brand clothing. The camo may or may not get you more keepers, but you will likely be properly clothed for inclement weather.
Calson
Well-known member
On a side note I like the British shooting jackets for photography as they have large pockets to hold shotgun shells and these work equally well for photo gear like teleconverters.
For a number of different reasons I have never worn camo in about 60 years of trying to photograph wildlife. I rely on muted "earth" colors of green, brown or gray.
The animals are much, much more wary of odor and movement. Sound can also be an issue in certain circumstances but the forest is a noisy place so sounds can be more forgiving than movement.
I don't think camo helps much for birds either. If a hawk or eagle, for example, can spot a tiny mouse in the weeds from 300 feet in air I think it would not be fooled by camo.
BUT one of the biggest factors against the use of camo is that people think they are invisible and fail to take or observe the other important factors like odor, wind direction etc.
One of the biggest challenges from clothing is any that has been washed in a detergent with UV brightener that stands out like a sore thumb to many birds and other critters. I have commented on this subject before that I have noticed camo can be a negative in an urban environment where the birds are used to seeing all manner and color of clothing but seldom camo and when a camo clad person suddenly appears as they walk past a bush etc. it can be a jolt ... they are far more likely to have seen the pink shirt and purple shorts moving pas the brush so been alerted to something coming.
Joe Donahue
Member
Several folks have mentioned noise. Go with fleece or wool material which is amazingly quite compared to Synthetic material which is noisy. Also for those averse to the bugs, the spray permethrin lasts only a few washings. Insectshield in Greensboro NC has industrial strength permethrin treatments that last up to 70 washings. (there is even a label sewn in to keep track of the washes) You can buy their clothes or send in your own for treatment.
Turberticus
Well-known member
No camo here. I'm usually in jeans and a black or dark gray t shirt, as well as black arm sleeves plus a wide brim hat. I try to wear neutral/dark colors, but I'm more concerned about sun protection because even at 39 I've already had some basal cell carcinomas carved out of my skin.
I’m so far away it never matters what I wear. So no camo 
Camo makes it harder for the hunter to see you. They might mistake you for a giant buck or turkey 
Our old insect repellent non camo clothing from Columbia has long since had the treatment wear off and they and my camo have to be sprayed frequently. Then my wife told me our old Columbia stuff was wearing out period. So checked Insect Shield and they even had a 4th of July sale going on. Thanks for the tip
Calson
Well-known member
Permethrin is great stuff at avoiding tick and mosquito and chigger bites. I buy it by the quart and it is enough to treat all our outer clothes and socks. Costs about 5 cents per garment on average and lasts at a 2% dillution for 6 months or 50 washings. All good use on mosquito netting where it doubles its effectiveness.
I start with a 37% solution and if I 1 ounce with 9 cups of water the solution protects for 6 weeks or 6 washings. If I double the concentration using 2 oz. permethrin it will protect for up to one year. A 32 oz. 37% solution costs me only $40 and lasts us for several years. Much better than paying an extra $10 to $15 per shirt or pair of pants for the treatment and it is also a good idea to treat your socks.
I start with a 37% solution and if I 1 ounce with 9 cups of water the solution protects for 6 weeks or 6 washings. If I double the concentration using 2 oz. permethrin it will protect for up to one year. A 32 oz. 37% solution costs me only $40 and lasts us for several years. Much better than paying an extra $10 to $15 per shirt or pair of pants for the treatment and it is also a good idea to treat your socks.
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Ticks & mosquitoes are certainly an issue in many areas where I photograph so I will follow up your recommendations re permethrin. We also have leeches in their hundreds and I am wondering if anybody has experience with the effectiveness of permethrin on keeping these little blood suckers away?Permethrin is great stuff at avoiding tick and mosquito and chigger bites. I buy it by the quart and it is enough to treat all our outer clothes and socks. Costs about 5 cents per garment on average and lasts at a 2% dillution for 6 months or 50 washings. All good use on mosquito netting where it doubles its effectiveness.
I start with a 37% solution and if I 1 ounce with 9 cups of water the solution protects for 6 weeks or 6 washings. If I double the concentration using 2 oz. permethrin it will protect for up to one year. A 32 oz. 37% solution costs me only $40 and lasts us for several years. Much better than paying an extra $10 to $15 per shirt or pair of pants for the treatment and it is also a good idea to treat your socks.
I’m not sure if it keeps leaches off or not. I do know it does a good job with ticks and chiggers. I also use DEET around my ankles, knees and waist line when I’m think I may end up bushwhacking or in the deep stuff. Can’t be too careful with ticks these days.
Woody Meristem
Well-known member
It depends (classic answer). If you're photographing birds or mammals that are habituated to humans there's no need for camo. But if you do what I do, which is to photograph truly wild critters I believe camo makes a big difference. The bird or mammal may know you're there but the camo helps to disguise your human shape and movement. So, I always wear camo in the field -- it also helps to keep humans away. I prefer Realtree patterns and have always bought my shirts, pants and jacket on sale or at WallyWorld -- no need to buy expensive gear, my face masks cost $5.00 and my camo gloves were less than ten. Wrangler makes pretty decent camo jeans and cargo pants. I just picked up a ghillie jacket for $30. Sniper's veils are good to drape over your camera and tripod and are cheap, they can also be used for a quick blind (hide for you folks across the pond).
No camo. I just use dark clothing. Looking into getting Permethrin treated clothing.
Calson
Well-known member
Instead of DEET which is known to damage plastics and synthetic clothing I use Picaridin in a 15-20 percent solution which is just as effective in these concerntration and less hazardous to use. The military uses permethrin on uniforms and DEET on skin but then they are not concerned about the long term effects of the latter on their people. I like to be more cautious as to what I put on my skin.
And as a side note many sunblocks contain cancer causing chemicals and the best UV protection is with a full brimmed hat and dark clothing. The lighter the fabric the less UV protection it will provide. I saw lots of men in the waiting room of a local Mohrs surgeon who deals with skin cancers and they all had cancers removed from the tops of their ears which is partly from sun exposure but primarily from their wearing baseball caps that provided zero UV protection for their ears.
And as a side note many sunblocks contain cancer causing chemicals and the best UV protection is with a full brimmed hat and dark clothing. The lighter the fabric the less UV protection it will provide. I saw lots of men in the waiting room of a local Mohrs surgeon who deals with skin cancers and they all had cancers removed from the tops of their ears which is partly from sun exposure but primarily from their wearing baseball caps that provided zero UV protection for their ears.
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