Camo or Blind?

[Larry S.]

Steve recently presented some excellent tips and suggestions for getting closer to wildlife for better images. An interesting and informative discussion followed with members contributing some valuable insight. Never occurred to me, for example, that sunglasses might appear as large predator eyes. Or, pointing or your lens, intentionally or otherwise casually at animals gets their attention. Getting close to animals such as deer or bear is not as difficult for me as wild birds. I’m not talking about ducks being fed in in community ponds acclimated to people. Truly wild birds seem hyper tuned-in to what might be a threat…… and they’re gone.

So what do most members do for success with birds? Camo or blind? With camo you have “some” mobility whereas in a blind you are locked in to a location (unless you can pick it up and move while inside). With camo I try to match my clothes with the location I will shoot from. I usually wear a camo head-net over my hat also. I can easily see the EVF or LV screen through the mesh. Straight on stalking is not a good plan. You get ”made” instantly and bird leaves. Zig zag, as Steve and others point out, has worked occasionally…. but as the distance closes the critter gets nervous. Not good. I seem to have more success when I can sit low in bushes, brush, grasses, etc… and wait it out in a likely spot where I know they frequent.

One thing I’ve considered is camera camo. I don’t wave my camera around but I see others here with camo on lenses and bodies. You guys have opinions on this and I would like to hear about your thinking on this…..including blinds and wearing camo….

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[DRwyoming]

I use blinds for very specific subjects and situations like Sage Grouse on a lek. I personally don't wear camo much and prefer simple earth tone clothes but shoot with some folks that wear camo every time they go out. Some swear by it, some hate it, I'm more or less in the middle and still own some but realistically don't wear it much. I used to wear it a lot in the national parks mostly to avoid attracting attention of folks driving down the road when I'm working within sight of traffic and want to attract less human attention. I haven't done that in a while and it doesn't seem to impact how close I can or can't get to wildlife subjects though I know plenty of others that feel differently.

I have lens wraps on a couple of long lenses but it's more for bump and scratch protection than trying to hide the lens from wildlife subjects.

 

[PhilcTx]

So what do most members do for success with birds? Camo or blind?

Birds are generically programmed to fear/flee the human shape/form.

I've used a cheap pop-up blind like the Ameristep Doghouse, and feeders with black-oil sunflower or species specific preference seeds and/or a water drip. Add some strategically placed natural landing perches.

May wear a camo shirt in blind.

 

[Larry S.]

I use blinds for very specific subjects and situations like Sage Grouse on a lek. I personally don't wear camo much and prefer simple earth tone clothes but shoot with some folks that wear camo every time they go out. Some swear by it, some hate it, I'm more or less in the middle and still own some but realistically don't wear it much. I used to wear it a lot in the national parks mostly to avoid attracting attention of folks driving down the road when I'm working within sight of traffic and want to attract less human attention. I haven't done that in a while and it doesn't seem to impact how close I can or can't get to wildlife subjects though I know plenty of others that feel differently.

I have lens wraps on a couple of long lenses but it's more for bump and scratch protection than trying to hide the lens from wildlife subjects.

Dave, had not considered the secondary function on the lens wrap as a padded protection. Do you have access to buttons and focus/function rings?

 

[DavidT]

I use both. For camo I typically just do a shirt. I use blings for some birds and maybe some mammals.

I wrap my most expensive and used lenses but that’s for protection. I don’t have any with camo wraps. To me putting camo on a lens is rather pointless. The animal isn’t seeing the side of me, they are seeing this big round black eye looking at them.

Only reason I use a camo shirt is to help break up my silhouette and reduce visual movements. I do have camo wrap on one of my tripods.

I grew up hunting and camo makes a significant difference even compared to earth tones. Animals like humans are drawn toward movement. The more you can do to hide or reduce movement the better.

Example is don’t make fast moves with your camera, if moving on a tripod or bringing up to your eye from your side, slow is your friend! Once I’m on camera I maintain that position with no to little movement. It’s one reason I use tripods with a gimbal. I can maintain eye to camera and hands on glass for a long time with no movement.

A blind can reduce movement that is seen however I’ve recently moved to the blinds you can see out of not into. This allows me to see what’s going on around without having to have open ports to look out which causes me to move to look out of them.

 

[DRwyoming]

Dave, had not considered the secondary function on the lens wrap as a padded protection. Do you have access to buttons and focus/function rings?

I do, I've had wraps that impede control rings and then I just don't mount that section of the wrap as the rings are already scratch resistant. The better lens wraps usually have cutouts for all controls and things like drop in filters.

 

[David Berry]

Birds are generically programmed to fear/flee the human shape/form.

Is that correct?

 

[Larry S.]

I use both. For camo I typically just do a shirt. I use blings for some birds and maybe some mammals.

I wrap my most expensive and used lenses but that’s for protection. I don’t have any with camo wraps. To me putting camo on a lens is rather pointless. The animal isn’t seeing the side of me, they are seeing this big round black eye looking at them.

Only reason I use a camo shirt is to help break up my silhouette and reduce visual movements. I do have camo wrap on one of my tripods.

I grew up hunting and camo makes a significant difference even compared to earth tones. Animals like humans are drawn toward movement. The more you can do to hide or reduce movement the better.

Example is don’t make fast moves with your camera, if moving on a tripod or bringing up to your eye from your side, slow is your friend! Once I’m on camera I maintain that position with no to little movement. It’s one reason I use tripods with a gimbal. I can maintain eye to camera and hands on glass for a long time with no movement.

A blind can reduce movement that is seen however I’ve recently moved to the blinds you can see out of not into. This allows me to see what’s going on around without having to have open ports to look out which causes me to move to look out of them.

All good stuff David, I’m thinking blinds need to be in position a few days, maybe a week+ before using them. As you suggest, birds and all wildlife are sensitive to movement and even slooooww movement catches their attention. I try to only make moves when the critter‘s attention is directed on something other than me. I’ve tried the gimbal in the field with mixed results…. It certainly makes the day when you know where the birds are going to be… having a gimbal really keeps gear at the ready and in position without arm fatigue…. I have more handhold scenarios with the birds coming from 180 degree range. I’m thinking a blind might be my best bet for the mergansers which will be here in late December. I just can’t get these little ducks tight in a frame…

 

[ajrmd]

For the OP, because you're looking for some mobility, you may want to consider the Lenshide from Lenscoat. https://www.lenscoat.com/lenshide-photo-blind-c-55.html. What you wear or do is largely dependent on the circumstances. For mobility, either a lenshide or ghillie suit are good choices, though I have to say the ghillies tend to garner a lot of stares from other photographers/hikers. Depending on the species, movement, vibration, and even smell may come into play so without specifics, it's kind of difficult to offer additional suggestions. One of the challenges with long lenses (like hunting scopes) is the potential for glint. If an animal perceives any reflection from the lens, they will likely spook. Using a lens hood will help to reduce but will not eliminate the reflections. With camera lenses using a honeycomb ARD is not practical and will likely degrade the image.

 

[viper699]

I like having flexibility, so I don't use a blind generally, also I'm always on the go sooner or later. W/that said, there are blinds I have used to wait for birds that are cautious.
I don't use camo of any type. I own Nikon gear, so my lens is black vs white.

I've read from wildlife photographers, some who were hunters as well, the benefits of camo, be it on gear or clothing; I read various opinions some potentially supported by anecdotal field experiences, and some not. As a result of reading these I wear earth tone colors.

 

[Woody Meristem]

I virtually always wear camo when in forest or field and seldom use a blind because vision and movement are too restricted in my pop-up blind. When I'm sitting in one spot I prefer a ghillie jacket and drape a sniper's veil over my camera and monopod. The more you can break up the human outline the better, camo disrupts the general shape and a ghillie outfit does even better. If I sit and don't have my ghillie jacket with me I drape a sniper's veil over my head shoulders and camera. A camo face mask is always in my pack, unless you have dark skin the glow of the human face is like a beacon. Since I always wear glasses there's nothing I can do to reduce their shape and glare.

 

[Larry S.]

I do, I've had wraps that impede control rings and then I just don't mount that section of the wrap as the rings are already scratch resistant. The better lens wraps usually have cutouts for all controls and things like drop in filters.

Have you found it advantageous to put camo application on a camera body? I can see where there are benefits with the muting effect on long lenses but with all the controls that you need access to I wonder if that is a good idea…

 

[DRwyoming]

Have you found it advantageous to put camo application on a camera body? I can see where there are benefits with the muting effect on long lenses but with all the controls that you need access to I wonder if that is a good idea…

I've never done that.

 

[pnbarne]

I use camo most of the time. Get positioned before sunrise and just sit still. As I have gotten older I have added a camo collapsible stool to the kit

 

[Larry S.]

I virtually always wear camo when in forest or field and seldom use a blind because vision and movement are too restricted in my pop-up blind. When I'm sitting in one spot I prefer a ghillie jacket and drape a sniper's veil over my camera and monopod. The more you can break up the human outline the better, camo disrupts the general shape and a ghillie outfit does even better. If I sit and don't have my ghillie jacket with me I drape a sniper's veil over my head shoulders and camera. A camo face mask is always in my pack, unless you have dark skin the glow of the human face is like a beacon. Since I always wear glasses there's nothing I can do to reduce their shape and glare.

Hi Woody, I wear glasses also..but have never considered them a detection liability. I also have the ghillie thing I wrap myself with when I go out.…. Wife laughs hysterically at my appearance,…..so maybe the green heron, kingfisher, and mergansers are laughing too..

 

[Larry S.]

For the OP, because you're looking for some mobility, you may want to consider the Lenshide from Lenscoat. https://www.lenscoat.com/lenshide-photo-blind-c-55.html. What you wear or do is largely dependent on the circumstances. For mobility, either a lenshide or ghillie suit are good choices, though I have to say the ghillies tend to garner a lot of stares from other photographers/hikers. Depending on the species, movement, vibration, and even smell may come into play so without specifics, it's kind of difficult to offer additional suggestions. One of the challenges with long lenses (like hunting scopes) is the potential for glint. If an animal perceives any reflection from the lens, they will likely spook. Using a lens hood will help to reduce but will not eliminate the reflections. With camera lenses using a honeycomb ARD is not practical and will likely degrade the image.

Thanks for those suggestions. I will check out lenscoat/lenshide. Might be the frequent “Bigfoot” sightings are actually photographers in ghillie suits..

 

[Larry S.]

I use camo most of the time. Get positioned before sunrise and just sit still. As I have gotten older I have added a camo collapsible stool to the kit

Yeah, I know all about in position before sunrise. Not so much these days. Good recommendation when the body answers the call to camera…. Early light is the best.

 

[viper699]

Have you found it advantageous to put camo application on a camera body? I can see where there are benefits with the muting effect on long lenses but with all the controls that you need access to I wonder if that is a good idea…

I read your post, and saw this as an alternative to Lenscoat from an older post here.

This little fella was not bothered by the black body at all! Scroll to the very bottom.

Outdoor Photography Gear | Photographers equipment gallery

Bag Hides Beanbags Neoprene lens covers products designed for the outdoor photographer and wildlife watcher

www.outdoorphotographygear.co.uk

 

[MrFotoFool]

Blinds are great if you have access to them (the only one I have used was in Spain for Iberian lynx). IN MY OPINION, wearing camo and/or putting it on your camera is not useful (though I have never tried it). I think animals know you are there whether you have it or not. For me, a calm demeanor and not running towards them works wonders. If you do successfully get closer to an animal by using camo, once they do see you they will likely flee from being startled because they didn't know you were there and then all of a sudden you pop up too close. I think letting them know I am there and acting calm is better. Just my two cents, though I don't have much experience in deeply wild places.

 

[viper699]

Blinds are great if you have access to them (the only one I have used was in Spain for Iberian lynx). IN MY OPINION, wearing camo and/or putting it on your camera is not useful (though I have never tried it). I think animals know you are there whether you have it or not. For me, a calm demeanor and not running towards them works wonders. If you do successfully get closer to an animal by using camo, once they do see you they will likely flee from being startled because they didn't know you were there and then all of a sudden you pop up too close. I think letting them know I am there and acting calm is better. Just my two cents, though I don't have much experience in deeply wild places.

I agree, re calm demeanor. For some of the animals I try to shoot, the vibrations of walking is enough for them to leave.

 

[Larry S.]

Blinds are great if you have access to them (the only one I have used was in Spain for Iberian lynx). IN MY OPINION, wearing camo and/or putting it on your camera is not useful (though I have never tried it). I think animals know you are there whether you have it or not. For me, a calm demeanor and not running towards them works wonders. If you do successfully get closer to an animal by using camo, once they do see you they will likely flee from being startled because they didn't know you were there and then all of a sudden you pop up too close. I think letting them know I am there and acting calm is better. Just my two cents, though I don't have much experience in deeply wild places.

Interesting thoughts Fred. A lot depends on the species. Mammals, especially the deer family and bear will catch your scent, become skittish, and may flee without seeing you. In that respect you are correct, they know you are there. Pretty sure most birds do not react to olfactory signals. Maybe vultures detecting a carcass. As you suggest, a “nonchalant” or casual indirect approach avoiding eye contact works for many birds, maybe not so much with larger animals.

 

[Larry S.]

I agree, re calm demeanor. For some of the animals I try to shoot, the vibrations of walking is enough for them to leave.

….not to mention the mirror flap in SLR/DSLR cameras. (which I otherwise liked)

 

[GregWCIL]

Steve recently presented some excellent tips and suggestions for getting closer to wildlife for better images. An interesting and informative discussion followed with members contributing some valuable insight. Never occurred to me, for example, that sunglasses might appear as large predator eyes. Or, pointing or your lens, intentionally or otherwise casually at animals gets their attention. Getting close to animals such as deer or bear is not as difficult for me as wild birds. I’m not talking about ducks being fed in in community ponds acclimated to people. Truly wild birds seem hyper tuned-in to what might be a threat…… and they’re gone.

So what do most members do for success with birds? Camo or blind? With camo you have “some” mobility whereas in a blind you are locked in to a location (unless you can pick it up and move while inside). With camo I try to match my clothes with the location I will shoot from. I usually wear a camo head-net over my hat also. I can easily see the EVF or LV screen through the mesh. Straight on stalking is not a good plan. You get ”made” instantly and bird leaves. Zig zag, as Steve and others point out, has worked occasionally…. but as the distance closes the critter gets nervous. Not good. I seem to have more success when I can sit low in bushes, brush, grasses, etc… and wait it out in a likely spot where I know they frequent.

One thing I’ve considered is camera camo. I don’t wave my camera around but I see others here with camo on lenses and bodies. You guys have opinions on this and I would like to hear about your thinking on this…..including blinds and wearing camo….
View attachment 100914

Steve recently presented some excellent tips and suggestions for getting closer to wildlife for better images. An interesting and informative discussion followed with members contributing some valuable insight. Never occurred to me, for example, that sunglasses might appear as large predator eyes. Or, pointing or your lens, intentionally or otherwise casually at animals gets their attention. Getting close to animals such as deer or bear is not as difficult for me as wild birds. I’m not talking about ducks being fed in in community ponds acclimated to people. Truly wild birds seem hyper tuned-in to what might be a threat…… and they’re gone.

So what do most members do for success with birds? Camo or blind? With camo you have “some” mobility whereas in a blind you are locked in to a location (unless you can pick it up and move while inside). With camo I try to match my clothes with the location I will shoot from. I usually wear a camo head-net over my hat also. I can easily see the EVF or LV screen through the mesh. Straight on stalking is not a good plan. You get ”made” instantly and bird leaves. Zig zag, as Steve and others point out, has worked occasionally…. but as the distance closes the critter gets nervous. Not good. I seem to have more success when I can sit low in bushes, brush, grasses, etc… and wait it out in a likely spot where I know they frequent.

One thing I’ve considered is camera camo. I don’t wave my camera around but I see others here with camo on lenses and bodies. You guys have opinions on this and I would like to hear about your thinking on this…..including blinds and wearing camo….
View attachment 100914

IMO it’s not a simple one-size-fits-all answer. First there are two parts; What can you do to conceal yourself? And how will animals react if you don’t.
First and foremost is are the animals hunted? You can bet a white-tailed deer in Illinois reacts much differently than a human acclimated elk in Yellowstone.
I‘ve deer hunted and I can assure you they will snort and bolt at the slightest movement. Waterfowl are equally wary unless they are semi-tame park ducks.Some other birds are equally skittish - kingfishers come to mind.
Unless you move at a slow-motion snails pace, wildlife will see you. Sitting in “ambush” offers the best concealment whether you have a blind or not. But sometimes situations don’t allow that. As others mentioned, move slowly and at an angle.

 

[Marcus]

Literally any wildlife in the UK has been hunted and or persecuted beyond belief. For Owls in particular I like to break my shape with camo, I find you will get an extra few passes as they quarter a location, but if they spot you that is it generally and the chance is over. A hide is great if you know the location and it is not public (ie you have a permission) and want to set up a particular shot, ie the subject against a certain background, or a perch it regularly uses

 

[viper699]

….not to mention the mirror flap in SLR/DSLR cameras. (which I otherwise liked)

I did too!