A momma fox and her kits, a brown bear and her cubs, and bald headed eagles feeding their young, the natural nurturing of most species. My favorite nature shots have involved interactive experiences with he wildlife. To photograph nature, I have found it most effective to become part of the scene.
To become part of the scene, I become one with the animals, graze with them, kick the dirt, ad forage. One of the first times I died this strategy, I approached to within feet of a doe and two fawns. Wayne sat watching in awe from the car, shocked that the doe trusted me and I did not breach that trust. In much the same way, I had the opportunity to photograph a mother fox and her kits for three days. I had drawn an imaginary line I had made between us as a boundary and over the two days of photographing them, I didn't cross that line. On the third day, the perceptive mother fox, brought me a stick, scratched herself, and proceeded to drop it on the line I had drawn in my mind. A short time later, looking back to check a few times, she left me alone with her kits.
Another memorable experience occurred in a North Sulawesi jungle in Indonesia when a band of endangered Black Macaque monkeys allowed me to sit on a log amongst them. I would mimic their behavior, picking, and scratching, much like they were doing. I would get a couple of photographs and before making them nervous with my camera, would resume the picking and scratching.
For all nature shots, I get out there when the animals are active and the lighting is perfect. I have been fortunate to experience nature up close, by being in the right place at the right time. Dew glistens and flowers bloom, but if you are too late, the dew is dried and the flower has closed up for the day. I hope you enjoy stepping into the special times of the day and enjoy the shots I have captured.