The McGills have been enjoying wildlife photography and videography for over nineteen years now. They have learned many, many lessons throughout those years. Sometimes it just takes trial and error to really know what it the best way to approach your subject. The McGills have learned that one must study the behavior of their subject…where it lives, where and when it feeds and where and when it has its young. These are all important factors to help you locate your subject. Patience, timing and luck are also major factors in your success! Getting the perfect shot though is entirely up to you.
That is why the McGills have made Seney National Wildlife Refuge their home away from home. It is wonderful to have access to this amazing sanctuary. With minimal traffic and no floatation devices allowed on the water, SNWR is a haven for wildlife and wildlife photography!
The McGills traverse the Refuge monitoring where the wildlife is located. They also monitor when certain species are breeding and nesting. This allows them to know when to anticipate the arrival of the offspring of that species. Teresa journals all of their findings but only shares them with the Refuge staff. Too many unscrupulous photographers not concerned with the safety of the wildlife they do not appreciate and understan...sadly. By returning to the same area at different times of the day and seasons, you learn when what is where!
Here are a few of the McGills valued thoughts on how to approach wildlife. First…dress appropriate…camouflage or various shades of khaki and army green helps you blend into your surroundings. Also wear long trousers and boots…you never know what you may be walking into. Also the bugs are not as attracted to camouflaged clothing as they are to bare skin!
Next…stay as low to the ground and the subject as possible. Wildlife can feel intimidated by the stature of its ‘attacker’. Try to limit eye contact…if your subject doesn’t think you are watching it, it won’t feel as nervous.
Very important is to be quiet!!! The less noise and commotion you cause…the better! No quick movements or erratic behavior!
Study your subject…the McGills had been monitoring a pair of common loons on G Pool at SNWR. They knew when the loons had started to build their nest and when they starting sitting on their nest. Knowing that loons incubate their eggs from 28-32 days, the McGills were very lucky to be there the morning at G Pool hatched their first egg! They had woken up to mediocre weather but Teresa felt that this would be the day. So they headed into the Refuge to sat and wait. The clouds started to clear as the sun rose. The female was on the nest when the McGills arrived. They waited and watched. The male loon came to check on her. An eagle flew over and the male went into the yodel call warning ‘enemies beware’. The female started to fidget. She was getting more and more hyper acting. After the male warded off a snapping turtle in the area he came over to the nest. The female slipped off the nest to reveal their first chick!! The parents started in with the laughing call. It was like they were announcing to the world the arrival of their first baby!! It was so awe inspiring!! It is a moment the McGills will never forget! They continued to monitor the nest for over eleven hours that day. They were rewarded with the sight of the chick in the water for the first time, riding its momma’s back and the birth of the second chick. All this was possible because they knew how to be ‘invisible’! They also believe that wildlife connects with us all on a certain level. Those loons knew the McGills and knew there was no threat from them. Believe it or not, something very special happened that day, for whatever reason.
