Ethical Wildlife Viewing

It is a great privilege to spend time in nature and around so many amazing critters. With this privilege comes a great responsibility to treat these encounters with the respect and care they deserve so as to not impact the lives of these wild animals.

None of the photography on my page is done with captive animals, All are free to move about however they wish. It is always my goal to not impede the movements of these animals, and to let them dictate how any wildlife encounter will unfold.

I have studied the lifestyles of many types of animals - habitats, diet, and potential threats, in the hopes of blending into their natural rhythms as a casual observer. It is also crucial to be able to read an animal's body language for any signs of stress or discomfort, and depending on the scenario, this may require me to remove myself from a certain setting. 

Extra care and attention must be given to young animals, especially those still in the care of a parent. A negative interaction could cause the young to be abandoned. An adorable picture is not worth the potential loss of life for the subject.

The most important aspect of any wildlife encounter is to maintain clean surroundings and not leave any trace of human food, regardless of the animal type present. The introduction of human food can alter the any animal's mindset, leading to disrupted hunting and feeding patterns, irregular breeding cycles, or even aggressive behavior often seen in larger predatory mammals that have been influenced by human food.

Time spent as an observer in nature is a gift. Join me in preserving and protecting our home for all of its inhabitants.