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Autumn brings with it incredible opportunities for wildlife photography, especially since so many animals use these months to find their mates. For more than a century, since the days of Carleton Watkins through the days of Instagram, photography and conservation have gone hand-in-hand. Beautiful pictures of animals educate the global public about wildlife behavior, and they make us care about protecting places and creatures we might never see in person.
With the invention of the smartphone, anyone and everyone can be a nature photographer, and it’s more important than ever that we learn all we can about wild animals and their habitats. In recent years, wildlife experts and photographers have publicly expressed concern over the large number of people photographing and unwittingly interfering with animals in protected areas during the fall.
Autumn is arguably the best time of year for wildlife photography, but it’s important to do it ethically, with respect and understanding for the animals and their patterns. That’s why we asked five outstanding photographers to tell us about their most memorable experiences in the wild. Below, you’ll find their favorite stories and some words of wisdom they gathered along the way.
1. “It’s important to take your time so the animal feels more comfortable in your presence.”
Ysbrand Cosijn
What is your favorite subject in autumn?
My favorite fall subject in nature is the red deer. A friend of mine lives near a national park, and he knows all the interesting times and places to find red deer.
This picture was taken in the beginning of September, the best time for the red deer rut. After driving around in the park, I found a moorland, where this big stag walked around and started roaring. The males make this intense sound during rutting season. The louder they roar, the more dominant they are. They make this low, intense, primitive sound to impress the female deer (hinds) and to ‘scare’ the rival males. At this time of year, the male red deer is full of testosterone.
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Pro Tip
First find out what interests you the most: landscape, macro, wildlife, etc. Learn as much as you can about your subject and the seasonal events connected with the subject. When photographing wildlife, keep in mind you’re entering their ‘home,’ so you have to be respectful. Always approach the animal as slowly and as silently as possible. Observe them. Wait until the right moment. It’s important to take your time so the animal feels more comfortable in your presence. Don’t get too greedy about making the best picture!
Where do you find inspiration for your photography?
I find inspiration by walking around in nature and observing the environment and its wildlife with full attention.
2. “…it is good to know a lot about the behavior of animals”
Ondrej Prosicky
What is your favorite subject in autumn?
What I like most are wild animals in ideal conditions in nature, nice light, and an interesting setting. I visit Finland several times a year to photograph bears, but the most attractive season for me is the fall. The colors of the trees are wonderful, and they enable me to make the shots of the bears more interesting. I take the snaps from a photography hide, and I make sure to be there before it’s too late in the evening, when the bears are the most active and the light is well-diffused.
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Pro Tip
During the fall, I always watch the weather forecast. I wait for the moments when the rain has stopped and the vegetation is wet and beautifully colored. I like using a polarizer to saturate the colors. I have been photographing nature for ten years, so at the end of summer, I can estimate when the fall the colors are going to be the most beautiful. I try to shoot in the morning fog or in the nice light in the evening, when the sunshine is not sharp.
In my opinion, the most important thing when photographing wild nature is to learn something about it. For instance, it is good to know a lot about the behavior of animals, about how and when fog is formed, etc. It is useful to know when the exact sunrise and sunset are. It is also necessary not to disturb any animals and follow the rules in national parks, where the concentration of interesting subjects is the largest.
Where do you find inspiration for your photography?
I find the inspiration in nature. I am a wildlife photographer, but I often go to see my favorite places in the woods just to watch wild animals and learn about them. If something draws my attention, I come back with my camera and try to shoot the moment.
3. “We are guests in the forest, and we must respect the privacy of wild animals as much as possible.”
Erik Mandre
What is your favorite subject in autumn?
My favorite subject in autumn is the moose, especially the moose bull, who has grown antlers by that time. Moose have their mating season in autumn, so they move around more, and it is easier to get close to them. The autumn scenery offers spectacular moments in the forests and swamps, and colder nights and mornings can offer nice, foggy scenery.
It was an autumn morning in Läänemaa, Estonia, when I took this photo. I started my day early and walked around the meadow. I met several moose, but I did not find any adult males with big antlers. As the sun rose, I started to head to my car many miles away. On my way to the car, I suddenly noticed a big male moose coming out from the bushes.
I cautiously started to walk closer to the animal. I got quite close to him before he noticed me. Still, as it was rutting season, the male did not seem to consider me as a human. He was very calm and looked at me as if I was one of them. He did not go away immediately. I got several shots before he started to walk calmly into the bushes.
It was a peaceful meeting, and I still remember it as if it was yesterday. These kinds of moments motivate to go out in nature again and again. Every moment in nature is unique, and the experience you gain from it is valuable.
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Pro Tip
To increase your chances of meeting a moose, you need to know where the animal likes to spend its time. Listen and watch early in the morning or late in the evening, as this is when the animals move around the most. During rutting season, the Moose makes specific calls, which can give you a hint about where he’s located.
I always watch the weather forecast. Nice, calm weather in autumn encourages the moose to move more. If there is also fog involved, you will have better chances of getting closer. At the same time, you need to keep in mind that we are guests in the forest, and we must respect the privacy of wild animals as much as possible.
Where do you find inspiration for your photography?
My main inspiration is nature itself. To bear witness to a unique moment in nature gives me joy, and capturing that moment drives me forward. Nature and its wildlife are so amazing that you do not need anything more to stay motivated.
4. “When watching and photographing wild animals, I always try to hide as well as possible. I keep my distance so I don’t disturb them.”
Jakub Mrocek
What is your favorite subject in autumn?
Fall is the best time of year to photograph mouflons because it is their rutting season. Their activity during the day increases, and their carefulness decreases. It is also interesting to watch mouflon males fighting each other in the oak forests.
One autumn morning, I went with my brother to watch mouflons. We woke up early and rode our bikes to get there. I had a camouflage suit to blend in better with the forest, and after we set up our camouflage, we waited for about two hours. Then, suddenly, I heard a noise. A small group of mouflons was about twenty meters ahead of us. They were playing and fighting, and we just watched them and took some photographs.
Pro Tip
Mouflons have a very good sense of smell. When photographing mouflons, it is important to “have a good wind,” which means that the wind direction should always be going away from the animals and towards you so that they cannot smell you. When watching and photographing wild animals, I always try to hide as well as possible. I keep my distance so I don’t disturb them. If I notice that the animals are nervous, I back off.
Where do you find inspiration for your photography?
I usually try to spend as much time in nature as possible. All of my inspiration comes from observing the wild.
5. “I walk in a huge circle while I observe and take as many photos as possible.”
Jim Cumming
What is your favorite subject in autumn?
My favorite fall subject in nature would be the white-tailed deer. Autumn is the time of year for the annual rut that takes place not too far from my house. A huge buck with an enlarged neck, sniffing the air then slowly stalking the object of his affection, is a site to behold and photograph.
Waking up on an early fall morning, I noticed a heavy fog had descended, so I quickly grabbed my camera and headed out to the local woods. No sooner had I arrived than I encountered five huge bucks. I had only ever seen one here before.
Was it a little dangerous? I suppose; after all, these are wild animals, and it was during the rut, so I had no idea what might transpire. The does in this area are fairly docile, mainly because people come and feed them, but the bucks are apprehensive and take off in a heartbeat when you begin to approach. I was in awe standing in their presence. I did feel a little uneasy, but I kept talking to them in a calm manner and always made sure there was a big tree nearby just in case.
Then a doe strolled out towards me and went behind my back. I reached out and touched her on the nose and told her to “shoo.” That’s when I realized I could be in some trouble, as I found myself between her and the biggest buck I’d ever seen (the one in this photo). I quickly got out of her way and stood back and let the scene unfold. I walked around a very wide perimeter and snapped away at every chance I got. It was a surreal morning and one I don’t think I’ll ever encounter again.
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Pro Tip
When photographing deer in the rut, proceed with caution. A buck in rut will go right through you to get to a doe. Respect him as well as all other animals. I walk in a huge circle while I observe and take as many photos as possible. I also let my presence be known and calmly talk to them. I sometimes sing as well, all the while making sure I am not interfering. To make sure I’m in the right place at the right time, I visit often– mostly in the early morning and evening.
Where do you find inspiration for your photography?
Finding inspiration is easy. I watch nature shows and documentaries and also keep an eye on what fellow photographers are shooting. There is beauty all around us.
