Learning How to Observe Wildlife

With today's busy life style, we always seem to be in a hurry and rarely have time to enjoy the simple things. Why not set aside some time this summer to relax and enjoy the great outdoors by planning a nature hike? Here are some tips for a successful wildlife observation journey.

1. Know Your Subject - Learn about your chosen subject before going out. Take the time to read about its habits. Look for information about its colouring, eating habits, where it can usually be found, and how it reacts to sounds and scents.

2. Take a Friend - It is always a smart idea to have company when you're walking through fields, forests, or nature trails. Having company is good protection should anything happen. Having a friend along also provides another pair of eyes, making your chances of spotting a bird or other wildlife even better.

3. Take Your Time - After you have arrived at the place you've picked to observe, take the time to sit down and relax. Get the feeling of where you are. Begin to understand and to absorb the sounds, sights, and scents. Once you feel familiar with the surroundings, begin looking for examples of wildlife.

4. Don't Use Just Your Eyes - Use your ears to listen and your nose to smell. Finding wild animals involves more than just your eyes. Animals provide sounds and odours as clues to where they are hiding.

5. Make Comparisons - As you observe, make some mental notes about the general impression and shape of what you see. Think about the length of the animal's neck compared to its legs or to its tail. Is its head half the size of its body or less? Does it move more gracefully or less gracefully than another animal? Does its colouring form patterns? Any questions you can ask yourself and answer will help you picture what you have seen long after you've left its environment.

6. Never Disturb Anything - Have respect for the animals and make sure you do not disturb them. Keep as quiet as possible. Keep the area you travel through free of any litter or refuse. Remember, you are a guest in someone else's home!

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