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Photographers line up to shoot an owl banding operation in Seminary Woods, Saint Francis.

Respectful Lenses: Tips for Ethical Wildlife Photography

February 18, 2025  |  Topics: Stories

By Lindsay Focht, Schlitz Audubon Nature Center

Introduction and photography by Eddee Daniel

Introduction

To begin with it must be said that I do not consider myself a wildlife photographer. I do photograph nature, of course, as followers of this blog well know. In the course of exploring the parks and preserves that are the province of this project, A Wealth of Nature, I occasionally come across wildlife. As I’ve written before, I consider these chance encounters to be gifts of nature and I’m grateful when able to capture a decent enough wildlife photo.

I’ve selected some of those photos to accompany the story by Lindsay Focht. The selections are not intended to precisely illustrate the points in her article, just examples of the general principles she covers, which I agree are essential to photographing wildlife ethically. The captions will give a little context as to how they illustrate her points, along with links to the parks/preserves where they were observed and previous stories when appropriate.

A cormorant drying its wings. Cormorants are fish-eaters that dive for their prey and must periodically spread their wings to dry. I spotted this one from the pedestrian bridge at the site of the former North Avenue Dam at the southern end of the Milwaukee River Greenway.
A large cormorant drying its wings. Cormorants are fish-eaters that dive for their prey and must periodically spread their wings to dry. I spotted this one from the pedestrian bridge at the site of the former North Avenue Dam at the southern end of the Milwaukee River Greenway.

I have just one observation to add to her excellent article: Many successful wildlife photographs are created using a blind. A well-constructed blind enables the photographer to observe wildlife without disrupting natural behaviors or distressing the animals. However, the construction of a blind must not itself negatively affect vegetation or the integrity of the habitat.

I have great admiration for those who do identify as wildlife photographers. It is not an easy task. Generally speaking, they must have a great deal of patience and be willing to remain still and vigilant for long periods of time. They must also have substantial knowledge about their subjects—about animal behaviors and habitats. If you don’t approach the effort rigorously then, like me, you will be dependent upon infrequent lucky encounters.

~ Eddee Daniel

These turkeys on the Oak Leaf Trail in the Little Menomonee River Parkway might have been interesting enough by themselves, but I waited awhile hoping another cyclist would come along. I got lucky twice this time!
These turkeys on the Oak Leaf Trail in the Little Menomonee River Parkway in Milwaukee might have been interesting enough by themselves, but I waited awhile hoping another cyclist would come along. I got lucky twice this time!

Respectful Lenses: Tips for Ethical Wildlife Photography

By Lindsay Focht

Capturing the perfect photo of an animal, framed by its natural surroundings, can be considered a work of art. Wildlife photographers around the world put themselves into the elements, searching for the chance to catch nature at its finest. With ecotourism and photography becoming increasingly popular, more people are venturing out to experience nature and challenge themselves to get the perfect shot.

Little green herons like this one are not uncommon sights along area waterways. But they are very skittish, rarely holding still long enough to get a good shot. This one, however, at the lagoon in Jacobus Park, Wauwatosa, was so intent on whatever it was seeing in the water that I was able to creep unusually close along the park path. It never moved a muscle.
Little green herons like this one are not uncommon sights along area waterways. But they are very skittish, rarely holding still long enough to get a good shot. This one, however, at the lagoon in Jacobus Park, Wauwatosa, was so intent on whatever it was seeing in the water that I was able to creep unusually close along the paved park path. It never moved a muscle.

This, in turn, means that wildlife and their habitats are seeing an uptick in traffic and human presence. Park and land managers throughout the country are reporting trail degradation and changes in wildlife movement patterns correlated to human activity. For those heading out in hopes to photo-document wildlife, practicing respectful viewing can ensure the preservation of habitats and the natural behaviors of its animals.  The following are suggested guidelines that limit disturbance and cause the least amount of stress on wildlife.

I and my companions might have stressed this milk snake but then we had to be careful not to actually step on it! It was right next to the trail we were hiking on at Lac Lawrann Conservancy in West Bend.
I and my companions might have stressed this milk snake but then we had to be careful not to actually step on it! It was right next to the trail we were hiking on at Lac Lawrann Conservancy in West Bend.

Use trail systems: By following already established trail systems, the surrounding habitat does not become impacted and negatively affect the vegetation. Do not modify trails or mechanically remove vegetation from view for a good angle of an animal.

I watched in amazement as this big snapper climbed out of the water and clawed its way up to the apex of the truncated log for a bit of sunning. I saw it all from a boardwalk section of the Mequon-Thiensville Riverwalk on the Milwaukee River, Thiensville.
I watched in amazement as this big snapper climbed out of the water and clawed its way up to the apex of the truncated log for a bit of sunning. I saw it all from a boardwalk section of the Mequon-Thiensville Riverwalk on the Milwaukee River, Thiensville.

Know the rules of the property: If you are visiting a public area, know the regulations, including the opening and closing times. If it is private property, ensure you have permission from the owners and be respectful and courteous of their privacy and land.

This peregrine falcon is perched atop the Veolia building at the Jones Island Sewage Treatment Plant in Milwaukee. I was granted access along with a team of scientists who were tasked with banding fledgling falcons in the nest box located up there. (See full story.)

Avoid baiting and luring: Using food to bring an animal closer greatly disrupts their natural behavior. Wildlife that becomes too comfortable around people, or even relies on them for food, threatens the survival of that animal.

I did not provide the bait, but this swallowtail butterfly was definitely lured by the swamp milkweed blossoms at Tendick Nature Park near Saukville.

Do not intentionally flush, chase, or alert an animal to your presence: A good rule of thumb is that if an animal reacts to something you are doing, you are too close. There is an allure to capturing a photo of wildlife staring straight into the camera. In harsh weather, for example, if an animal is reacting to you, it is expending valuable energy that should be used to keep warm or rest. You also run the risk of the animal fleeing the area and not returning.

These young whitetails seemed entirely oblivious to my presence even though I was close by and in full view–because I was in my car, which acted like a blind. On the park road at Grant Park, South Milwaukee.

Do not share locations of wildlife, particularly sensitive species: Many social media groups now prohibit location sharing in order to protect wildlife. Keeping locations secret ensures that the animals do not become stressed by an influx of onlookers.

A pair of mating praying mantises seen from the Monarch Trail on the Milwaukee County Grounds in Wauwatosa. None of the locations I'm sharing here are sensitive. Good luck finding any of these animals in the same locations again! (Except maybe the deer in Grant Park.)
A pair of mating praying mantises seen from the Monarch Trail on the Milwaukee County Grounds in Wauwatosa. None of the locations I’m sharing here are sensitive. Good luck finding any of these animals in the same locations again! (Except maybe the deer in Grant Park.) See story.

Seasons: Animals can react aggressively if provoked. Be cautious around nesting and birthing seasons, where wildlife is at its most defensive as they protect young.

This red-winged blackbird was protecting its young, but not from me! Red-winged blackbirds had built nests in the dead cattails all around the perimeter of the park pond. From the paved path in Elm Grove Village Park, I watched the great blue heron strut along the edge. When it got near a nest with eggs, the blackbird swooped down again and again to drive it away.

Keep your distance: Allow for respectful distance between you and the animal. Remain far enough away that you can view the animal without disturbing it. Explore equipment options such as long camera lens, scopes, and binoculars that allow for this.

I'm afraid I didn't keep my distance from this dragonfly. In fact, it was too close! It landed on my gloved right hand as I was paddling my kayak on the Milwaukee River near West Bend. It held still for a surprisingly long time as I fiddled awkwardly with my cell phone in my non-dominant left hand to catch the shot!
I’m afraid I didn’t keep my distance from this dragonfly. In fact, it was too close! It landed on my gloved right hand as I was paddling my kayak on the Milwaukee River near West Bend. It held still for a surprisingly long time as I fiddled awkwardly with my cell phone in my non-dominant left hand to catch the shot! (See story.)

Wildlife has an innate fear of humans. In most cases, when humans are present, animals are on alert. In the animal world, there are three primary forms of defense: fight, flight, and freeze. “Fight” and “flight” are understood, but “freeze” can be confusing. Some animals may appear unbothered by your presence yet are completely aware of you. Look for subtle signs and changes to an animal’s behavior and body language.

The well-camouflaged coyote and I spotted each other in the same moment and that moment was all I had to raise my camera and quickly grab the shot. In the next moment it had vanished deeper into Sanctuary Woods in the Milwaukee County Grounds--a not-too-subtle sign it didn't want to be near me.
The well-camouflaged coyote and I spotted each other in the same moment and that moment was all I had to raise my camera and quickly grab the shot. In the next moment it had vanished deeper into Sanctuary Woods in the Milwaukee County Grounds–a not-too-subtle sign it didn’t want to be near me.

An owl’s defense, for example, is to sit still and blend in (freeze), using their phenomenal camouflage to attempt to hide. Tufts up, eyes wide open or slit shut, and unwavering against the tree is the look of an owl trying to be invisible. If an owl remains perched and does not flush from your activity, some think it is comfortable with the proximity of humans but, in reality, it is simply hoping you do not see it.

A great horned owl seen through my telephoto lens from the trail in Seminary Woods, Saint Francis, a very popular birding spot. (See story.)

The best shots can be of an animal exhibiting natural behaviors – preening, bathing, eating, and calmly moving through the landscape. Look for signs of comfort: relaxed body position, slow and smooth movements, looking at other things around it, not at you. Being a model of ethical wildlife and landscape photography can teach and encourage others to do the same. Shared passion and respect for nature lead many out to view and celebrate the species we share this world with, and through practicing this respect we can ensure the comfort and success of wildlife.

Schlitz Audubon Nature Center is rightly famous for its resident raptors. Here is a wild red-tailed hawk I was lucky to catch there on one of my visits.

For another guide here is the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology Code of Ethics.

Stories related to photography:

A photography lesson in Three Bridges Park

Suburban Soles: A photography lesson in Grant Park

Stories related to wildlife:

Wildlife watching leads the way in outdoor activities

Witnessing Owl Banding in the Wild!

Wetland Monitoring: Citizen scientists join in the fun!

The coyotes that share our urban environments

Hawk Watch at Forest Beach Migratory Preserve

Pollinator Bioblitz: How you can help save endangered pollinators!

Butterflies, Dragonflies and Damselflies at Cedarburg Bog

Snakes alive! Citizen Science snake surveys at Retzer Nature Center

The hawk in Jackson Park: A lesson learned.

Peregrine Falcons Revisited  (Urban Wilderness – Milwaukee Magazine)

The Flying Squirrels of Milwaukee County (Urban Wilderness – Milwaukee Magazine)

Note: The featured photo at the top of the pack of photographers is from Seminary Woods in Saint Francis. They and I were shooting the progress of a team of scientists who were there to band fledgling owls in the wild. See story.

Lindsay Focht is Raptor Program & Animal Ambassador Director at Schlitz Audubon Nature Center. This article was originally published in the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center newsletter. It is reprinted here with permission. Eddee Daniel is a board member of Preserve Our Parks and a member of Schlitz Audubon Nature Center. Schlitz Audubon Nature Center is a project partner of A Wealth of Nature.

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