Contrary to popular belief, wild animals are wild. They must give first priority to self-preservation and, let's face it, most wild animals consider human beings to be predators. Many animals people enjoy watching—deer, elk, bighorn sheep, antelope, mountain goats, moose—are prey species. Their eyes are located on the sides of their heads so they can watch for danger in front and behind while they graze. Most predators have eyes in the front of their faces; they glue those eyes upon their prey as they approach. What do deer usually see when humans want to watch and photograph them? They see two intense eyes in the front of a face that approaches relentlessly. This scenario does not represent safety to any animal.

From the animal's standpoint, it's easy to see why most humans need to tune up their sensitivity toward wildlife body language. They also need to change their own body language and give wildlife a more friendly message.

When watching wildlife, move slowly, if at all. Listen and watch for a response to your presence before doing anything. Let the animal dictate the distance from which you watch; do not move closer if the animal deviates from its normal behavior due to your presence. For example, if birds peer over the edge of the nest at you, or leave the nest and start circling and giving cries of alarm, you are already too close. Back away. If grazing mammals raise their heads to look at you, flip their ears, or swish their tails nervously, you are almost too close. Sit down and look at the ground. If they stop grazing and move away, you are already too close. Back away.

When you watch wildlife, don't stare at them intently like some two-legged predator. Amble slowly along looking at the ground; don't move directly toward the animals. Stop and sit for long periods of time. Use high-powered binoculars and spotting scopes to bring the animals close, while you remain at a distance comfortable to them. No wildlife watcher should move beyond a wild animal's tolerance for human intrusion.

The same kind of sensitivity should govern wildlife photography. Getting a great shot does not justify stressing the animals. A telephoto lens enables people to shoot excellent close ups without approaching wild subjects too closely. Although some cameras can be triggered remotely, setting up the camera and the intrusive presence of the equipment itself has caused birds to abandon young and eggs in the nest. Professional wildlife photographers have an important role to play in setting the example and in teaching students how to shoot pictures without interfering with natural behavior.

Watching and photographing wildlife is more fun and far more rewarding when the human is responsive to animal body language. When wild animals shape human behavior, the human becomes an "invisible" visitor. And observing natural behavior is what watching real, living, wild animals is all about.

Thank you to Andre' Duvall, Wildlife Biologist, NE Region, DOW

Next: The Surprising Truth about Prairie Dogs