Outdoor Photographer – September 2019

or I may just be looking to see what I
can find. I drive slowly with windows
open, listening intently—often it’s
my ears that lead me to a particular
bird. If I see something I’m interested
in but it’s a shy subject, I drive past
it slowly, get far enough away that
my turning around won’t be very
noticeable, and then I drive toward
it, having made sure my settings are
where they should be. If the subject is
now on the wrong side of the car, I’ll
turn around again. I often switch off
the engine and coast for the last few
yards. I don’t look directly at the bird
or other animal for a moment, unless
I’m really rushing to get the shot. I
lift the camera slowly, hiding my face
behind the body as soon as possible.
Finding the best spot from which to
shoot is perhaps the greatest challenge

when you use your car as a photo blind.

You want to be close enough to get

a decent shot but also positioned far

enough away so that the animal contin-

ues with natural behavior and doesn’t

see you as a threat. You’re also thinking

about light angle. And trying to stay

safe. This is where practice helps you to

get fairly adept at these decisions that

must be made quickly yet cautiously.

It’s helpful to park at a distance and

discern what’s going on before drawing

closer. You can plan where you want to

be and what the behavior patterns of the

animal dictate. It’s also a useful way

to observe baseline behavior so you’ll

know if you’re disrupting them when

you pull closer.

Sometimes, instead of driving

around, I choose a “sit spot,” select-

ing a place to park along a quiet road

near a source of water or a flowering

tree. I go in the early morning when

birds are most active. If you expect to

be parked somewhere for a while, you

can try hanging camouflage netting in

the window to hide your face while still

allowing you a view. Another idea is to

put fabric of some kind on the passen-

ger window to obscure your silhouette.

Silent shutters, if your camera offers

the option, can be very useful when

shooting from the car. Using camouflage

gloves can help to disguise your hands’

movements as you control your gear.

Staying Safe

Keeping safe should be your first prior-

ity. If you suddenly see something, no

matter how excited you are, don’t brake

hard if someone is behind you, and fully

pull off the road if possible. Choose to

search along roads without much traffic.

I like to go on seasonal roads because

they’re so infrequently traveled. OP

To see more of Melissa Groo’s pho-

tography and learn about workshop

opportunities, visit melissagroo.com.

wild by nature

While hunting for voles in a farm
field, a female northern harrier
pauses to look at me photographing
from my car.

36 Outdoor Photographer outdoorphotographer.com