Watching Wildlife

One of the greatest rewards of exploring the desert or mountains is quietly watching wildlife behaving naturally. The best observations happen when animals are unaware of your presence. By blending into your surroundings and moving carefully, you can witness behaviors that would otherwise remain hidden.

The following guidelines have proven useful in both desert and mountain environments.

Wear natural-colored clothing that blends with the landscape. Stay upwind whenever possible, and avoid reflective objects such as shiny sunglasses or jewelry.

Move slowly, smoothly, and deliberately. Sudden movements are more likely to alarm wildlife. Approach animals indirectly rather than walking straight toward them.

Make yourself as small and unobtrusive as possible. Use boulders, trees, shrubs, or other natural cover to break up your outline, and avoid casting your shadow toward animals.

Keep a respectful distance. Stay on established trails whenever practical and never chase wildlife. If an animal changes its behavior because of your presence, you are too close.

Watch places where wildlife naturally gathers, such as water sources, game trails, ridge tops, perches, rock ledges, and the edges where different habitats meet. Deer, for example, often feed at the edge of meadows while remaining close to protective cover.

Bring the right equipment. Binoculars, a spotting scope, or a camera with a telephoto lens allow close views without disturbing animals. A lens of 400 mm or longer is especially useful for wildlife photography. Comfortable footwear will also make your outing more enjoyable.

Carry a field guide or wildlife checklist to help identify species and learn about their habitats and behavior.

Visit during the early morning or late evening, when many mammals, birds, and reptiles are most active.

Never attempt to rescue young animals. In most cases, the parents are nearby and continue caring for them after you leave. Do not touch or move them.

Never feed wildlife. Human food can cause illness, change natural behavior, and make animals dependent on people. In some cases, it can be fatal.

Be patient. Wildlife watching is about observing nature on its own schedule. Resist the temptation to throw rocks, make noises, or otherwise disturb animals simply to provoke a response.

Give nests, dens, and burrows a wide berth. Disturbing parents may expose eggs or young to predators or the elements.

Avoid prolonged direct eye contact. Many animals interpret a fixed stare as a threat.

Birds deserve special attention because they are often the easiest wildlife to observe. They can be active throughout the day, are frequently visible in trees or shrubs, and are well documented by birdwatchers. Even when mammals remain hidden, birds provide constant activity and valuable clues about the surrounding environment. Bringing a bird field guide, binoculars, a spotting scope, or a camera with a telephoto lens will greatly enhance your experience. Keeping a checklist of the species you observe is also rewarding.

Even when animals remain out of sight, they leave evidence of their presence. Learn to recognize tracks, burrows, nests, feathers, droppings, bones, scratch marks, and feeding signs. Reading these clues often reveals more about wildlife than a brief glimpse of the animal itself.

The greatest satisfaction in wildlife watching comes not from getting as close as possible, but from leaving without changing the behavior of the animals you came to see. If they continue feeding, resting, hunting, or caring for their young as though you were never there, you have succeeded.