Wildlife Photo
Sunday, September 25th, 2011
Trail Cameras Help Wildlife Photographers
Trail Cameras
R. Dodge Woodson
World Photographers Organization
I looked into trail cameras recently. My son wanted on to monitor our woods with, and I thought it might put a new spin on my wildlife photography. No, I am not suggesting that anyone use trail cameras to capture wildlife photos for sale or display. The pictures you get, however, can put you in the right area with your wildlife gear.
Much of the time spent afield by wildlife photographers to establish details on their intended subjects. Granted, kicking around the woods is a great way to spend a day. But, if you have limited time and need some specific wildlife images, a trail camera can be a big help.
Let’s use my land as an example. I have well over 100 acres for critters to live in. Where are they? What watering locations are they using? Is there a particular area where they are feeding? All of these questions can be answered with the application of good woodsman skills, but a trail camera can tell you more in less time.
Let’s say that I know a large whitetail buck is walking a particular old woods road. His tracks show me where he likes to get his water from. I can estimate his weight from the depression depth of the tracks, but how big are the antlers? Try figuring that one out with basic tracking and hunting skills.
A trail camera can capture a picture of my wandering buck and I will be able to see precisely how many points can be counted on the animal’s rack. Ah, how could it get any better than this? Well, believe it or not, it can. I recommend to members of World Photographers Organization that they used trail cameras to increase scouting for better wildlife photography.
Imagine that you are in your office making deals. As you talk on the speaker phone, read some briefs, and toy with your computer, you are shaken back to attention by a passing bear. What? A bear at your office? Not quite. The bear is on a live feed on your computer monitor. That’s right, your trail camera has a video feed and has locked onto a strolling bear. The trail cam sends a signal to a modem. Then the modem uses a cellular connection to send the video footage to your computer. You are talking about selling a hotel and watching a bear walk along your favorite game trail at the same time.
Okay, enough of setting the stage. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of trail cameras. Our goal here is to look at them as tools for wildlife photographers who have limited time to spend in the field.
How Many Megapixels?
What kind of quality can you expect from the various types of trail cameras? Each camera has its own features and benefits. Price is usually a factor in quality, and there is no exception here. If you want to spend top dollar, around $380, you can get a camera with a 7 mp rating. Want more? Spend $650 and you can get high definition. On the low end, you can spend $90 for a camera with 2 mp. The surveillance systems give 1.3 mp for $600. A still camera that provides 1.3 mp is $450. From what other owners have told me, cameras with 4 megapixels get the job done well and more megapixels does better. No surprise there.
How Tough?
How tough does a trail camera have to be? The quality of the lens is always important, as is the overall performance of a camera. Trail cameras are forced to endure some tough times. They get rained on, caught in high winds, bounced around, and worse. Look for a camera with a solid encasement.
One complaint I have heard of often is the attachment system between some cameras and their source of stability, which is usually a tree. Many users have experienced broken straps. I suggest that you look each camera you are considering over closely to see that their means of attachment will be dependable. You don’t want a $400 camera falling into a trail only to be walked on by a moose.
Won’t Someone Steal The Camera?
It could happen. Containers are made to protect cameras from pawing bears and such, but I doubt that any of the protection against humans would be effective. The best means of security is concealment. Get creative with some natural cover and make the camera housing melt into the background.
What’s The Difference Between IR Cameras and cameras with Flashes?
Price is the first difference that you may notice. It is common for cameras with white flash to cost less than infrared (IR) flash. The reason is simple. When a common flash fires, animals can see the light. When an IR flash fires, the beam is not visible to the animal. Smart, old animals will quickly learn to avoid areas that flash at them.
The distance that a flash covers varies greatly with trail cameras. An average distance is probably 35-40 feet. Some only reach out to 20 feet and others go out to 60 feet. The one I ordered covers 50 feet with an IR flash.
What Else Should I Look For In The Comparison Of Trail Cameras?
When I started looking for a good trail camera I figured it couldn’t be too tough for a pro photographer to pick out a viable camera. Let me tell you, trail cameras are not as easy to decide on as a Canon 5D MarkII.
My quest took me to 25 different trail cameras. Of these, there were 10 different brands. I had my work cut out for me. A lot of information was available through Internet searches. The best overall comparison I found for trail cameras was at Cabelas. Check out the list below to see some other features to consider when buying a trail camera:
- Power Source
- How Many Batteries Are Needed?
- Does The Unit Offer Video Options?
- Can The Camera Be Powered By A Solar Panel?
- Does The Camera Have Built-In Memory? If so, how much? (16-32 mb is common).
- Will I Have A Viewer Built Into The Camera?
- What Is the Unit’s Memory Card Capacity?
- How Fast Can The Camera Fire?
- How Many Bursts Can The Camera Shoot?
- At What Temperature Ranges Can The Camera Function?
- What Do You Get As A Warranty?
- And, Of Course, How Much Does The Camera Cost?
There You Have It.
Well, there you have it. You can spend less than $100 or more than $700 for a camera. There are a few good ones available for less than $200. Until you start spending upwards of $225, don’t expect a lot of bells and whistles or long-term toughness.
I spent a lot of time compiling all of this information is my search for a suitable trail camera. Hopefully, you will find the data useful. If you enjoy wildlife photography, a trail camera might be your best next investment
Life is good when seen through a Canon® L lens.
About the Author
R. Dodge Woodson is a full-time internationally-known, best-selling author and photographer. He created the World Photographers Organization (WPO) as a serious resource for all photographers from point-and-shooters to pros. Photographers of all skill levels come to WPO to learn, to increase sales, and to take advantage of the extensive resources offered by WPO. Having been a pro photographer for more than 30 years and a full-time writer for 17 years, Dodge now feels it is time to share his tricks of the trade with up-and-coming freelancers. Woodson’s most recent photo book is: Maine Unseen: A Photographic Adventure That Few Witness.(Available at Amazon)
Wildlife Photographer, Will Burrard-Lucas: How’d They Do That?
|
|
Photo Mugs …. |
|
|
Photo Mugs …. |
|
|
Photo Mugs …. |
|
|
Wings Wild Life $11.97 Rich, successful, happily married, and absurdly talented, Paul McCartney had nothing to do, so he recorded Wild Life. That would explain the frippery for which this curious record has long been ridiculed, but it’s a perspective that does Wild Life–recorded in a couple of days–a disservice. In every sense it’s the work of a still-young man still reeling from the ’60s, unsure what to do with himse… |
|
|
Bird-X YG Yard Gard Ultrasonic Animal Repeller $32.97 Give pests their eviction notice, up to 4,000 sq. ft.! SAVE BIG! Repel dogs, cats, deer, raccoons, armadillos, opossums, bats and other pests from yards, gardens, warehouses, garages, basements, attics, restaurants, barns… wherever they roam. Independent laboratory testing has proven YardGard sound technology to be a highly effective form of pest control. An infrared motion sensor activates the … |
|
|
Logitech Alert Security Camera … |
|
|
Logitech WiLife Digital Video Security–Indoor Master System Camera $109.99 WiLife Digital Video Security Camera Indoor Master System… |
|
|
Planet Earth: The Complete BBC Series $27.99 With an unprecedented production budget of $25 million and from the makers of Blue Planet: Seas of Life comes the epic story of life on Earth. Five years in production over 2000 days in the field using 40 cameramen filming across 200 locations shot entirely in high definition this is the ultimate portrait of our planet. A stunning television experience that captures rare action impossible location… |
|
|
Born Free $7.96 Born Free is a bona fide family classic. The tale of how Kenya game warden George Adamson and his wife Joy (on whose book the film is based, with Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers in the principal roles) adopted and raised three orphaned lion cubs, taking a particular shine to the one they call Elsa before helping her return to the wild, is familiar by now; so’s John Barry’s Oscar-winning title so… |
|
|
Grizzly Man $7.01 Grizzly Man could easily have been sensational and exploitative, but in the hands of Werner Herzog, it becomes something extraordinary. Herzog was granted exclusive access to over 100 hours of video shot by amateur naturalist, wildlife advocate and troubled loner Timothy Treadwell, who spent 13 summers in Alaska’s Katmai National Park, where he grew to know and love the grizzly bears that lived th… |
|
|
Rokinon 500mm/1000mm F6.3 Mirror Lens for Canon $163.99 Take beautiful sports and wildlife photos with the Rokinon 500 mm f/6.3 mirror lens Photo accessory includes 2x doubler to double your focal length to 1000mmPowerful Rokinon mirror lens comes with a fast F stop |
|
|
Rokinon 650-1300 mm Zoom Lens for Canon EOS Mount $283.99 Rokinon 650-1300 mm lens is perfect for professional and amateur photographersTelephoto camera lens is great for wildlife or natureHigh definition optics produce sharper, more intense pictures |
|
|
Rokinon 500mm Preset Telephoto Lens for Canon EOS $123.99 Extremely powerful 500mm preset telephoto lens is ideal for long distance shotsCamera lens is perfect for sports, nature and wildlife photographyLens features aluminum alloy construction |
|
|
Rokinon 500mm Mirror Lens for Sony Alpha Cameras $139.99 Equip yourself for the outdoors Perfect for camping and hunting, this mirror lens comes with a new faster F stop Ideally suited for sports and wildlife photography, this lens can also be used for everyday use |
|
|
Rokinon 650-1300mm Super Telephoto Zoom Lens for Olympus $283.99 Rokinon super-telephoto zoom lens is incredibly powerfulLens is ideally suited for sports, nature and wildlife photographyPhoto accessory’s high-definition optics produce sharp and clear pictures |
|
|
Rokinon 500mm Preset Telephoto Lens for Nikon $124.99 Extremely powerful 500mm preset telephoto lens is ideal for long distance shotsCamera lens is perfect for sports, nature and wildlife photographyLens features aluminum alloy construction |
|
|
Hoya Moose 49mm Warm Circular Polarizer Filter $0 This unique filter is the result of a collaboration between Hoya and wildlife photographer, B. Moose Peterson. This rotating filter is a combination of a polarizer and a warm filter and the effect can be seen through the viewfinder. |
|
|
Rokinon 500 mm f/8 Mirror Lens for Sony Alpha DSLR $124.49 Take beautiful sports and wildlife photos with the Rokinon 500mm f/8 mirror lens Lens designed for use with the Sony Alpha DSLRPhoto accessory is incredibly powerful, compact and lightweight |
|
|
Rokinon 650-1300 mm Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha $283.99 Rokinon 650-1300mm high-definition zoom lens is perfect for professional and amateur photographersTelephoto camera lens is great for wildlife or nature photographersPhotography accessory mounts to all Sony digital SLR cameras |
|
|
Rokinon 500mm/ 1000mm Mirror Lens for Sony Alpha $159.99 Rokinon 500mm ultra-telephoto, multi-coated mirror lens Lens includes 2x doubler for extended focal lengthAdvanced reflex design makes lens perfect for wildlife and sports photography |
|
|
Rokinon 500mm Mirror Lens for Pentax Cameras $139.99 Equip yourself for the outdoors Perfect for camping and hunting, this mirror lens comes with a new faster F stop Ideally suited for sports and wildlife photography, this lens can also be used for everyday use |
|
|
Rokinon 500mm/ 1000mm Mirror Lens for Olympus $149.99 Rokinon ultra-telephoto, multi-coated mirror lens is incredibly compact and lightweightLens ideally suited for sports, nature and wildlife photographyPhoto accessory lets you double your focal length to 1000mm |
|
|
Rokinon 500mm Preset Telephoto Lens for Pentax $124.49 Extremely powerful 500mm preset telephoto lens is ideal for long distance shotsCamera lens is perfect for sports, nature and wildlife photographyLens features aluminum alloy construction |
|
|
Rokinon 650-2600mm Super Telephoto Zoom Lens for Olympus $286.99 Rokinon super-telephoto zoom lens is incredibly powerfulLens is ideally suited for sports, nature and wildlife photographyPhoto accessory allows you to take sharp and clear pictures |
|
|
Rokinon 500mm F8 Mirror Lens for Olympus $105.99 Capture precious memories with a Rokinon 500 mm F8 mirror lensCamera accessory features a lens construction of 7 elements in 6 groupsElectronics device is ideally suited for sports, nature and wildlife photography |
|
|
Rokinon 800mm/ 1600mm Mirror Lens for Olympus $244.43 Rokinon ultra-telephoto, multi-coated 800mm mirror lens is incredibly lightweightLens is ideally suited for sports, nature and wildlife photographyPhoto accessory includes a 2x teleconverter to double its focal length to 1600mm |
|
|
Rokinon 500mm F6.3 Mirror Lens for Olympus $169.99 Rokinon ultra-telephoto, multi-coated mirror lens is incredibly compact and lightweightLens is ideally suited for sports, nature, and wildlife photographyPhoto accessory features a fixed aperture of f/6.3 |
|
|
Rokinon 500mm Preset Telphoto Lens for Sony Alpa $124.49 Extremely powerful 500mm preset telephoto lens is ideal for long distance shotsCamera lens is perfect for sports, nature and wildlife photographyLens features aluminum alloy construction |
|
|
Rokinon 500mm/ 1000mm F6.3 Mirror Lens for Olympus $171.99 Rokinon lens is incredibly compact and lightweightLens is ideally suited for sports and wildlife photographyPhoto accessory includes a 2x teleconverter to double your focal length to 1000mm |
|
|
Moose Babies (Board) $8.86 Charming new board book introduces young children to adorable moose calves, with their long legs and soft, floppy ears. Photos by award-winning wildlife photographer, Henry Holdsworth. |
|
|
Wild Animal Baby, 10 issues for 1 year(s) $19.95 Wild Animal Baby is an amazing publication put together by the National Wildlife Federation for children. Filled with charming animal photos, short picture stories, rhymes and fun activities, Wild Animal Baby makes learning fun! This publicati… |
|
|
Texas Parks & Wildlife, 12 issues for 1 year(s) $19.95 Since 1942, Texas Parks & Wildlife has been a guide to the Texas outdoors. Each issue of this award-winning magazine is packed with outstanding color photos and articles about every facet of outdoor recreation. We bring you information about… |
|
|
Frommer`s 2012 Costa Rica (Paperback) $13.03 Full-color throughout, with a free full-color foldout map and a new wildlife chapter with photos. With Frommer`s in hand, you`ll experience the wonder of Costa Rica`s amazing biodiversity, as we point out the best plac… |
|
|
Travel Photography (Paperback) $21.72 Want to capture images of immense festivals and endangered wildlife or, perhaps, take the best photo when bungee jumping or underwater? Steve Davey, author of the hugely successful Unforgettable Places To See Before You Die, provides the kn… |
|
|
Wildlife of Southern Africa (Paperback) $15.4 Highly portable, concise, and informative, this is the essential guide for identifying Southern Africa`s most visible wildlife. Featuring full-color photos of more than 400 species of birds, mammals, snakes, lizards, and insects, Wildlife of Sout… |
|
|
100 Ways to Take Better Nature & Wildlife Photographs (Paperback) $19.78 Description not available. |
|
|
National Wildlife, 6 issues for 1 year(s) $19.95 National Wildlife magazine is the best resource for every animal lover. Each issue contains current news, fascinating stories, and amazing photographs of birds, fish, and all kinds of animals and their natural habitats all over the world. The Na… |
|
|
Who`s Looking at You? (Hardcover) $9.85 Whose eyes flash like mirrors in the dark? What animal can see behind itself? The fun, eye-catching wildlife photography in Who`s Looking at You? will keep kids guessing. Each page features a new close-up photo. Lift the flap to see the ani… |
|
|
Crossing Alaska $29.06 “Crossing Alaska” whisks readers along the corridor of the trans-Alaska pipeline, displaying dramatic landscapes, wildlife, and communities along its 800-mile length, from the Arctic Ocean to Prince William Sound. 146 color photos. 2 maps. |
|
|
The Complete Photographer (Hardcover) $19.6 With plenty of full-color photos to illustrate his points, the author offers photography tutorials on 10 different genres–portraits, landscape, fashion and nude, wildlife and nature, sport, documentary, events and milestones, travel, architecture and … |
|
|
When the Wolves Returned (Hardcover) $15.19 With an abundance of spectacular photographs and a dual-level text that will engage readers of all ages, an inspirational photo-essay captures wolves in the natural habitat of Yellowstone, where the natural balance of the park`s wildlife is finally bei… |
|
|
Curious Cats (Hardcover) $12.25 `When cats are happy, people are happy and the Earth is happy,` says beloved wildlife photographer Mitsuaki Iwago. In this irresistibly adorable collection, Iwago has chosen his favorite cat photos and proves that the nuances of a cat s life are indeed… |
|
|
Some Kind of Paradise $14.07 Derr presents the most comprehensive portrait ever of past and present Florida, vividly describing its vanishing wildlife and its peculiar yet beautiful geography. 40 black-and-white photos. |
|
|
Bradt Madagascar Wildlife $18.74 Beautifully illustrated with full color photographs throughout, Madagascar Wildlife is a celebration of the unique fauna of a remarkable island and the perfect accompaniment to Bradt’s popular general tr… |
|
|
National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Birds of North America $11.02 A photographic field guide of North American birds provides color photographs of birds in their natural habitat and discusses their physical characteristics, habitats, behaviors, songs, and migration routes. |
|
|
Managing Our Natural Resources $147.32 The updated fifth edition of this introductory book provides an overview of the broad field of natural resources management ranging from forestry to air quality to wildlife management to solid waste management. Full color photos and illustrations have … |
|
|
Wildlife of East Africa (Paperback) $13.36 Those looking for a concise yet informative, visually breathtaking yet affordable East African safari need look no further than this spectacular field guide. Featuring full-color photos of 475 common species of bird, mammal, snake, lizard, insect, tree… |
|
|
Once a Wolf $6.88 With powerful and rare photographs by Jim Brandenburg, Once a Wolf explores the long, troubled relationship of humans and wolves. The book traces the persecution of the wolf throughout history and also reveals the role scientists have played in wo… |
|
|
Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Portfolio 21 (Hardcover) $19.55 This memorable volume showcases all the winning and commended photographs from the world`s most prestigious wildlife photography competition: Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year.  This year, for the first time, it is p… |
|
|
Yosemite Wildlife $5.89 Yosemite was one of the first National Parks in the U.S. It is still one of the landmark parks, glorified by the photographs of Ansel Adams. It extends for 1200 square miles in Northern California, and is visited by 3 = million people a year,… |
