Let’s Get WILD!!!

Let’s go a little off the beaten path this week - and let’s get WILD! 🦁

If you follow me, you probably know me as a dog photographer. (And a pretty obsessed one at that!) But what you might not know is that before I was chasing dogs around with my camera, I was photographing high school seniors and families. Even earlier than that, I was a regular fixture at my kids’ K-8 school, volunteering as the go-to photographer for school events and yearbooks. (Some of you reading this might even remember me from those days - hi, friends! 🙃)

Out of all those experiences, something else quietly started to take root: a deep and lasting love for wildlife photography.

It started innocently enough, with a few walks through local state parks. But it wasn’t long before I found myself setting my alarm for 3 a.m. to catch sunrise at the summit of Mt. Blue Sky - all in the hopes of capturing a magical scene to include some of the alpine wildlife: mountain goats, ptarmigan, marmots, and of course, the most adorable of high-altitude critters: the zippy little pika. (Trust me, once you’ve seen the tiny fuzzy bullet scurrying through the tundra carrying a colorful bouquet of wildflowers for his winter store, you’ll be hooked!)

Mountain goat nanny & baby

Ptarmigan, crazy how well they blend in!

Marmot, doing what they do - lounging

Pika with a bouquet for his winter larder

Before I really dig in, let’s talk for a second about the “LUCK” aspect. Spoiler alert:

IT’S NOT LUCK!!

😂 Okay okay, I’ll admit it, I might be a little sensitive when someone says, “How lucky!” after seeing one of my wildlife images. But here’s the thing: just like most other genres of photography, wildlife photography takes a ton of hard work and dedication.

Sure, sometimes a coyote does cross my path at the perfect moment. But that “lucky” moment only happens because I put in the effort: hours of location scouting, learning animal behavior, tracking seasonal patterns, and choosing exactly where and when to show up. Add in a kajillion hours behind the camera learning exposure, focus, timing, and how to adapt in ever-changing light... and voilà, maybe I get the shot.

So yes, right place, right time? Maybe. But I’m the one who chose that place and that time, based on intention and preparation. That’s not luck. That’s perseverance and skill.

Okay, now that we’re all on the same page… let’s move on to the fun stuff! 😁

Over the years, I’ve spent countless hours tracking down wildlife. Here are just a few of my favorite subjects:

• Birds of prey – there are too many to list here, so I’ll just tell you about a couple of my faves!

  • Kestrels are the littlest falcons. I cannot resist the coloring (and polka dots!) on the males. They are ridiculously cute for such a fierce little predator!

    

    Male American Kestrel

  • Great horned owls can be found pretty much everywhere, but FINDING them is the tricky bit, since they have GREAT camouflage! The babies look like something Jim Henson created. 👹

    

    Great Horned Owlets

• Moose - they are such weird creatures, it’s hard not to love them! Did you know that moose can lift their hooves up to shoulder height to help them clear deep snow? When we go camping in the summer, I’m always scanning for moose!

  

  Bull moose in velvet

• Foxes - oh gosh, talk about a cuteness overload! Fox kits at play are endlessly entertaining. I cannot express how many days I have spent scouring Colorado for foxes, just for the hope of discovering a den. And often, when I see one, the encounter is way too fleeting.

  

  Litter of red fox kits

• Bighorn Sheep - I make it a point to visit a local spot in the fall during the rut and then I return in the in the spring to spot the newborn lambs.

  

  Ram during the rut

  

  Ewes and their (older, fall) lambs

• Coyotes, seasonal ducks, and more at state and local parks. There’s always something happening if you’re paying attention!

  
  
  

  Coyote with his breakfast

  

  Wood duck in the fall

  

  Winter bunny

  

  Prairie dog

  

  Long eared owl in a light snowfall
  
  

• Backyard wildlife - sometimes you don’t even need to leave home for wildlife encounters! All of the following were taken in my backyard.

  
  
  

  A male kestrel stopped by with his dinner

  

  A young Cooper’s Hawk

  

  A red tailed hawk

  

  We installed nest boxes to encourage mountain bluebirds to stay

  

  And planted flowers for the hummingbirds

  

  Wild Russian thistle attracts butterflies

  

  Squirrels are always good for a laugh!

  

  Occasionally a vixen and her mate will stop by

  

  While she’s busy hunting, the male took it easy, LOL

  

  Bobcat in a tree
  
  

  Okay, okay, yeah, you got me. The last photo, the one of the bobcat, wasn’t taken in my backyard. It was taken in a dear friend's FRONT yard!! 😝

Oh gosh, that was a DELIGHTFUL trip down memory lane for me, and I sure hope you enjoyed it as well! But now let’s talk about setting you up for success in your own wildlife journey.

A Few of My Wildlife Photography Tips

If you're thinking of getting into wildlife photography - or just hoping to level up your game - here are some of my tried-and-true tips:

1. Know your subject. Research the species you're hoping to photograph: where they live, when they’re most active, what they eat, and how they behave. This gives you the best chance at an encounter - and a safe one, for both of you.

2. Timing is everything. Early mornings and late evenings are magic. Not only is the light beautiful, but animals are more active during those times.

3. Be patient. Wildlife doesn’t operate on your schedule. I’ve waited hours (and returned for days) just to catch a single shot. It’s part of the thrill - and when it pays off, it’s unforgettable.

4. Blend in. Stay quiet, wear neutral colors, and avoid sudden movements. Wildlife will be more likely to go about their business if they don’t feel threatened by your presence.

5. Respect the animals and their space. A photo is never worth stressing an animal or putting yourself at risk. Use a long lens and keep your distance. If the bird/animal changes their behavior, that’s a clue that you’re too close!

Lastly, don’t forget to take your camera with you when you travel! I joined hubby Ken on a work trip to Hawaii and spent some time with the crabs (don’t judge - there aren’t a whole lot of crabs in Colorado, so they were very interesting to me! 🦀😂) And I managed to catch a Sally Lightfoot Crab spitting sea water… ya don’t see that everyday!

Sally Lightfoot crab spitting sea water

Whether it’s the thrill of tracking a shy fox kit or the delight of spotting a bluebird right outside your window, wildlife photography has a way of slowing you down and tuning you in. It’s about more than the photo - it’s about the experience. The quiet. The connection. The moment you realize just how wild and wonderful our world really is.

I'd love to know... what wildlife have you crossed paths with lately? Have a favorite animal to photograph? Or maybe one on your bucket list? Drop me a comment below, I’m always up for a good wildlife story!

Ginger Wick Photography is an award winning dog photographer specializing in creating beautiful custom artwork of dogs & their people. Based in Parker, CO serving the Denver area.