All since I can remember, I have a huge love for animals and birds.  In harsh winters, I would hand-make bird feeders and feed wild birds.  Birds knew me and as soon I would show up, I swear they would follow me.

We had pigeon chicks on our balcony.  One time, when chick fell off the balcony, I went outside searching for him.  Sure, I found him and put back in the nest, even though my little hands were scratched from chick’s sharp nails.  That was my very first rescue.

Then, there was my first time when I saw a fawn. My heart melted, as people were bottle-fed him.  I fell in love with deer.  I even had my favorite postcard with fawn on it.

Then I volunteered at Pelican Man Bird Sanctuary, where I was fortunate to hold young foxes, feed baby raccoons, baby opossums, baby squirrels, baby armadillo, fawns, deer.  We even received a baby bobcat once.  Since it was a bird sanctuary, we would receive different kinds of birds from chick to an adult, from songbirds to raptors to water birds.  I would feed them, administer medication and even help out vet.  I learned a lot at the sanctuary, not only about the species, but also their songs and behavior.  I can identify birds by their song in the wild most of the time.  Of course, I did some rescues myself, too, and you will find me bringing a turtle to another side of the road.

Animals and birds are in my heart.  They seem to trust me, and therefore, I am able to come relatively closely to them and capture them on my camera.  To photograph wildlife, I find this helpful:

1.  Take a photo from a longer distance, just in case if animal gets scared and runs away.  At least you’ll have a memory captured.

2.  It is really important to gain trust with animal.  Respect their wildness and their space.

3.  Have lots of love and care in your heart.  Animals are very sensitive to energies.  That’s how they survive.  I believe, they sense their world.  They sense if you are dangerous, or not.

3.  Read their body language.  For example, deer will stump its feet, if it senses a danger.

3.  Stop, do not make any sudden movements.  Freeze in a place, play like you are tree.

4.  Eyes is a huge communicator.  Do not stare at them.  If they sense you, lower your eyes.

5.  Stalk like a cat if you have to.  Inch slowly.  Try not to make sounds.  Animals are very sensitive to sounds, like snapping a branch.

6.  If there is a tree or bush, hide behind it.

7.  Gentle voice sometimes helps, and keeps them curious. (It might help or might not).  Once, while I talked very gently, wild Mom deer with little fawn went by very close to me.  As if, she understood me that I am not dangerous.

Here are some of many photos I took of wildlife.  It is great to be one with a nature:

 Eastern Cottontail rabbit

I captured this Nine-Banded Armadillo in the dark.  I had no idea that armadillos can stand up on the back legs.  Did you know they are really good swimmers, too?

Beach bunny.  I took this shot at Siesta Key beach.

Four trouble-maker baby raccoons.

Did you know American Indians call raccoons hand-washers?  They have very sensitive paws and they feel their food with them.  Therefore, if you see a raccoon eat, it looks like they wash their hands constantly.

That’s unusual-looking animal, isn’t it?  It is a Fox Squirrel, and it is so much larger than normal grey squirrel.

I handed this bread to squirrel.  She made a great poser.   As you can see from her nipples, she is having baby squirrels in her nest.

Baby mockingbird meets baby rabbit

My Little Poser

You can feel my excitement when I captured this beautiful deer family all out in the open!  Notice their ears.  One ear is turned to me, and other ear is turned behind them.  They are always on the lookout.

This deer gave a birth to a fawn right in this spot.  I saw a little one, but the grass was way too tall to capture him.  Plus, I kept a distance not to scare them.

A pregnant doe snacks on water plants.  I captured her through the fence.

Two deer in sunset light.

Well, hello there.  Two year old all grown up since I saw him as a little fawn.

A tender moment.  Once again, I shot them through the fence, giving them a distance and privacy.

Blowing blueberries at me.

Now you know why fawn has so many white spots.  It is easier to camouflage among wild flowers.

This fawn is just hours old.  Still had wobbly legs while walking.

A beautiful couple.

Close together.

This fawn is adventurer.  His curiosity always took him away from his mom and sibling.  He is a survivor and very independent.

I got really close to him.  He is smelling the air where I stand.  Deer are still near and dear to my heart.

Watch out!  A new Sheriff in town!

This is a Cattle Egret.  When they are not around cattle and horses, they are seen on top of cars.  I even saw some riding on the top of cars, even on one at speed of 45 miles per hour.

Osprey by her nest.  Ospreys are called fish hawks because they mainly feed on fish.

Can you spot an owl?  Great Horned Owl is perfectly camouflaged.  The only give away is when song birds or crows make a ruckus by screaming and yelling and even attacking the owl.

Beautiful Bald Eagle perched on the fence.  It is not a familiar sight where we are.

Juvenile Wood Stork.  Notice the fuzz still left on his head.  Also, notice how he stands.  He seems comfortable.

Sandhill crane with two chicks.  This scene made my heart melt.   Did you know that Sandhill cranes paint their feathers with stick and mud to better camouflage themselves?  Notice brown patches on adult?  That’s painted.

Please use caution.  Common sense and keeping distance, especially while photographing chicks or baby mammals are required.  Mom birds and Mom animals are very protective of their young.  So, if you sense they are uncomfortable from their body language, keep still or carefully leave.  It is not worth to scare them and putting your being in danger.  Animals are wild and it is their territory.  Got to be respective of them.

See Big Cat Love photography here.