Camo clothing

[Simon Wantling]

Hi all,

I was just wondering what the consensus was on wearing camouflage clothing for bird photography. Is this something that a fair few of you do? Just interested to know your views.

Thanks, simon

[Nancy Bell]

I generally wear subdued colors but nothing special like camo clothing. However I do not wear white. More important, I keep my movements to a minimum. I think it is difficult to fool animals and birds about your presence. Their lives depend on noticing anything out of the ordinary. But if I stay still long enough, the animals no longer see me as much of a threat. Plus I do try to use natural things such as brush or trees to help break up my outline so any motion is not as obvious.

[Doug West]

No camo for me either. I just wear something somewhat dark in color, like maybe a dark green or brown.

Doug

[Daniel Cadieux]

No camo for me either, but I do wear neutral colours or darker tans, greens. I avoid white or very bright colours. Being careful with sudden movements and noises is key no matter what you wear, even camo...

[Gerald Kelberg]

Two sides to this discussion for me - I wear camo because I'm pretty sure it helps me blend into the background or at least be so unobtrusive that I'm non-threatening, when I am not moving. And when I am keeping still, I don't want to get cold.

So, the other side of it is that some of the warmest, most comfortable and practical gear for getting out in the weather has been developed for and by wildfowlers and hunters, and comes in camo patterns. A lot of the alternative serious, high-performance outdoor clothing is designed/coloured for high visibility for climbers, skiers and walkers, so isn't really what you want for wildlife photography.

But I would also say that if I was to wear my camo jacket down the street, my wife would pretend she didn't know me!

[Marina Scarr]

I rarely do any bird photography without wearing camo (or subdued colors) of some sort. I have several pair or quick dry pants of different greens, grays and browns. I try to wear neutral tops. One color I never wear is red. Some shorebirds are extremely sensitive to red. Many birders swear birds don't see color. I disagree b/c I watch birds react. The more I blend in, the closer I can get or the closer the subjects get to me.

[Charles Glatzer]

Earth colored clothing is typically all that is necessary for most species. However, there are quite a number of species where a blind will help. Low and slow is the way to go. Most birds spook from movement....over sound and/or color.

Chas

[Simon Wantling]

Thanks for all the replies. I did treat myself to a camouflage jacket. Well it all helps..

[Chris Poole]

I wear a long sleeve camo tee shirt and a camo hat to cover my blond hair when photographing wildlife. Case in point, I hunt and the closer you get to your subject the better... and like one poster noted..low and slow

[arash_hazeghi]

camo that is just color does not work with most birds especially raptors, their eyesight is better than us and they are not stupid ;) For camo to have an effect it needs to be 3D camo like a full ghillie suit, even with that you have to plan and be very careful with your movements

[Chris Poole]

camo that is just color does not work with most birds especially raptors, their eyesight is better than us and they are not stupid ;) For camo to have an effect it needs to be 3D camo like a full ghillie suit, even with that you have to plan and be very careful with your movements

Not a problem with Realtree AP camo. I have had Turkeys walk within 5 yards of me and never saw me unless I moved to get the to leave, not to mention the pair of redtail hawks that reside in my woods behind my home. Never had a issue with deer, hogs, bear or people.

[arash_hazeghi]

Not a problem with Realtree AP camo. I have had Turkeys walk within 5 yards of me and never saw me unless I moved to get the to leave, not to mention the pair of redtail hawks that reside in my woods behind my home. Never had a issue with deer, hogs, bear or people.

It makes 0 difference for hawks if you were wearing something else, just go try... hawks can see small gophers from 50 yards away, it is naive to think they can't see a 6ft two-legged object that is moving. Alan Murphy who is a master of camo can comment on this more...

[Chris Poole]

It makes 0 difference for hawks if you were wearing something else, just go try... hawks can see small gophers from 50 yards away, it is naive to think they can't see a 6ft two-legged object that is moving. Alan Murphy who is a master of camo can comment on this more...

To each their own. I just indicating what works for me for the last 50 years.

[Marina Scarr]

You cannot compare the sight of birds to mammals. Birds see much better and many more colors than mammals.

For Nancy, there is actually a book entitled "Real Birders Don't Wear White." :)