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<p>Hi all,<br>
<br>
A few months back I stated on this list that "camo gear isn't very useful'. I<br>
am now revising that statement to:<br>
<br>
"Camo gear is not significant ... unless you intend to do something like a<br>
blind or sitting in one spot for a long time in order to get a look/photo of a<br>
bird that is often unapproachable." And especially if you are going to "wait<br>
for the bird to come closer to you".<br>
<br>
What camo does is to minimize the perception of movement or presence by<br>
birds - it does work. It's really a matter of "how much" more than "if".<br>
<br>
However, I still say that in my experience it is "movement' and especially<br>
"movement in a direction that brings you closer to the bird" that is most<br>
important. And more important than the clothing you wear or how much<br>
noise you make - of course, darker/less contrasty clothes and quiet will<br>
decrease a bird's flushing due to your presence. And, again, each <br>
species seems to have it's own "how close/how much movement" <br>
limits ... and individual birds of a species can be more/less sensitive<br>
that the general limits of its species. Sometimes significantly. And that,<br>
in general, if you have a camera and a specific lens (my primary focus)<br>
then the size of the image in the view screen is "pretty much the same<br>
for all birds of all species" in terms of how close you can be before they<br>
flush. Get a picture, move a little closer, get another picture ... and watch<br>
to see when the bird(s) get "antsey" ... that's going to be about as close as<br>
you will get before they more away. Some species will fly, some will only<br>
walk/waddle/swim further away (ducks, geese, swans in particular).<br>
<br>
- Jim in Skagit County</p>
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