Garden and local wildlife
How to photograph wildlife in your area with Canon pro Guy Edwardes
Set up a hide
A portable hide will allow you to get much closer to wary subjects like foxes, badgers and even rabbits. Some of the easiest and quickest hides to erect have a pop-up design. I use one called the Ameristep Dog House, which is super fast to put up. I also use a more traditional compact dome hide, from Wildlife Watching Supplies. I always set up downwind of my subject, and with particularly shy species I introduce the hide gradually by moving it closer over a period of several days.
Start a wildlife diary
Begin recording natural events that occur locally – such as where and when the first orchids bloom; when dragonfly nymphs begin emerging from your pond; when fieldfares begin feeding on berries. Over the years you’ll be able to build up a useful resource that will enable you to plan ahead to capture those photographic events in future. An A4 diary planner is perfect for this.
Get artistic with flash
Now is a great time to get to know your flash a little better. On-camera flash is best avoided, so try using a wireless trigger and move your flash unit away from the camera. I use Godox V1 flashes that provide a particularly even light, as well as using rechargeable lithium battery packs that will keep them flashing all day! Gorrilla Pods can make useful light stands, enabling you to position the flash easily. Small collapsible softboxes can be used to help soften the light.
Shoot backyard wildlife
Gardens can be fantastic places for wildlife, especially if you have a pond or some rough areas with weeds and wildflowers. Hedgehogs, foxes, badgers, squirrels and mice are all frequent visitors to gardens up and down the country. If you live further north you may even be lucky enough to see pine martens. Plan ahead and get set up with your camera and long lens on a tripod, and pre-focus on the spot they usual forage. You might need to break out your speedlite to photograph them, as many garden mammals are nocturnal.