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 Photo Tour 2008

Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Steens Mountain and Hart Mountain, Oregon
Tuesday - Friday
September 22-25, 2009.

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by Bruce Sanford

As I have mentioned, all animals are wild.  None of my pictures are of  tamed or captive animals.  It's not that I discount pictures of zoo or captive animals, it's just that I prefer to actually go to the animals' natural habitat.  To me, that is part of my photography.  I love taking pictures of big game, but just as much I like going for the smaller and less photographed animals.  A couple of my favorites are the Douglas Squirrel and River Otter.  As with most wildlife shots, whether they have feathers, fur or scales, it does take time and planning to get a good shot.  Once I find an animal, I try working with it as much as possible without disturbing it.  I don't run after animals.  I approach slowly and let them know that I'm there.  There's no way that I can sneak up on critters with a big lens.  I do use a blind occasionally, but also my vehicle. I simply motor along until I find a good shot, stop the car and fire away.  Needless to say, I avoid hunting seasons.