Wildlife Video Recording

[southernadkhiker]

At the end of my street where I live there is a huge field. At least 3 nights a week I hear a wildpack of coydogs barking, yelping, and howling. I 've always wanted to see these "packs of dogs" so I decided I was going to film them. Last thursday I checked out this tree stand that overlooked the field and it seemed pretty sturdy. With a steel 15 ft ladder bolted into the tree, and a few sturdy pieces of wood planking, I knew I had to go for it.
I left about 5 p.m. on Friday packed/wore some bologna, sweats, thermals, flashlight, and a steel barrel bb gun (not to shoot but, in case they tried to climb up the ladder, wack! It felt more appropriate to walk down my street with this rather than with a bat and a black hat covering my whole face, except my eyes.) Light snow was coming down, wasn't bad though. I climbed up to my stand, threw some bologna on the ground, and waited.
I threw out a couple of cries/howls but nothing in return. Finally, a half hour into it, I got a dynamite call from no more than 50 yards away in the woods, then the whole pack erupted with calls. I go to put my video camera on, and yea, there's a water drop sign on the L.C.D. screen. Won't play, won't record. Tried to clean the inside with my finger, but nothing could take away that sign. Finally, after about 10 min of fussing, the tape opening mechanism froze on me. I sat there, not seeing anything, but hearing these piercing cries from what seemed to be less that 50 yards away from me. I could actually hear them walking around but, never did I see em. Despite my camera not working, I really enjoyed just sitting on that stand for about another half hour. It's just nice to be out in the woods sometimes.
So, my first wildlife recording didn't go so well. Anyone out there got some interesting, first time stories. Or, some actual wildlife footage. I would be curious to read/watch.

[kurtteej]

Well the first time that I was out really trying to work to get a good shot [still photo] of an egret in the wild was interesting. I drove about 100 miles to the far eastern end of Long Island. About 3 miles before the end [Orient Point] is a town called Orient. At the western end of the town is a causeway that was built essentially to connect some land that shouldnt have been connected. In there is a salt water tidal pool that comes in with the tides under the causeway and creates a very nice wetland for wading birds to really chow down on miniature crabs, clams, minnows, etc.

So I get there and take off my shoes, set up my tripod and waited. There's a couple of egrets that essentially live there all the time, so it was just a matter of time before one came over to eat. I was sitting on the side of the pool and finally an egret arrives about 1/2 hour into my wait [which is pretty short]. It was eating in the middle of a grassy area just off the water -- soggy, but not flowing water. I waded into the water to get a better look and better position.

After about 45 minutes of slowly and quietly jockeying around I settled into a great spot. Egrets are kinda skiddish so it was a slow go because I didnt want to scare it. I was beginning to lose patience and shooting its neck and head and stretched a little. It had just had its fill and was taking off at just about the same moment. Without thinking I just pressed the shutter release and got whatever I could. I turned out pretty nice, as with most of my shots - a lucky shot.

[southernadkhiker]

I know exactly where orient point is. Been out to the state park there a few times. I grew up on long island I moved just north of syracuse last year

[Emily T]

great stories

Really enjoyed reading about the coyote adventure. Frustrating that your camera didn't work, but it must have been kind of cool (in a Halloween sort of way) to be able to hear, but not see them!
The picture of the Great Egret taking off is a winner, too.

Don't have any video/still images of Adirondack creatures (well, except for my backpacking partners ). I've got some from South Africa, though! Whoops, wrong forum...

Happy Thanksgiving all!