How Animal Tracking Enhances Wildlife Photography

Wildlife photography isn’t just about luck. It’s often about skillfully trying to think like an animal. Mastering animal tracking helps you anticipate wildlife behavior and better position yourself for the perfect shot.

By Guest Contributor and Tamron Ambassador Seth Macey

What You’ll Learn In This Article:

• How to spot and study animal signs, like tracks and scat, for clues to wildlife hotspots in your area.
• Strategies for understanding animal behavior so that you can predict photo-worthy moments, not just react to them.
• Actionable preparation tips and essential wildlife photography gear I won’t leave home without.
• How to troubleshoot common challenges in the field, like setting up your first trail camera or overcoming the urge to chase rather than wait.

I’ve spent hours out in the field always searching not just for animals, but for the imprints of their existence they leave behind. Animal tracking isn’t just about finding wildlife. It’s about connecting to their routines and environment. Let me show you how proper animal tracking for wildlife photography changed my images and could change yours.

TIP 1: Prepare for Wildlife Photography Success

If you want to position yourself for the best opportunity to capture stunning wildlife behavior, preparation starts before you unzip your camera bag.

• Physical fitness for wildlife photography is key for hiking deeper, staying out longer, and capturing more.
• Preparation for wildlife photography success isn’t just about what you carry; it’s about how you move, think, and blend into the environment. Each element works together to position you for success.
• Lightweight wildlife photography gear keeps you mobile and quiet in the field. I focus on bringing only what’s essential, prioritizing functionality and blending in over excess equipment.
• Camouflage for wildlife photography helps break up your outline and makes you feel like part of the environment when waiting patiently for the perfect shot.

Read Animal Signs to Find Wildlife

DISCLAIMER: Always keep a safe distance from wildlife. Never intentionally track dangerous animals. Respect habitats and always follow local laws and guidelines to ensure your safety and theirs.

How to Read Scat for Wildlife Photo Opportunities

Scat might not be the most glamorous part of wildlife photography, but it’s one of the most reliable clues for tracking animals. Scat isn’t just waste, it’s undeniable proof of the wildlife around you.

• Fresh scat can tell you not only what an animal has been eating but also how recently it was in the area.
• Moisture, color, and the presence of undigested food all provide clues about how long ago the animal passed by.
• If you consistently find fresh scat in the same spot once a week, you can better figure out an animal’s routine.
• Texture tells you a lot about what you’re looking at. Liquid scat is almost always from birds, while fur-filled scat often belongs to predators.
• Scat with fish scales on land could be from a river otter.
• Large scat loaded with berries? You’re in bear territory.
• Liquid droppings beside pebble-like scat? That’s a grouse.

Much of what I know about scat came from curiosity, stopping to investigate every new pile I found in the field and comparing it with guides. Each sign you examine sharpens your tracking skills and deepens your understanding of wildlife.

Scat is only part of the story. Footprints are another crucial clue that supports your wildlife tracking techniques.

Reading Wildlife Tracks for Photos

I spend a lot of time looking down when I’m out in the field. Reading wildlife tracks for photos in snow, mud, or soft earth are like nature’s breadcrumbs, guiding you to wildlife hotspots and drawing a clear map across the landscape.

Near water sources are often some of the best places to find animal tracks. Shorelines, riverbanks, and the edges of ponds often reveal clear footprints in the mud or sand, as animals come to drink or hunt.

Animals are naturally efficient and avoid wasting energy whenever possible. They often follow well-worn game trails, riverbanks, and clearings, which serve as paths of least resistance. These areas are excellent places to scout for tracks and potentially set up with your camera.

I always visually document interesting animal footprints with my phone, adding my hand for scale. These records help me log local wildlife, track seasonal patterns, and get to know the subtle language of the wild.

One critical aspect I always watch for is the direction of footprints. This information is invaluable, revealing their routines and daily habits, whether they’re moving to water, bedding down, or foraging.

Pro tip: After a snowfall or rain, get outside and search for animal tracks. In these conditions, animals simply can’t hide their movements. Mud and snow are ideal for revealing their paths, making it perfect for wildlife photography.

TIP 2: Use Trail Cameras to Track Patterns

Trail cameras have become one of my favorite tools for understanding wildlife behavior. I remember finding a large patch of otter scat (called a latrine). I decided to set up a trail camera on a path nearby to see what was happening when I wasn’t around.

A few days later, the footage revealed a red fox that routinely used the same path in the early morning. That insight helped me plan my next outing, and I was able to capture an intimate portrait shot of a fox I’d been after for a long time.

Trail Cameras and Wildlife Tracking Techniques

Trail cameras can also reveal fascinating predator-prey dynamics. Before you even set up your camera, research what animals are native to your area. Look online and read local wildlife guides to understand what prey and predators you might expect.

For instance, if your camera captures snowshoe hares frequenting an area, and you know foxes or coyotes are supposed to be common in the same area, it’s worth setting up nearby to see if those predators follow. Predators patrol areas with abundant prey, so these signs can guide you to action.

Over the years, trail cameras have taught me a lot about animal routines. For example, I’ve learned that foxes in my area tend to use the same paths at dawn, while moose are more active at certain temperatures during specific parts of the year. This knowledge has completely changed how I plan my outings with the purpose of photographing animals.

Pro Tips for Using Trail Cameras:

1. Mount trail cams on trees but use small twigs behind the camera to adjust the angle if the trunk isn’t straight and pointing the camera at the angle you’d like.
2. Avoid branches or bushes in front of the camera to prevent wind-triggered recordings that drain the battery.
3. Set sensitivity to low or medium to reduce false triggers from moving foliage.

Learn Animal Behavior to Anticipate Shots

Why is the study of animal behavior important for photography? Studying what animal behaviors are is like learning a new language. The more you observe and immerse yourself in it, the more you understand how and why animals move and act. This deeper understanding of animal behavior helps transform your instincts into intentional choices behind the lens.

This knowledge lets you go from hoping to confident prediction—whether it’s recognizing that birds of prey often defecate before taking flight (my cue to ready the shutter) or that river otters hunt for fish through maintained holes in the ice on frozen lakes close to shore during winter. These animal behavior examples show how prediction improves photo timing. The more you observe, the better you can anticipate those moments that make a photo come alive, moments that truly define animal behavior in its purest form.

Example: Anticipating Animal Behavior for the Perfect Shot

In Alaska, I was on the coastal flats, watching a mother bear and her two cubs dig for clams. When a young male bear started running into their space, I knew she would get aggressive as bigger dominant bears tend to do with their cubs. Anticipating her move, I had my camera ready.

Sure enough, she rose onto her hind legs, then charged, driving the male away. It happened so fast, but this foreknowledge of her likely incoming protective behavior let me capture the exact moment she ran and lifted onto two feet— a shot I’ll never forget.

Practice Patience to Capture Better Shots

A common mistake in wildlife photography is thinking you need to chase animals to get great shots. In reality, the best results come from patience. Tracking and scouting help you find the right spot or area, and then it’s about waiting, letting the animals’ natural routines bring them to you.

Instead of chasing wildlife:

• Focus on using the clues around you to anticipate where they’ll be.
• Find a good spot and stay put.
• Stay downwind from where I think the animal might appear when you return to a promising area with signs like trails, scat, or tracks.
• Increase your chances of a wildlife encounter by staying downwind where you can’t be.
• Increase your chances for great shots by simply being out there often.

I’ve learned a lot from hunters. Set up on a known route, blend in, and wait. Same skills, just a camera instead of a bow.

Use Field Guides and Apps

Transforming chance encounters into intentional photography begins with expanding your knowledge. While you don’t need to be a wildlife expert to get meaningful shots, the more you understand about animal behavior and patterns, the more you can predict where and when to find your subjects.

Books like the Peterson Reference Guide to the Behavior of North American Mammals are invaluable for learning about habits, habitats, and signs, empowering you to seek out wildlife with purpose instead of relying on luck.

Technology can also play a crucial role. Apps like Google Lens can help you identify tracks or droppings you find in the field, serving as quick references when you’re unsure. Google Lens doubles as an animal track identification app, helping confirm species in the moment.

When you hit an identification roadblock:

• Tapping into community wisdom, whether from local enthusiasts, hunters, or fellow photographers, can give you valuable insights that would be hard to acquire on your own.
• I often reach out to wildlife photographers on Instagram who know way more than me for advice with tricky identification.

By seeking information and cross-referencing from multiple sources, you shift the odds in your favor, turning wildlife photography into a learned skill rather than a lucky break. But knowledge alone isn’t enough. Having the right equipment is just as crucial.

Choose the Right Lenses for Wildlife Photography

A successful outing in wildlife photography can hinge on a split-second, a subtle shift in light, or a sudden movement, moments when your gear needs to be as flexible and capable as you are.

Tamron 150-500mm F/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD

For me, nothing is better than the Tamron 150-500mm. It’s my answer to distant, wary, and potentially dangerous animals. The lens gives me the reach and detail to make even the shyest fox fill my frame, while its Vibration Compensation helps arrest camera shake from tracking subjects on the move.

Tamron 50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD

But for capturing animals within their environment—showcasing their habitat as much as the creature itself— the Tamron 50-400mm is my go-to. Its impressive focal range means I can easily frame a wide shot, but if that fox decides to wander closer, I can instantly zoom in for a tight portrait without fumbling for a new lens. It’s the perfect blend of environmental context and close-up readiness.

My Must-Have Wildlife Photography Accessories

• Tripod: For those moments when I need to hold a long shot, a stable tripod is a lifesaver or for when you want to capture super smooth video.
• Trail camera: There’s no substitute for it when you want to gather behind the scenes data about animal routines.
• Field guide or app: I use an animal footprint chart or an online animal track identifier tool to confirm what I find.

Key Takeaways

• Preparation is essential: Physical fitness, lightweight gear, and blending into the environment set you up for success.
• Read and research: Understanding animal habits, habitats, and patterns through field guides, apps, and local knowledge is crucial for anticipating wildlife behavior.
• Observe animal signs: Tracks, scat, and other clues in nature can guide you to wildlife hotspots.
• Understand animal behavior: Learning how animals move, and act helps you predict their next steps and capture better shots.
• Patience pays off: The best shots come from waiting and observing, not chasing wildlife.
• Enjoy the journey: Wildlife photography is as much about connecting with nature as it is about capturing the perfect shot.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Chasing wildlife: Approach slowly and give animals space.
• Overpacking gear: Only bring what you need.
• Ignoring wind direction: Stay downwind so your scent doesn’t spook animals.
• Skipping research: Don’t rely on luck—use guides, apps, and local reports to boost your odds.

Final Thoughts on Wildlife Photography Animal Tracking for Better Photos

Wildlife photography is about preparation and observation, turning chance into skill. By understanding animal signs and behavior, you can capture intentional, memorable shots.

Learn more about Tamron lenses for wildlife photography at an authorized Tamron dealer near you or shop directly at the official TAMRON Store.

About Seth Macey

Seth Macey is a wildlife and landscape photographer based in Ontario, Canada. Seth spends most of his time behind the lens immersed in nature, learning the land, researching, and tracking animal subjects. He is also the co-host of the Photographer Mindset Podcast, sharing ways in which listeners can build their mental fortitude, develop out-of-the-box thinking strategies, and work efficiently towards their own versions of success in photography. Website | Instagram

FAQs About Wildlife Photography Animal Tracking

1. What is animal tracking in wildlife photography?

Animal tracking in wildlife photography involves studying signs like footprints, scat, and trails to understand animal behavior and movement. This helps photographers anticipate where and when to capture the best shots.

2. How does understanding animal behavior improve wildlife photos?

By recognizing animal behavior patterns—such as feeding, hunting, or nesting—you can predict their actions instead of relying on luck, leading to more intentional and powerful photographs.

3. What are the best tools for tracking animals in the wild?

Trail cameras, field guides, and animal track identification apps like Google Lens are great tools. Pair them with quality lenses like Tamron’s 150-500mm or 50-400mm for detailed, close-range shots.

4. How do you identify animal tracks or scat?

Look at the shape, size, and texture of tracks or scat. Compare them with an animal footprint chart or use online identifiers to confirm species and activity patterns.

5. Why is patience important in wildlife photography?

Patience allows wildlife to return to their natural behavior, giving you genuine, candid shots rather than startled or distant ones. Observing quietly also helps you learn more about animal routines.

6. What Tamron lenses are best for wildlife photography?

The Tamron 150-500mm F/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD and Tamron 50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD are ideal for tracking and photographing animals from a safe, respectful distance.

7. How can I start learning animal tracking?

Begin by studying local wildlife, reading guides on animal signs, and practicing identification in familiar areas. Apps, local wildlife groups, and online communities are also great learning resources.