- Mother Animals
A mother animal is your number one challenge with babies. In zoos, she will often shield her babies from view with her body. In parks, backyards, and other uncontrolled circumstances she will assume a threatening posture to try to scare you away and may even attack you if you get too close. Even when the animal is a dog or cat, you know you must pay close attention to the mother's temperament when you are near her babies. Telephoto lenses are essential to avoiding her wrath. - Fast Babies
Once babies learn to walk, they are fast. Moreover, they are generally very scared of people. Their instincts tell them to run from anything that is not their mother. High shutter speeds and large apertures are essential to stopping the action. - Law
Law protects many species. Some laws require you stay specific distances from animals. Other laws only specify that you may not "harass" the animal. Please check with your local wildlife agency before getting too close. - Camouflage
Nature provides most babies with excellent camouflage to prevent predators from finding them. The best way to spot a baby animal is to look for its eyes. Many baby animal's eyes are brilliant blue at the first of their lives and that blue stands out among even the densest brush.
Enjoy watching and photographing the baby animals this year, but please also respect their space to keep them and you safe.
