The BioMARató is not only a citizen science challenge, but also a unique opportunity for nature lovers to hone their photography skills. Participating in the BioMARató is not just about documenting the biodiversity of our environment, but also about capturing its essence with images that convey the complexity of ecosystems. That’s why we wanted to write this post about the most important element in capturing a good photograph: animal behavior.
Nature photography is a unique combination of art and patience. For nature photographers, the ability to anticipate and capture meaningful moments often depends on understanding animal behavior patterns.
Understanding behavioral patterns
Animals, like humans, follow patterns of behavior that repeat themselves based on the time of day, the season, and their biological needs. Understanding these patterns can be the key to being in the right place at the right time.
For example, humpback whales migrate each year from their feeding grounds in Antarctica to the warm waters where they reproduce. Knowing these routes and the times of year when this happens allows the photographer to position themselves in the right place to capture unique images.
Another example is octopuses, very skilled nocturnal hunters. At night, they come out of their shelters to search for food, using their ability to change color and camouflage themselves.
Foto: yespi (MINKA)
We also have the example of the shy Elysia: if we want to find it, we must know that it is almost always found near the unicellular algae Acetabularia acetabulum. Knowing this, we will already have the information necessary to go into the water in search of this species.
Foto: alexander_odf (MINKA)
Although sometimes you can be lucky enough to find species that are difficult to see, it is often a matter of prior research into the animal you want to photograph.
Previous observation and research
Before going out to photograph, it is essential to spend time researching the behavioral pattern of the animal we want to immortalize. Knowing the local fauna, its eating habits and its behavior can make a big difference between one photograph and another. In addition, observing the behavior of the animals through the camera for a while can also help us anticipate their movements.
For example, if we want to photograph sunfish or rays, it is easy to know where they are usually found. We can ask other colleagues, consult other people’s Instagram images or, through the MINKA platform, see where these species have been photographed. Currently, in the Torredembarra area, in the new biotope that has been built, sunfish can be found almost every day.
Foto: monyant (MINKA)
Another example is seahorses, a species that is difficult to see. Trying to document their reproduction is complicated. The females deposit their eggs in the pouches of the males, which they then incubate. In order to document this phenomenon, it is necessary to know where they are found, and thanks to the MINKA platform we have been able to see that there are many of them in the area of Sant Feliu de Guíxols.
Foto: xasalva (MINKA)
At BioMARató we encourage everyone to invest time in understanding the behavior of the animals they want to photograph. This practice not only improves the quality of the photographs, but also offers a more enriching experience.
Author: Judith Camps Castella (Plàncton, Divulgació i Serveis Marins).