How Do Seasons Shape Wildlife Photography?

 When I first started this wildlife photography class in September, I remember my excitement as I headed out on the very first photoshoot. It was a sunny day, and everything seemed so alive. The birds were singing, hopping from branch to branch, looking for food, and the trees were still lush with green leaves. Flowers were colorful, and berries hung from the branches, looking almost too delicious to resist. It was like stepping into a fairytale. The world around me was full of creatures, each moment felt new, and I couldn’t wait to capture it all.

As the weeks went by, I ventured out on more photoshoots, moving from the warmth of summer into the cool embrace of autumn, and now, the coldness of winter. Looking back at all the photos I've taken, it's crazy how much the environment changes. What was once a vibrant, green landscape in September has transformed into a more barren, yet equally beautiful, winter scene. What’s even more interesting is how the animals change with the seasons too. Take birds for example—during the summer, their colors are bright, bold, and striking against the greenery. But by winter, their plumage is often more muted, blending with the gray skies and bare trees, almost as if they’ve adapted to their surroundings in a way that keeps them safe from the cold.

While there are certainly some ideal times to go out and capture wildlife, I’ve come to realize that each season has its own charm, even though they offer very different experiences. Summer might provide lush backdrops and vibrant wildlife, but there's something about autumn that captures my heart. The oranges, reds, and golds of fall make every scene look like a painting. The creatures, big and small, seem to come alive against the backdrop of falling leaves. The season brings out a different kind of beauty, one that enhances every shot, no matter the subject.

That being said, one thing that’s been hard to ignore is how unpredictable the seasons have become. I’ve noticed trees holding onto their leaves longer than expected, and in late October, I was still seeing bright berries hanging from branches as though they were in mid-summer. It made me pause and reflect on how much our climate is changing. I can’t help but think that global warming is affecting not just the trees and plants but also the animals that depend on them. These changes are something I’ve seen with my own eyes, and it’s hard not to feel that sense of urgency to capture these moments before they change even more.

Capturing wildlife in these changing conditions has shown me how much things are constantly shifting. Each season and creature has its own story to tell, and it’s up to us to document those moments. It's less about preserving nature's beauty and more about reflecting on how quickly it’s all changing around us. (Photo above: Eyebrow Thrust/ Below: Darked-eye Junco)