Viewing Nature From a Different Angle

There is an expanding interest in the natural world around us and the wildlife that inhabits that world. An increasing number of individuals are now seeking to experience nature and learn about wildlife.

One method used by some is to go into the outdoors and view from a vehicle either from in a car or tour bus or on the back of an open vehicle. Viewing from a vehicle may be good for viewing large game animals such as deer, elk and bison in U.S. National Parks or zebras, antelope and lions on the African savannahs and game reserves but it is a view from a distance. Viewing from a vehicle is however usually not good for seeing smaller animals and birds. The noise of the vehicle tends to scare them causing them to flee so that all we get is a view of the bird taking off or the animal scurrying away.

Most persons experience and view nature while on foot. Indeed some areas are inaccessible to vehicles and so on foot is the only way to get to certain places to observe. Even on foot however humans tend to scare wildlife because of the noise we usually make despite our efforts at moving quietly.

Another technique is to sit at an observation point, usually near or above a natural feeding area or an area where feeders have been installed, and watch the birds or animals as they feed. While this is good for getting close it often restricts us to only seeing one aspect of their life. Sitting at an observation point does not give us much exercise. Indeed one of the added attractions of nature watching is being outdoors and the exercise that we gain.

Kayaking offers the opportunity to get up close and almost personal with wildlife. While kayaking allows us to see mainly wetland species, there are a host of wetland birds, animals and reptiles that are fascinating to observe. Many wetland birds tend to nest or forage on the edges of the water. Some birds, such as ospreys, use branches that overhang the water as perches while hunting for prey. On foot, our view is often partially obscured by reeds and swamp trees as we try to observe from the banks. The use of a kayak allows us to approach wildlife from the waterside and so, in most cases, have an unobstructed view of the wildlife. Kayaking therefore enables us to see wildlife in their natural environment and from their level. Being in a Kayak lowers our profile as kayaks ride low in the water and this lowered profile is less threatening to many species. It allows us to get fairly close so that we can see most aspects of their daily lives.

Getting close to wildlife while in a kayak requires however the use of certain techniques. All sudden or loud noises will startle wildlife and so even in a kayak one has to be quiet. The splashes made by paddles entering water can be loud enough to scare away the very object of our desire. The technique required is to place the paddle slowly in the water and slowly make the stroke. As the stroke is completed one allows the kayak to gently glide across the water. Another stroke is not required until the forward momentum of the kayak has decreased appreciably. The objective is to have the kayak quietly and gently glide across the water with the minimum of ripples. Although kayaking allows humans to get close we usually cannot get within touching distance to most wildlife. Most animals and birds have a personal perimeter within which the entry of humans will cause them to move away. As such another part of the technique is to observe when we are getting to a distance that the animal or bird begins to show signs of agitation. At that moment we quietly stop the kayak and maintain that distance.

Some individuals are scared of kayaks because they have never used them. Learning the basics of kayaking is however very simple and can be done with a few minutes of instruction. Once the basics have been learned and equipped with a personal flotation device (life jacket) an entire realm of nature viewing is opened up along streams, in ponds and in sheltered bays.