Capturing Behaviour: Threat

Capturing Behaviour: Threat

Wildlife Photographic Magazine

The second instalment of “Capturing Behaviour” looks at aggressive behaviour by exploring threat displays in primates.

My article series, “Capturing Behaviour” for Wildlife Photographic Magazine helps readers to understand why wildlife behaviour is important to wildlife photography. My writing is illustrated with my wildlife photographs.

This article series explores the importance of being able to identify and anticipate a variety of common animal behaviour to achieve better and more captivating results with readers’ wildlife photography.

Aggressive wildlife behaviour can make for visually arresting images. It can stop the viewer in their tracks and make them think. The physical display and/or facial expression of the animal is loaded with intent. It touches a primal cord deep within us.

Yet, contrary to what we might think, the lives of wild animals are not beset by constant strife. Disputes over access to resources rarely escalate in the wild. Paying attention to the subtle interactions of wild animals will help you, as a wildlife photographer to decipher, predict and portray a wide variety of emotions. Threat displays are a good place to start understanding aggressive behaviour.