2. Cornering - Cornering an animal is all too common, and one of the worst things a photographer can possibly do to stress out a wild animal. This is when a photographer gets way too close to an animal and either is so close that the animal is afraid to move, or has cut off all the animal's possible escape routes. Different species of animals have different responses to fear and being cornered. For example, when confronted by a human that gets too close, the northern saw-whet owl’s initial response is to freeze. With this species, photographers who get too close often think they have come upon a “tame bird.” I had the misfortune of seeing a photographer bust out a macro lens and hold it mere inches from a poor saw-whet owl’s eyes. Don’t get too close, and don’t corner an animal.

3. Capturing - Reptiles, amphibians and insects, are small, skittish and difficult to photograph. Some photographers think it is okay to literally capture them, and pose them how they like. This is disrespectful and unethical, as the strain and distress it puts on these creatures is not worth the photograph. Would you trap a wild fox or bird and pose it for some photos? It's the same thing.

4. Feeding - Feeding wildlife or luring them with food in order to get them close enough to photograph is a dangerous and unacceptable practice. Some animals around the country are so used to receiving food from humans that they get dangerously close to campsites and hikers. These habituated creatures are more likely to be struck by cars in human areas, shot by police because of their proximity to people, and many other negative things. Also, an animal that has been habituated to humans is much more likely to strike at a human rather than flee.

5. Dens and Nests - This is a simple one. If you know the location of something like an owl nest or fox den. Enjoy it from a considerable distance and keep the location of it to yourself. The absolute last thing you want is hordes of photographers stressing out the animals.