A black-tailed deer doe looks at the camera

Tips to make watching wildlife enjoyable and rewarding: 

•Keep voices down while approaching a viewing area to avoid scaring wildlife away before you get there. Although animals may disappear when you arrive, they often return shortly if you are quiet and still.

•Use binoculars and spotting scopes to bring animals "closer" to you without disturbing them.

•Bring a field guide to help you identify various species and the habitats they prefer. But, remember the goal is to identify with the wildlife, not just identify it.

•Often a close look reveals more. Look up, look down. Or peer through a hand lens to enter the world of insects. Animals come in a range of sizes and occupy a variety of niches.