How to Spot Animals by Breaking Nature’s Patterns

Wildlife photography is one of the most rewarding—and challenging—genres of photography. Animals are experts at blending into their environments, using natural camouflage to stay hidden from predators (and photographers!). For those who want to capture stunning images of wildlife, the trick isn’t just patience—it’s learning how to see the breaks in nature’s patterns.

Whether you’re hiking through Grand Teton National Park, sitting quietly by a wetland, or exploring a dense forest, understanding how to read the visual language of nature can transform your photography.

Understanding Nature’s Patterns

Nature is full of rhythm and repetition. Trees form vertical lines, grasslands ripple with wind, lily pads create a smooth blanket across still water. These repeating shapes and textures form the “background” of any landscape. Wildlife often camouflages perfectly against this backdrop—but no animal ever disappears completely. A flick of movement, a round shape among jagged edges, or a contrasting color is often the first clue that an animal is present. As photographers, our job is to notice these subtle differences.

How to Train Your Eye to Spot Wildlife

Here are a few field-tested tips for photographers:

1. Look for Eyes and Shapes

When I photographed a barred owl in Tennessee, its feathers blended seamlessly with the bark of the tree. At first, it was nearly invisible. What gave it away? Its round, dark eyes—perfect circles in a world of rough textures and straight lines.

2. Watch for Reflections and Movement

In a still pond, a frog was hidden in the lily pads, its green skin blending perfectly with its surroundings. The only giveaway was a ripple in the water, and then the shimmer of reflected eyes and golden throat. Movement often reveals what camouflage conceals.

3. Notice Contrasts in Color

In a marshland, a great blue heron nearly vanished among tall grasses. Its muted feathers mirrored the reeds, but the sunlight caught its sharp beak, breaking the pattern and revealing the bird. Color contrasts are some of the easiest giveaways to train your eyes to notice.

4. Spot the Unexpected in Texture

A young green heron chick is perhaps one of the hardest subjects to find. Its fuzzy down and mottled feathers were designed to disappear in the foliage. Yet, the chaotic, wiry texture of its plumage broke the repeating flow of leaves and branches, drawing my eye.

Why Pattern-Breaking Matters in Photography

Learning to identify breaks in nature’s patterns isn’t just a skill for finding wildlife—it’s a tool for creating stronger photographs. By noticing what makes the animal stand out, you can highlight that feature in your composition, guiding the viewer’s attention directly to your subject.

This technique also helps you anticipate shots. Once you know how to look for the small details that betray wildlife, you’ll begin to notice animals others might miss—allowing you to capture authentic, candid images of them in their natural environment.

Take Your Wildlife Photography Further

If you want to sharpen your ability to see wildlife and elevate your photography skills, consider joining me for one of my 2026 Wildlife Photography Workshops in Grand Teton National Park. These workshops are designed to immerse you in the field, teaching you how to spot wildlife through subtle pattern breaks, compose powerful images, and make the most of your time in one of North America’s most breathtaking landscapes.

Prefer a more personal experience? I also offer private lessons and custom workshops where I work with you one-on-one to help you identify wildlife through patterns and build confidence in your photography.

Spots are limited for 2026—

Register for Workshops Here

Final Thoughts

Wildlife photography is about slowing down, observing, and training your senses to notice what others overlook. The forest, the wetlands, and the mountains are alive with hidden subjects waiting to be seen. Once you learn to spot the breaks in nature’s patterns, you’ll unlock a whole new way of experiencing the wild—and capturing it through your lens.