Saturday, May 9th, 2026

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Saturday, May 9th, 2026

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Nature Smart: Searching for the whip-poor-will under the cover of darkness

The whip-poor-will, named for its haunting, repetitive call, thrives in dry, open woodlands with scattered clearings, often near pine or oak forests. The nocturnal birds are masters of camouflage, nesting directly on the forest floor where leaf litter conceals their mottled plumage. Active at dusk and dawn, they feed on moths and other flying insects. Whip-poor-wills migrate at night and rely on dark skies – light pollution threatens their already declining populations. (Photo by Stan Tekiela)

Most wildlife images you see are well planned out and researched.
Many times, it takes hours of preparation to capture an image. That means researching where a species exists in populations large enough to increase the chances of seeing one, traveling there during the season they are most active, driving to specific locations, and knowing your camera gear well enough to capture the images you have in your mind. And the list goes on and on.

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