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Today I learned about camouflage. I got to put some of it into practice outside of Trappers Paradise while we tracked a Blood Wolf. This was probably one of the better ways to learn the skill because the Blood Wolf has an incredible sense of smell and is very good at finding its prey.We talked about the different ways a Ranger can make themselves less noticeable in the wilderness, like covering yourself with mud, using leaves and other things from the area around you, staying low in bushes, and learning how to use the land itself to break up your appearance. It isn't just about hiding behind something. You have to think about what the animal can see, hear, and smell, and how your movements might give you away.While tracking the Blood Wolf, I started to understand why camouflage is more of a way of thinking than just hiding. If I am in the wilderness, I need to pay attention to the land around me and think about where I would naturally be difficult to notice. A good hiding place isnt always the place that looks like the best hiding place. Sometimes it is simply the place where I can remain still and become another part of the surroundings. We also briefly talked about Social camouflage and how different it is from hiding in the wilderness. We (humans) in general are much less attentive to our surroundings than most wildlife, so blending into a crowd can sometimes be as simple as looking and acting like one belongs there. In a place like Kugnae, this could be useful when moving through populated areas such as West gate, MMM or perhaps even a Tribunal without drawing attention. You don't always need to disappear. Sometimes you just need to appear as someone people don't think twice about. What I took from this lesson is that camouflage is really about observation. Before trying to hide, I need to understand what I am hiding from and what they are likely to notice. In the wilderness that might mean sight, sound, movement, or scent. Amongst humans it might be the way I dress, walk, speak, or act. The more I learn to notice my surroundings, the easier it becomes to use them to my advantage.I think this is one of the skills that will continue to improve with practice and experience! | |