Camera trap captures incredible wildlife crossing log bridge

(Image credit: Robert Bush)

You don't need a pro-level camera and telephoto lens to capture amazing footage of local wildlife – as proved by a YouTube video that shows an incredible mixture of animals crossing a log bridge in Pennsylvania. Captured by local man Robert Bush using a camera trap, wildlife including bears, bobcats, grouse, beavers and more used a fallen log to traverse the terrain.

This amazing video was created using a trail camera over the course of a year. It seems that Robert Bush was able to cannily predict that the fallen log would provide a 'choke point' for land-based wildlife to be able to cross the river. Meanwhile, water-based wildlife could use the log as a resting place (or, as you'll see at 0:48, as a place to violently bash their freshly-caught fish into submission).

• Read more: Best camera for wildlife photography

Robert Bush runs the Facebook page and YouTube channel Bob's Pennsylvania Wildlife Camera, where he regularly posts updates from his collection of trail cameras across Pennsylvania. According to Robert Bush's YouTube description, he uses the Browning Special Opts Advantage trail camera in the WMU 4D area in the Pennsylvania mountains.

The beauty of trail cameras is that they completely remove the human element from wildlife photography and videography. Even the most experienced wildlife photographer runs the risk of encroaching on their subject's space and affecting their behavior. However, other than the initial setup and retrieving the footage (and occasionally changing the batteries if it's not solar powered), a trail camera gives wildlife the solitude they desire – while also giving us a precious insight into their day-to-day lives.

While we might not all be lucky enough to have bears and bobcats in our backyard, it's super easy (and rewarding!) to capture footage of your own local wildlife. All you need to do is invest in one of the best trail cameras, pick a suitable spot in your garden or local woodland (check that you have the required permissions first) and then simply sit back and wait.

In the meantime, check out more of Robert Bush's incredible wildlife footage here.

With over a decade of photographic experience, Louise arms Digital Camera World with a wealth of knowledge on photographic technique and know-how – something at which she is so adept that she's delivered workshops for the likes of ITV and Sue Ryder. Louise also brings years of experience as both a web and print journalist, having served as features editor for Practical Photography magazine and contributing photography tutorials and camera analysis to titles including Digital Camera Magazine and Digital Photographer. Louise currently shoots with the Fujifilm X-T200 and the Nikon D800, capturing self-portraits and still life images, and is DCW's ecommerce editor, meaning that she knows good camera, lens and laptop deals when she sees them.

Get the Digital Camera World Newsletter