Photographing Wildlife in Movement

Whereas I do Not claim to be a proffessional wildlife photographer... I have managed to figure out a few easy tips for wildlife. Here are my tips, along with some photographs to help explain and tantalize the visual senses!

Horses are a bit tricky, the easiest ones to photograph are of course ones that perform, at races, hunter jumper, or dressage, even rodio horses, because they are used to being photographed by the press and proffessional photographers. However, if you have a horse that is not so familiar with our society, be sure to keep your distance when photographing to test the waters. I've found most horses spook just a little bit when my camera flashes or makes it's clicking noises. The best bet is to just do without the flash, and photograph at a safe distance. Wouldn't want to be That close to a horse when it rears from panick! Just use your zoom!

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The first word of advice on photgraphing birds.... If you are out in the wilderness where the there are predatory birds, bring your telephoto lense! These suckers fly so high that my 55-75mm lense couldn't even get that birdie above (I believe it was a hawk)! Just a sillhouette, wich does, on occassion, make a good wildlife portrait....

The photo above was of an Osprey just over Foy Lake. One of my more frustrating moments. This bird taught me to Never take my eye away from the lense when I'm planning on capturing wildlife on film. It was on the top of a tree not even 8 feet from me, I took the camera away from my eye to check the setting and as I looked down it flew away. I Missed that fly off moment!! You just never know when wildlife is going to move next, and they are faster than you think! Just keep that camera at the ready and don't look away till you get that shot, patience is a virtue w/ wildlife photography.

When you look up close to the picture... it does seem as though he's staring right at me.....

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Smaller birds are relatively easy. All you really have to do is prepare yourself to sit for a long while. I usually go just outside my door and sit, after about five to ten minutes the birds that were there will most likely come back. Once they get used to your presence they'll go back to their business. When I'm sitting there I'll focus in on part of the tree where I see them landing most. And I'll keep it there, wether or not there is a bird in the frame at the time. Why is this? Because if I tried to chase after their movements all the photos would be blurry! Little birds are busy little creatures. The best method I've found is to anticipate their movements, or wait untill they come into your frame. Or focus on that one bird that seems to be perched for good and wait untill it moves. That's how I got the next shot...

here's one more of that type of bird... I really need to find out what type of bird that is!

I love going out near bodies of water during the spring too. Then you get to see the birds hunt in the water, and their chicks waiting nearby. Like these two little odd birds. Does anybody know what these birds are? I really need to get a bird guide. :)

          Right after I took the photo above, the adult in the bottom left corner dove into the water. He was hunting in the water like this......

.... Natural Torpedo!!! Ahh... Gotta Love Mother Nature's Wonders!


    That concludes my photography tips for horses and various birds.... The next bird I've got my sights on is a Blue Jay. We have a Giant one that hangs out in a tree in front of our house for about two weeks during the Summer. He's such a skiddish thing, he flies off the moment he notices me :( Perhaps I'll break out the camo and sit overnight! Hey, it's my version of "hunting" :D I hope these tips have helped. Stay in tuned for my next blog, wich is going to be tips on photographing deer and dogs.

                                                Thanks for the interest!

                                                              Ray