adivce for shooting several types of wildlife?

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Jeremy K
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p.1 #1 · adivce for shooting several types of wildlife?

I started out doing astrophotography but found myself doing a lot more daytime photography in the last year or so, especially as I got to Salisbury University and am only 30 and 60 minutes from Assateague Island Md and Va, which have some fantastic shooting conditions and the ponies arent birds so its a nice change!

I'm home for my winter break and I really dont know many places to photograph in Harford County, Maryland, so if anyone who lives around there happens to know some good spots feel free to share, though I have some places im looking to try out.

Landscapes are alright but I love shooting wildlife, thing is, I cant find most of what I want to shoot. I've heard owls in the distance and there hoot is coming from every direction. Those of you that do shoot owls, is there any advice to finding them or areas they are more likely to be?

I've heard eagles are common around Conowingo Dam and will have to look into that. I'm not that familiar with them, but with the abundance of eagle shots right now I guess they dont mind the cold weather and I have a good shot at seeing them right now?

I'd really like to shoot the larger ground wildlife like wolves (probably never going to see one around here) and all, though my long range lens is just a 70-200mm f/4L right now....i've got a 40D so I can crop a good amount, though its nothing like the lenses most of you use. Deer are common enough around here, though a number of them are scared easily. Any advice on creeping up on wildlife?

IF I ever managed to be so lucky as to find a predator like a wolf that would actually pose a threat to me is there anything important to know to keep them from being too interested in me as a snack?

Any advice to finding other birds of prey as well? I've had a random hawk land in my backyard a handful of times but never get a shot of it.

I love doing long hikes and all searching for these guys, but between having a hard time finding targets and my ankle being kind of messed up right now its hard to do these hikes unless they are short so knowing where i'm most likely to find targets so I can stay off my ankle is really helpful.

thanks!
Jeremy

Jan 08, 2008 at 04:25 AM

RT v Genugten
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p.1 #2 · adivce for shooting several types of wildlife?

. Hike a lot, don't forget your binoculars
. Learn and read about your subjects
. Find somebody who's experienced in observing animals
. Patience!
. Let the animals come to you
. For deer and elk: excellent working "calls" are available, you can even produce those sounds yourself
. Enjoy!

Good luck!

RT.

Jan 08, 2008 at 09:36 AM

John Wolff
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p.1 #3 · adivce for shooting several types of wildlife?

Jeremy, ask around and find parks that are known for wildlife. I live an hour north of NYC and deer are more than plentiful, but we also have coyotes, foxes, wild turkey and a rare bobcat. There are also eagles nearby in the winter along the Hudson River. I'm sure you can find similar areas. Search on animals in your area on the web. For Wolves you will probably have to go to a preserve. There is one called Lakota in western NJ but they charge a lot to photograph. I am lucky to have one in my town.

http://pahooj.smugmug.com/Birds%20and%20Animals

John

Jan 08, 2008 at 03:10 PM

Jeremy K
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p.1 #4 · adivce for shooting several types of wildlife?

Thanks for the tips guys. I dunno about binoculars though, as I tend to use my lens as the same kind of thing. Do most of you use binos?

Jan 08, 2008 at 05:21 PM

RT v Genugten
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p.1 #5 · adivce for shooting several types of wildlife?

Binoculars have incredible DOF and angle. Therefore they are great to scan every branch, bush, piece of grass for wildlife!

RT.

Jan 08, 2008 at 07:38 PM


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