Priority Creatures.

Mully · #1 (**permalink**) 03-07-2006, 04:41 PM

I was just wondering what everyones thoughts were on which creature is the most elusive when it comes to photography? Is it just a case of the rarer species are the ones which are the most difficult to capture on film or are there animals and insects out there that you just cannot get a good pic of no matter how common they are as they are more secretive or just plain difficult to get?

I have a number of animals and birds especially that I would love to get some good shots of.

In order of priority.
1. Otter
2. Kingfisher
3. Red Deer Stag
4. Puffin
5. Barn Owl

What's yours?

P.S Sorry if this topic has been covered before.

Mark43 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-07-2006, 04:51 PM

Anything will do for me as long as it comes out sharp and exposed correctly.

Not having much luck at the moment with the new camera

Wild-Woman · #3 (**permalink**) 03-07-2006, 04:55 PM

I like to picture a:-

basking shark
puffin
any bats
Red Squirrel
bittern

nightshade · #4 (**permalink**) 03-07-2006, 06:04 PM

Bats and whatever the tiny bird was that only showed a retreating profile last year!

eeyore · #5 (**permalink**) 03-07-2006, 06:18 PM

1)Wolf
2)Bears
3)osprey
4)White tailed sea eagle
5) Otter (but in the wild - I have lots of captive shots already)
6) Kingfisher (as good or better than K lewis's shots)
7) Dragon flies (shots as good as those by Pxl and Oy)

paulthomas · #6 (**permalink**) 03-07-2006, 06:29 PM

My list:

1) Badgers
2) Red Deer rut
3) Stoat
4) Water Vole

Chalk Downlanders · #7 (**permalink**) 03-07-2006, 06:32 PM

[quote=eeyore]
6) Kingfisher (as good or better than K lewis's shots)
QUOTE]

Good luck matey

Mully · #8 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 08:34 AM

Cornwall is a great place to see Basking Sharks.

glsammy · #9 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 09:19 AM

[quote=eeyore]

6) Kingfisher (as good or better than K lewis's shots)
QUOTE]

Yep, that's my target and when I've achieved it I retire!

Gill Catton · #10 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulthomas

My list:

1) Badgers
2) Red Deer rut
3) Stoat
4) Water Vole

If you go to woolaton (SP?) park in Notts they have a heard of Red Deer there and it's relatively easy to get close even during the rut. Of course you won't have a stunning back drop of mountains or bracken and heather but you could probably still get some good pics, they have fallows there too so you can compare the different mating systems, the fallows have a lekking system rather than maintaining a small heard of females, the males gather and display at each other the females come and watch it's really quite sight.

Chalk Downlanders · #11 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 10:49 AM

I only started doing wildlife photography recently. Every time I go out I find something new and exciting with my now open eyes.

ian_g · #12 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 11:29 AM

You may have missed your opportunity to get a really decent photo of a Puffin as I think their season may well be over but the ideal place (would be a considerable drive for most) is The Farne Islands in Northumberland. I had the pleasure(?) of going a couple of years ago during the summer on an incredibly rocky boat journey (not the best of seafarers AT ALL). Once there I had to endure the Arctic Terns constantly pecking at my bald head (they are incredibly protective of their young). Apart from that, it was a fantastic visit, LOL.

Here are two of the photos I took whilst on the island.

http://www.igimages.co.uk/_birds/juv...rctictern.html
http://www.igimages.co.uk/_birds/atlanticpuffin.html

I'd love to photograph a Badger and a Fox. Haven't really thought about any others yet, just concentrating on my wildflowers

Never again though!

Ian G

P.S. Some time ago I did add a link to this site from my main website so I hope it's okay including these links. Here's where the Wild About Britain link is on my main site: http://www.igimages.co.uk/_links/naturalhistory.htm

StuartDH · #13 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 11:38 AM

Some butterflies are a nightmare to try and get a decent photo. The times that I've spotted something like a Brimstone and followed it over walls and hedges, and through rivers and bramble bushes, but it never lands on anything for more than a second and finally heads off over the edge of a cliff - leaving me 5 miles from the car

paulthomas · #14 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

If you go to woolaton (SP?) park in Notts they have a heard of Red Deer there and it's relatively easy to get close even during the rut. Of course you won't have a stunning back drop of mountains or bracken and heather but you could probably still get some good pics, they have fallows there too so you can compare the different mating systems, the fallows have a lekking system rather than maintaining a small heard of females, the males gather and display at each other the females come and watch it's really quite sight.

Don't need to travel that far. I've got access to a rutting site on private land which fringes Cannock Chase - 5 miles as comapred to 50

matt_xyz · #15 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 12:30 PM

I think I'd also have to go for a good Kingfisher shot. I've never even had one in my viewfinder let alone had time to press the shutter!

I would also love to see (and photograph) a male Stag Beetle. I've always been intrigued by these but have never seen one.

p.s. it's Wollaton park in Nottingham not Woolaton, just in case anyone is trying to look it up (sorry Gill

)

Matt

jezlee · #16 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 01:08 PM

A Wren!!!

May · #17 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 03:04 PM

Anything would do me really. I have a severe lack of wildlife photos due to lack of a good lense, though my photograph of a male blackbird makes me laugh every time I see it! Just imagine Roadrunner!

I'd be happy getting a shot of the birds bathing on my patio to be honest.

ian_g · #18 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 03:25 PM

If I could go back in time (shall have a word with Doctor Who) I'd have loved to have photographed a Tyrranosaurus Rex, Triceratops or a Stegosaurus. Could you imagine the sort of wildlife photos we'd be bringing back?!?! Now what lens would you use, a wide angle? I very much doubt it!!!

Ian G

rlchew · #19 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 04:34 PM

I only started taking up wildlife photography seriously in April of last year when I bought a DSLR.

I am still at the point, shoot and hope stage .... and I still end up with many shots of wildlife that has flown off or run off

leaving me with nothing!

My problem is that birds and mammals have always been my interest but this summer I am discovering the wonderful world of butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies. They present a double challenge for me .... ID and photography.

Every half decent photo that I get is a bonus as far as I am concerned but if pushed I would say I would most like to take good pictures of Otter, Pine Marten, Kingfisher, Red Kite, Osprey .... and the list goes on and on

.

Keeps me out of mischief I suppose!

Richard

eeyore · #20 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ian_g

If I could go back in time (shall have a word with Doctor Who) I'd have loved to have photographed a Tyrranosaurus Rex, Triceratops or a Stegosaurus. Could you imagine the sort of wildlife photos we'd be bringing back?!?! Now what lens would you use, a wide angle? I very much doubt it!!!

Ian G

T rex could only run a 4mph btw so a nice wide angle shot then leg it should sort things out. Triceratops and Steggies are freindly herbivores so again up close and personal is the way to go. Its those small jobbies that hunt in packs you need to watch out for. I look forward to seeing your shots in the Gallery

ian_g · #21 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 06:07 PM

I wish! Found a fantastic dinosaur 'gallery' before: http://critters.pixel-shack.com/
How fantastic would it be if these were actually real?!

Yes, the velociraptors wouldn't be at all good. They'd probably eat your camera first, just to see the look on your face, and then finish off with you.

http://critters.pixel-shack.com/WebI...ociraptor1.jpg

Ian G

gmsmith · #22 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 08:11 PM

As many good, sharp, photos of wild Buzzards as possible I love em

.
The icing on the cake an Eagle in flight

. But I would probably need the hubble space telescope.
Come to think of it I'd probably need it for the Buzzard as well

.

Geoff

paulthomas · #23 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ian_g

Yes, the velociraptors wouldn't be at all good. They'd probably eat your camera first, just to see the look on your face, and then finish off with you.

They were only about the size of a turkey though. I wouldn't rely too much on Jurassic Park's interpretation of their size and behavior

eeyore · #24 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulthomas

They were only about the size of a turkey though. I wouldn't rely too much on Jurassic Park's interpretation of their size and behavior

True but they hunted in big packs and so could pull down things much larger than themselves - in thwe same way as a swarm of bees can kill a man today. death by a thousand cuts , nice

eeyore · #25 (**permalink**) 04-07-2006, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmsmith

As many good, sharp, photos of wild Buzzards as possible I love em

.
The icing on the cake an Eagle in flight

. But I would probably need the hubble space telescope.
Come to think of it I'd probably need it for the Buzzard as well

.

Geoff

You can get some class buzzard shots at gigrin farm - they came and land in front of the hides while the kites are being fed - I'll put a few taken there in the gallery in the next couple of days and link here