WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

by Chris Hirsch

I always knew that I would like wildlife photography but never had the time or the

proper equipment to do it right. After Nikon came out with the camera with the specifications

I wanted (and more), I finally decided to make the plunge and start acquiring what I needed.

Of course, being on a strict budget, there was lots of research and shopping for affordable

deals but I am finally putting together a modest collection of lens and other stuff needed to take quality photos.

I soon realized that owning the most expensive, high-end equipment (which I don't have) does not mean someone

will be a good photographer. It takes lots of practice, some luck and most of all, an immense amount of time

and patience. I have been blessed with the patience and I will find the time.

(this page will be constantly updated and upgraded)

photo by Alice Sullivan

My equipment: Nikon D300 camera body, Nikon D90 camera body,

Nikon 500mm ED f/4 P (manual focus) lens, Nikon 400mm ED f/5.6 (manual focus) lens, Nikon 300mm ED f2.8 (manual focus) lens.

Some of my photos:

BUTTERFLIES

Cardinal crushing a sunflower seed.- Nikon D300, Nikon 500mm f/4 lens

White-winged Dove

I am lucky to have a rather rare bunch of birds that have taken up residency in my back yard.

These are Nutmeg Mannikins.

White-winged Dove -Sugar Land, TX - Nikon D300, 300mm f2.8 MF lens

This is one of my favorite shots. Note the eye peeking through the wing feathers.

Elk - Escondido Ranch near Segovia, TX - Nikon D300, Nikon 500mm f/4 lens

Audad - Escondido Ranch near Segovia, TX - Nikon D300, Nikon 300mm f/2.8 lens

Coyotes - near Alice, TX - Nikon D300, Nikon 500mm f/4 lens

Bobcat - near Alice, TX - Nikon D300, 300mm f2.8 MF lens

Birds

Roseate Spoonbills fighting - Brazos Bend State Park, TX - Nikon 400mm f/5.6 lens

Roseate Spoonbill - Brazos Bend State Park, TX - Nikon 400mm f/5.6 lens

Wood Stork - Sugar Land, TX - Nikon 500mm F4 P lens

Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks - Sugar Land, TX - Nikon 500mm F4 P lens

Tricolored Heron - Brazos Bend State Park, TX - Nikon 500mm f/4 lens

Cardinal - Sugar Land, TX - Nikon D300, 300mm f2.8 MF lens

Golden-fronted Woodpecker - near Alice, TX - Nikon D300, Nikon 500mm f/4 lens

Northern Bobwhite quail - near Alice, TX - Nikon D300, Nikon 500mm f/4 lens

Indigo Bunting - near Alice, TX - Nikon D300, Nikon 500mm f/4 lens

Wild Turkey - near Alice, TX - Nikon D300, Nikon 500mm f/4 lens

Wild Turkeys - near Alice, TX - Nikon D300, Nikon 500mm f/4 lens

Great Kiskadee - near Alice, TX - Nikon D300, Nikon 500mm f/4 lens

strange shot of an American Coot - Brazos Bend State Park, TX - Nikon 500mm f/4 lens

Little Blue Heron - Cullinan Park, Sugar Land, TX - Nikon 500mm f/4 lens

Little Blue Heron - Brazos Bend State Park, Tx - Nikon D300, Nikon 300mm ED f2.8 MF lens

Mallard Drake and Hen - Brazos Bend State Park, TX - Nikon 400mm f/5.6 lens

Mallard Drake - Brazos Bend State Park, TX - Nikon 400mm f/5.6 lens

Belted Kingfisher - San Bernard Wildlife Refuge, TX - Nikon 500mm f/4 lens

Green-winged Teal - Brazos Bend State Park, TX - Nikon 400mm f/5.6 lens

Snow Goose - San Bernard Wildlife Refuge, TX - Nikon 500mm f/4 lens

Green Jay - near Alice, TX - Nikon 500mm f4 MF lens

Green Jays - near Alice, TX - Nikon 500mm f4 MF lens

Blue Jay - Sugar Land, TX - Nikon 300mm f/2.8 MF lens

Blue Jays getting tough - Sugar Land, TX - Nikon 300mm f/2.8 MF lens

Common Grackle - Sugar Land, TX - Nikon 400mm f/5.6 lens

Common Grackles battling over the seeds in my bird feeder,

Sugar Land, TX - Nikon 400mm f/5.6 lens

Sugar Land, TX - Nikon 400mm f/5.6 lens

American Crows harassing White Ibis - Brazos Bend State Park, TX - Nikon 400mm f/5.6 lens

Pileated Woodpecker - Brazos Bend State Park, TX - Nikon 400mm f/5.6 lens

Vermillion Flycatcher - Brazos Bend State Park, TX - Nikon 500mm f4 lens

Whitewing Dove -Sugar Land, TX - Nikon 400mm f/5.6 lens

The following photos were taken using a very inexpensive, low-quality telephoto lens.

The quality suffered somewhat but I like the content. These were my first bird photos.

Pyrrhuloxia - Alice, TX, Kenko 420-800mm f/8 lens

Green Jay (right) chasing away a Northern Cardinal - Alice, TX, Kenko 420-800mm f/8 lens

Others

Gator Walking. Brazos Bend State Park, TX - Nikon D300, 300mm f2.8 lens

Alligator - Brazos Bend State Park, TX - Nikon D300, 400mm f/5.6 lens

Eye of the gator - Brazos Bend State Park, TX - Nikon D300, 300mm f2.8 lens

A Pepsident Smile - near Alice, TX - Nikon D300, Nikon 500mm f/4 lens

Small Alligator - Brazos Bend State Park - Nikon D300, Nikon 400mm ED f5.6 MF lens

Big buck Squirrel - Sugar Land, TX - Nikon D300, Nikon 300mm f2.8 ED lens

Cactus Flower - many years ago while researching an early Texas site near College Station, TX, I saw a small cactus that had bloomed.

The flower was so unique that I carefully dug it up and brought it home. Every year it gives us many very unique flowers.

Shoney, the cat. Nikon D300, 105mm f1.8 lens

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