Good wildlife photography oppurtunities this winter?

Hey its all in what you believe, and please don't try to put someone else down for what they believe in. I don't know how you can compare PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY to wildlife photography, but I suppose you could go to some nude beaches and sit in the bushes and take photos if you want. There is a reward feeling you get taking a walk in the woods looking for wildlife, sitting quietly on the side of a lake photographing ducks and birds, or climbing 1000 foot up the side of the mountain to photograph some sheep and you get home and find out you had some nice photo's that day. All I had said was if shooting at a zoo, or game farm, or wildlife rehab center just post that is where the photos were taken. Many people do list that these were taken at the zoo, or a rehab center and there is nothing wrong in that.

Talaska wrote in post #9070374
Hey its all in what you believe, and please don't try to put someone else down for what they believe in. I don't know how you can compare PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY to wildlife photography, but I suppose you could go to some nude beaches and sit in the bushes and take photos if you want. There is a reward feeling you get taking a walk in the woods looking for wildlife, sitting quietly on the side of a lake photographing ducks and birds, or climbing 1000 foot up the side of the mountain to photograph some sheep and you get home and find out you had some nice photo's that day. All I had said was if shooting at a zoo, or game farm, or wildlife refuge just post that is where the photos were taken. Many people do list that these were taken at the zoo.

Hey, I didn't put anybody down! In fact I stated repeatedly that it's up to each individual photographer's own feelings/discretion etc. Don't put words in my mouth.

As far as "comparing" PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY to using Wildlife Models, I was sort of being facetious if you couldn't tell. But also a bit serious, as they are, if you break it all down to the bare bones, the same thing...you PAY a model to pose, the same way a person would pay a wildlife model.

If someone is opposed to it, fine, that's their prerogative or opinion. I respect that.

Yes I agree, it is REWARDING to be able to take a walk in the woods, climb a mountain etc, and find a subject(s) and take some wonderful images etc, but not everyone has either the time, physical abilities, or the resources to do this, esp if they DEFINITELY want or need photos of a certain species, and may have spent a sum of money to travel to a destination in search of their subject, but with no guarantee that they'll see it, let alone capture any quality images.

I do agree that pics taken under "controlled" conditions should be acknowledged as such if appropriate.

Also, if said photos are used by a publication or for advertising purposes, or a postcard, calendar etc, it's up to the publisher's discretion whether or not they reveal where or how the photographs were achieved.

I apologize if I offended you, or anyone with my posts, or if I misinterpreted what you wrote.

It's all cool.

No problem, and I agree with a lot of what you said. For me when I first look at the photograph, the first thing that goes through my mind is how did he get that shot before I even look at the lighting and the exposure. So that is why I like it when they post where they took the photo if taken at a zoo etc....

BigCountry,

ReelFoot Lake in northwest Tennessee has hundreds of Bald Eagles in January. Obviously, you can probably find some eagles on your own, but there are tours available if you need them.

that is a place i'll prbably go. not too far from louisville, ky. thanks for reminding me about it!

Canonswhitelensesrule wrote in post #9070540
I apologize if I offended you, or anyone with my posts, or if I misinterpreted what you wrote.

It's all cool.

No offence taken here.
Gotta love a goods exchange of views!

digidiva wrote in post #9072368
No offence taken here.
Gotta love a goods exchange of views!

That's cool.

Besides, we were on the same page with our thought process.

You do not need to go far, just go out when the animals are out - near dawn and dusk generally, and be near the woods and fields.

beartrace wrote in post #9089159
You do not need to go far, just go out when the animals are out - near dawn and dusk generally, and be near the woods and fields.

If only it were that easy!

Canonswhitelensesrule wrote in post #9067376
Also, I look at it this way...what's the difference between photographing a WILDLIFE "model", and a HUMAN "model"? Nothing in my books. You PAY a HUMAN "model" to POSE for you, to be able to SET UP the shot EXACTLY how you want it, for him/her to wear the exact clothes (or no clothes if that's your desire) that you want, etc. Because that way the photographer CONTROLS the photo session.

That's just plain silly. Human models choose to have their picture taken, wildlife models don't.

Check the website for state wildlife departments. Many of them have news letters on viewing wildlife that give good seasonal information.
Several states also have wildlife management areas and winter feeding stations that are used to encourage the animals to stay out of croplands, these make for great photo ops that are easy to get to and you can reliably see many animals on any day.
If you go to one of these areas, hit it early before feeding time so you can get animals in the surrounding area within a mile or two as they come in,and then again afterwards as they head back out. Usually once they hit a feeding area it's like a cattle feed lot and the pictures won't be as "wild" as you would like.
Here in Washington the wildlife department has a great site and emails a newsletter if you sign up that details the opportunities in different parts of the state. http://wdfw.wa.gov/vie​wing/wildview.htm