Wildlife Photography Locations

sdevine89

With spring finally arriving (well it's bright outside today) I've been thinking about making a list of spots around the country which I would like to get to in the near future for some wildlife photography. I use primarily a 70-200mm 2.8 and hope to have a 400mm 2.8 (:eek:) in the not too distant future so having to get very close won't be as much of an issue.

Where are your favourite spots for wildlife photography? What are the challenges/benefits of the specific location etc. I suppose it could also be nice if people post a few photos they have taken at different locations.

There is a great community here so I look forward to reading everyones suggestions.

xshayx

Newcastle (Wicklow) Bird Sanctuary has a few great hides to keep you hidden/warm/dry/comfy while you wait for a bird to turn up!

Its also a great walk around it.

flyingsnail

Not a location but a book recommendation if you are looking to photograph birds. Finding Birds In Ireland By Eric Dempsey and Micheal O’Cleary. (ISBN 9780717159253). It gives great details of where in the country you can what species, broken down by the seasons so you can see what birds will be where when. The directions are usually quite specific rather than just a general “in west Limerick”

Example

Ringmoylan Quay is another area with good views of over the mudflats, two hours either side of high tide is best. To get there, Leaving Limerick for Askeaton on the N69, turn off for Pallaskenry after 16km. Go straight through the village of Pallaskenry and turn left after 400m. After 1.5km take a right, then a left to the shore.

Followed by the species by season, further broken down into numbers like 1000s / 100s / rare

bernard0368

You can stroll out and find wildlife everywhere, local stream, park even your garden. That is easy to do.
If you are looking to concentrate on a particular species well then that becomes a different ball game. You will need to locate and study its movements.
I have not taken the camera out in nearly a year kind of lost the will.
I am now back out for the last month with the idea of photographing badger at night.
I found an active set three weeks ago. I have yet to take one shot. I have spent many a freezing night just studying their patterns and letting them get used to my scent so I can get closer. I may get there next week I may not.
I have noticed quite a bit about their habits,hopefully this will let me get the shots I hope for.
Get out look around wildlife is all around you.

However wildlife photography can be the most frustrating field of photography, when you get that one shot you will forget all the bad days and you will be hooked.

skwawk

Portumna Forest Park in Galway can be good, although I haven’t much experience of wildlife photography.

There’s fallow deer, red squirrels, foxes, if you take one of the longer trails you’ll probably see deer in the distance, and get a glimpse of a squirrel, but they can move away quickly. The forest is on the shore of Lough Derg, so swans, ducks, cormorants, moorhens can be seen by the water.

It can be quiet on weekdays on the longer trails, sometimes only see a few other people, busier on school holidays but families tend to stick to the main shorter trails.

JosDel

Turvey wildlife reserve, Bull Wall reserve, Booterstown reserve, Phoenix Park..These are a few places I visit.

keps

Keep an eye on( and ask questions of) the guys over on the Nature & Bird Watching forum.. they have their fingers pretty close to the pulse


http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=98958887&utm_source=notification&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=notification#post98958887

bullpost

Saltees Wexford- Gannets/puffins but also lots of other species. It will cost you to get to the island but worth it if you havent been before.

peckerhead

Fota Island, for instant gratification?

The Ging and I

hope to have a 400mm 2.8 .[/QUOTE]
If you are in the money range of a 400 2.8 I would go for a 500/600 f4
I have used 400 2.8s and just find they are not great for wildlife.
300 2.8 is great on boats or places you cannot use a tripod.

sdevine89

The Ging and I wrote: »

hope to have a 400mm 2.8 .

If you are in the money range of a 400 2.8 I would go for a 500/600 f4
I have used 400 2.8s and just find they are not great for wildlife.
300 2.8 is great on boats or places you cannot use a tripod.[/QUOTE]

I also shoot sport so 400mm 2.8 is probably need for bad lights under floodlights etc. Will probably grab a 1.4 extender so will have the option of a 560mm f4 and effectively the best of both worlds I think.

Pat Dunne

Here are a few from Sunday afternoon in the Phoenix Park
https://flickr.com/photos/123178002@N02/sets/72157663872673523