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exceptions to this observation, but it’s a good barometer to start with). Because the light is usually best at those times of day too, that’s definitely a plus for most wildlife photography. While you are practicing your wildlife photography skills at your local zoo, try different focal lengths to see just how wide you need to be to get a full-frame body shot (Figure 5.4). Then practice how close you need to be to get a frame-filling portrait at your longest focal length (Figure 5.5). A trip to the local zoo with a Nikon D300s and a 28–300mm VR lens enabled me to compare focal lengths at a given distance to my subject and to practice handholding at slow shutter speeds.

Figure 5.4 A zoom lens enabled me to back off and get a full-body shot of an Amur Leopard at the Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City.

Figure 5.5 Using the same zoom lens, I was able to increase my focal length to its greatest magnification for a tighter composition.

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Tip

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center and Wildlife Safari also cater to photographers, offering special tours and hours for those interested in early entry or behind-the-scenes photo opportunities.

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Visiting a game park is a great way to prepare for going on a safari. Game parks are set up so that you are in a cage (car) while the wildlife roams free (within a large area), similar to what it’s like when you’re on a real safari in the wilds of Africa. The animals may be at a distance, or they may come right up to the vehicle (just like in Africa), so you’ll need to learn to become proficient at quickly changing from a super tele to a mid-range lens to get the composition you desire at varying distances. In the process you’ll learn the types of images that you can and cannot make from a vehicle. Some wildlife parks (Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose, Texas) have their own safari vehicles that are much like those used on African safaris; others (Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon) allow you to drive your own vehicle on designated roads.

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Note

Photographing from a vehicle creates a new challenge of learning to keep movement to a minimum to avoid camera shake. You have limited range of motion to get your lens on your subject, and your camera support is aided only by the windowsill or hood of the car rather than a stable tripod. But with patience and practice, it is certainly a viable way to shoot.

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Wildlife Refuges

Wildlife refuges are scattered around the country and have been set aside as preserves for wildlife habitats. Bird populations and species vary depending on the season. During the winter, nonmigrating residents inhabit these refuges, as well as species that come to winter over from places farther north. When spring arrives, an entirely different bird population inhabits the refuge to nest and raise its young. Refuges are a great place to start your wildlife photography journey because you have great opportunities to photograph wildlife that is relatively habituated to people. Some refuges allow you to get out of your car and use ditches as a boundary between you and the wildlife; others have a policy that requires you to shoot from your vehicle. (Here is where the practice at a game park comes in handy.) Depending on the type of wildlife you are targeting, most likely a wildlife refuge exists that will serve as a great location to visit. For example, every year I lead a photo adventure to Bosque del Apache the first part of December (see “Fall” later in this chapter for more on Bosque). This is the peak time for photographing because tens of thousands of snow geese (Figure 5.6) and sandhill cranes winter over, feeding on the corn and alfalfa that is grown for them.

Figure 5.6 Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is home to over 30,000 snow geese and nearly 10,000 sandhill cranes each winter.

Workshops

You may want to go farther afield to photograph subjects that interest you but are hesitant to go alone. Whether it’s the safety factor or simply the desire for the good company of others who enjoy the same pursuit you do, taking