How to Photograph Wildlife on a Nature Reserve (UK) - My Top Tips!

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Do you make use of nature reserves for your own wildlife photography? Walking around these sites you never quite know what you will get, but which is better? Planned or Opportunistic Shoots? Watch this video where I share my thoughts on the advantages and disadvantages of both: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jau6nIh8Z6iJoZo

[@paulbaldwin2290]

Some great tips and information Paul ! Excellent teacher keep it up👏👏

[@pdel7007]

Apart from the hides which tend to be there for bird watchers, I find nature reserves (rightly) put the wildlife first and photographers second. There can be lots of reeds and undergrowth so I find it's an opportunistic environment. The reserves along with parks are great places to visit especially when you get to know them a bit. Lots to think about in your vid thanks.

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

I would agree with everything you've said. It's usually a case of discovering the best photo opportunities for you.

[@Kellysher]

Love the Channel Paul! I find the Merlin App very useful for sound ID. It helps me learn and lets me know if I should stay longer and try to find a unique bird! I love going to my local Nature preserve very early in the morning when I’m often alone! It’s such a spiritual experience! The best action is in the morning, then apparently all the birds in my area take a nap after breakfast!

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Thanks very much. Yes, I've seen it but haven't used it myself. Early morning is definitely the best time in my opinion!

[@peterjackhandy]

Handy video, that! I'm an old geezer - been taking photos most of my life, but Always ready to learn something or be reminded of something I've forgotten. The thing I stress to anyone new to the game is to Always have your camera in hand, or immediately accessible once you're in 'shooting country': It's of no use in your backpack, or even clipped to your shoulder strap if there's the slightest chance of a shot popping up; get it on a shoulder sling if it's hefty. The other philosophy I follow is; have your wildlife (long) lens fitted & settings set for a fast-action shot - If a nice landscape catches your eye it's not going to get up & push off while you change lens & settings, but tell that tko the deer bolting across the fire-trail you're walking down.

[@SkylarkFields]

Excellent collection of hints and tips - all very useful. Now I just need to get motivated - lost my mojo a bit recently for various reasons. But that little water vole has w(h)etted my appetite to try and get out there with my camera, come rain or shine!! Thanks for this great video!

[@peterjackhandy]

I know that feeling - Happens to most of us betimes. Sometimes a fresh approach, or change of genre sorts it out.

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

It happens to all of us. Don't try and force it. It can happen to me.. sometimes I just need a reminder of how beautiful everything is. and just just to appreciate it all.

[@SkylarkFields]

@@peterjackhandy Thank you for your comment! Yes, been considering a bit of a change from wildlife,to household pets, indoors or out, seeing as the wildlife has gone into hiding! 😊

[@SkylarkFields]

@@PaulMiguelPhotography You're right, maybe just need to look and appreciate nature, and then one day I'll want to start photographing it again. For now, I'm considering learning to photograph my pets - but may need to treat myself to a new lens. I'm sure that will perk me up! Lol!!

[@MichaelTwell]

Once again, an informative and entertaining video. Cheers Paul 👍

[@andrewmurphy8154]

The BlackRapid sling is great for studio photography, or somewhere where you're not moving around that much. But, it's a pain (quite literally) in the hip, bouncing around against your side on longer hikes. I much prefer to hike in with my camera in bag until I've found a good location to shoot, or just carry my camera and lens in hand if I'm hoping to catch a shot opportunistically along the way.

[@a3hindawi]

Thanks!

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

thank you!

[@CamillaI]

Great tips Paul you can't beat your local nature reserve to start photographing wildlife 👍

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Absolutely.

[@dangernba]

Great video, thanks for the tips.

[@julioamaral4391]

Great, Paul, We have many reserves here in the South tip of Brazil!

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Excellent!

[@bhekking]

Great topic! I live near several wildlife preserves near Boston, and your tips are spot on!

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Thank you!

[@jodyc1597]

Another excellent video! There are a number of national and state run nature reserves with in an hours drive of my house here in NW Louisiana USA. We are just getting into the winter duck and shore bird migration so there will be opportunities for both setting up a little portable hide and for opportunistic shots. Can't wait to try out your tips

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

That's great if you can set up a hide. In the UK that is mostly impossible, or it just causes too many problems! We don't have a lot space really, so places can become quite busy.

[@paulinefollett3099]

I have learnt that if you visit a reserve and there is not much activity, it pays to revisit at different times of the year. There is often variable numbers of wildlife depending on the season.

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Definitely Pauline. And some places only really work well for photography at certain times of the year.

[@darylpeters4398]

One of my pet frustrations at reserves is tick list birders. I regularly find while moving slowly/quietly around reserves I am passed at speed by chatting birders who are literally legging it between hides/viewpoints to tick off the next species, disturbing everything else as they go. I've also noticed a massive increase in groups of high viz clad recreational runners using reserves as training grounds, again disturbing the wildlife.

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Interesting. I haven't experienced that much myself. Yes, it can be frustrating when others are not being so quiet..

[@Domekonbirdtour]

5:00 min kingfisher call

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

I couldn't hear it.

[@Kunoswildworld]

I found thi lens, Ef 400 f5.6 L in secondhand market and bought it came with leans coat and almost new arcaswiss plate and lens is in pristine condition... I just paid $500. It's absolutely amazing.... I am speechless..

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Glad you like it. It's a great lens.

[@nigelbramley4188]

Asides from the photography tips, every bird photographer wants a Great Tit feeding out of their hands. Bloomin lovely.

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

That was years ago. It's happened a few times.. but never as good as that. Might be a common bird but it always fills me with joy

[@T.M.G2014]

Do you use spot metering most of the time

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Hi. I never use spot metering, just evaluative nowadays.

[@messylaura]

what you should say reguarding wildlife and crop sensor bodies is they put more pixels on the target rather than they give more reach

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

That's why I never mention it! Never can get my head round it to be honest..

[@Rooster0529]

It seems most of my planned excursions turn into opportunistic sessions at some point 😉

[@ChrisHunt4497]

I have never done any good at a bird hide. The views always seem to be overgrown and you can usually see more from outside the hide than in, which defeats the object.

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Yes, can be the case.

[@royparkes6182]

I agree, total idiots, completely spoiling the art of catching natural images of the wildlife. Personally i would much rather just use camo consealment moving very slowly, watching where you tread not to disturb the wildlife afterall isn’t the idea to photograph wildlife acting naturally and being unaware of our presence……. far far more rewarding in my view