Photograph wish list

[goosey]

Earlier this year I was asked which three animals I would like to be able to photograph in the wild over the summer. I said at the time:-
A Dragonfly -not wildly exciting I know, but last year I just couldn't manage a photo of any.
An Adder -Because I had never seen one in the wild, let alone photographed one.
Osprey Because they fascinate me and I had followed the Cumbrian Osprey story in 2006 and wanted a chance to see them in 2007.

I was pleased to get plenty of dragonfly photo's , I learned to use my camera properly
I was lucky to get my adder photos at Haweswater in the Lake District when we saw a pair.
I did see the Ospreys from the observation platform at Dodd Wood, and had a magnificent view of the male diving into Bassenthwaite and emerging with a fish to take back to the nest. Sadly though no photo's. My zoom wasn't capable of that distance.

So my three for this coming year is:-
An Osprey (try again)
A kingfisher (never seen one)
Seals ( I saw them this summer in the sea at the South walney nature reserve and got photos but their heads looked like little black blobs in the sea)

So what animals would you like to be able to photograph in the next year. Good luck .

[stirling]

Dont do photography goosey,but would like to see osprey and seals.
Only had a glance of kingfisher as it flew by,unmistakable colours.
Best from mike.

[Guy F]

Smooth Snake is probably top of my things to photograph. There are loads of insects that I was hoping to trap down and photograph this summer, but I've missed loads of them (the summers just too short ).
I was looking out for rare heathland and chalk grassland insects, but I didn't manage to find many of my targets, so next year (or within the next month for some insects) I'm looking for Large Marsh Grasshopper (I found one of these but it was too quick for me!), Heath Bee-fly, Adonis Blues and Silver-spotted Skippers and loads of Dragonflies!
Guy

[Suzanne B]

I think the top of my list would be a badger.
I've never seen one in real life and wouldn't know where to find them so this would be quite an elusive thing for me to find.
After reading other threads on photographing them it sounds like it takes a lot of patience and luck to even see one, so I think it would be a major achievement if I were ever able to photograph one of these in the future.

[wild worlds]

Brilliant question this!!!!
Top of the list for me would have to be a polar bear! But not likely as I won’t be in the Arctic! Second would be a penguin colony in the Antarctic with lots of snow and blizzards. Again not likely as that is out of the question. Third, a tiger. Again, that’s not going to happen. So realistically.

In Africa
The desert elephants in Namibia. (good possibility)
A honey badger in daylight. (your guess is as good as mine)
A big rock python. (maybe)

In the UK
An adder. Never seen one would not know where to look.
A great crested newt.
Fox cubs.
I think I probably feel the same as most others on the forum, that I am privileged to be able to see any creature large, small, common or rare in its natural habitat and that all creatures, even hyenas, are beautiful in their own way. WW

[frostfire]

Difficult question really. There are so many things I still want to at least see if not get a picture of! I'd love to get pictures of whales, dolphins and a koala, but no chance of that this year!
I think that top on my achievable list are:

1. a deer, as I think their expressions are lovely and would love to capture their presence.

2. a kingfisher, because of their stunning coulors.

3. a sandlizard, as I know they are in the area but hardly show themselves, so it would be a real achievement.

[black]

There's always masses of stuff on my wish list. Hopefully I'm off to South India in March so it'll be

1. Asian Elephant
2. Gaur
3. Giant Squirrel

In the UK I'm after
1. Adder - I saw one about 15yrs ago but wasn't into photography then so no pics. Visiting a site in Cumbria in May where a friend took some excellent shots last year.
2. Dragonflies - after seeing some amazing varieties in Madagascar I'm determined to get the lens onto some UK ones. There's a few local sites so I might get lucky.
3. Beavers - the ones at Martin Mere WWT are proving rather elusive to me. OK they're not strictly wild but I would love a few shots of these.

[Guy F]

Originally Posted by frostfire

3. a sandlizard, as I know they are in the area but hardly show themselves, so it would be a real achievement.

I managed to have some luck photographing Sand Lizards in England last year but hopefully I'll get some more shots this year. They're such beautiful little reptiles.
Guy

[balkantrek]

The animals I would most like to photograph in the wild would have to be:

1. Brown Bear (Ursus arctos)
2. Leopard Snake (Zamenis situla)
3. Masked Shrike (Lanius nubicus)

However, I am aware that my chances of success with these during 2008 are likely to be somewhat slim, so I would content myself with some good shots of:

1. Wild Boar (Sus scrofa)
2. Wallcreeper (Tichodroma muraria)
3. Balkan Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica)

[frostfire]

Originally Posted by frostfire

1. a deer, as I think their expressions are lovely and would love to capture their presence.

Yesterday evening I accidently came across this deer on my when I was riding through the woods/dunes. I went round a corner and she was there right on the middle of the bike lane. The photo's aren't fantastic but at least I got some! It was amazing I even had my camara with me as I was only riding through to get to the next town.

[mtngoat]

I liked the first! That's a very beautiful deer. I'm so used to only seeing mule and white tailers . During the winter, I went to a wildlife refuge, and was able to get some fairly good shots of two does and a yearling. I'll see if I can put them up.
I've always wanted to have a shot at shooting wolves (pardon the pun ), especially closeups, coyotes, cougars, and a few other smaller wildcat relatives. But, the only place to get those shots here are in the zoos... and those thangs cost money .

[Guy F]

Originally Posted by Guy F

Smooth Snake is probably top of my things to photograph. There are loads of insects that I was hoping to trap down and photograph this summer, but I've missed loads of them (the summers just too short ).

I'm very pleased to say that I managed to get some shots of a Smooth Snake a few days ago, now I've got to track down all those insects! I will get the snake shots in the gallery soon,
Guy

[Feline]

I would like to capture birds 'in flight'. After having browsed several photography and wildlife sites, I have seen some truely amazing photographic captures of birds in flight, or even just spreading their wings...just beautiful. Especially swans...they look soooo majestic.

So here is my list:
1. Birds 'in flight'
2. Insects close-up
3. Night vision
4. A stunning sunrise/sundown over the sea

I don't know how well my camera would perform as far as night vision is concerned...I havn't really tried it yet, but I intend to find out.

[ericrovve]

Apart from skill, which I'm sure you'll develop, your achieving your ambitions will depend on your equipment - as I've found (it's still stinging) Cameras taking good photos have one thing in common: they cost the earth. What do you have?
Eric

[Feline]

Originally Posted by ericrovve

Apart from skill, which I'm sure you'll develop, your achieving your ambitions will depend on your equipment - as I've found (it's still stinging) Cameras taking good photos have one thing in common: they cost the earth. What do you have?
Eric

I have a Kodak Z710. It's a great little camera..the only thing I don't like about it is, that it takes a little while for it to to re-set after every shot. I have missed quite a few opportunities because i couldn't take pictures quick enough...shame. Apart from that, it's a fantastic little camera for a beginner...

[goosey]

Originally Posted by Feline

I have a Kodak Z710. It's a great little camera..the only thing I don't like about it is, that it takes a little while for it to to re-set after every shot. I have missed quite a few opportunities because i couldn't take pictures quick enough...shame. Apart from that, it's a fantastic little camera for a beginner...

Originally Posted by Feline

I don't know how well my camera would perform as far as night vision is concerned...I havn't really tried it yet, but I intend to find out.

Hi Feline, I have that problem with my point and shoot type camera - especially if I have it on night mode, it really slows down and is so frustrating.
I tend to stick to auto on most things but I do love my night mode - you say you want to do some night vision shots - go in to the garden with a torch and look for something you'd like to photograph and try it out. I like moths - but they don't stay still and having hands full with camera and torch is a hinderence but its great when you see the photo's. The colours against the black of night comes up so well. Also flowers look lovely against the dark. Give it ago, I am sure you will be pleased with your results.

[ericrovve]

*that it takes a little while for it to to re-set after every shot.*
Can also be a delay between pressing the button and it taking the pic.
Must say you are both doing pretty well with what you have - close-up in particular.

[goosey]

Well as another year has come and gone I thought I would revive this thread and let you know how I got on in 2008 and what i would like to photograph in 2009.

Originally Posted by goosey

So my three for this coming year (2008) is:-
An Osprey (try again)
A kingfisher (never seen one)
Seals ( I saw them this summer in the sea at the South walney nature reserve and got photos but their heads looked like little black blobs in the sea)

I was fortunate to see and photograph all three of the above with my trusty ol' camera.

The Osprey's changed nest site this year, which caused the Osprey watch organisation at Bassenthwaite (UK) a few headaches, but the new viewing platform and position of the nest meant I had excellent views and was even able to manage images with a 6x zoom.

I have seen a Kingfisher several times (here in Holland), I was so shocked the first time I could hardly move and it was gone in an electric blue flash. The second time I was able to watch it through binoculars (they are much smaller than I ever imagined) and even manged a blurred photo. I saw it in a public park - not at all where I ever expected to see one and people were letting the dogs into the water, very surprised to see it in such a busy place. I have never seen it again on return visits.

I saw the seals again at Walney nature reserve, not so many this year but my pictures of them swimming close to shore I was pretty pleased with considering, far superior to 2007's attempts. All hopes they would come ashore were in vain though.


So my hopes for 2009.

Has to be better pictures of all of the above

1. Elephant Hawk-moth - Deilephila elpenor (never seen one)

2. Common Emerald moth - Hemithea aestivaria (never seen one)

3. Buzzard - Buteo buteo
There are two in our National Park, I see them quite often and have a few shots of them in flight, but often more of a silhouette than a decent picture.
I know where one is to be found often on the ground but either I am so noisy tramping over the fallen leaves I scare him off, or the shade of the trees means its just too dark to hide out to take a picture which isn't too grainy - so I'd love to get a decent photo.

4. As many new moths to the garden as possible and a piccie of everyone!

[Pudding4brains]

Hi Goosey,

The Kingfisher I've seen often where I used to live for a while in Breukelen near the Loosdrechtse plassen - before my nature photography days though ... but as you've noticed yourself they do exist in NL and even in touristy areas

The Buzzard really shouldn't be a problem - I don't 'do' Birds but I always see a few when I putter around in the countryside here (come visit!)

As for the Moths: Groot Avondrood - Deilephila elpenor and Kleine Zomervlinder - Hemithea aestivaria theoretically seem to be realistic possibilities too (though, like you, I've never knowingly seen either of them) - so good luck with that!

My wish list would probably be much less likely to fulfill - but that's no reason for not trying After all, this year I _did_ get a few very rare animals too :

• The Woodlouse Porcellio laevis (probably need to go to France for that, though supposedly it's a 'native' species in NL
• The Scorpionfly Aulops/Panorpa alpina - very litlle chance of that in NL (although recorded); best try in Belgium in the right time of the year
• The Harvestman Opilio parietinus - most probably extinct in NL now, but it was one of the most abundant ones only 10-20 years ago. Might still find one in Germany maybe, or in France ???

Cheers, Arp

[goosey]

Originally Posted by goosey

Well as another year has come and gone I thought I would revive this thread and let you know how I got on in 2008 and what i would like to photograph in 2009.

So my hopes for 2009.

Has to be better pictures of all of the above

1. Elephant Hawk-moth - Deilephila elpenor (never seen one)

2. Common Emerald moth - Hemithea aestivaria (never seen one)

3. Buzzard - Buteo buteo

4. As many new moths to the garden as possible and a piccie of everyone!

Well I have nearly managed number 1. on my list

I was so happy last night when I saw a Small Elephant Hawk-moth - Deilephila porcellus yesterday at dusk feeding on the honeysuckle.
The pictures aren't great but they are my pictures of my moth and better still - in my garden .

[Jacqueline Burrell]

Top of my list more be Herpestes ichneumon Egyptian Mongoose. I've see one of two occasions on the bank of the Nile but so far I have only managed to photograph the last centimetre of its tail missing at leasr a metre of the animal!

Next would be Pelecanus rufescens Pink-backed Pelican that are found in significant numbers on Lake in the summer when it hotter than hell.

Finally, the endemic and extremely rare Felis margarita Sand Cat

Its about the size of a domestic cat but with a much broader head. A mat of long hairs grow between the pads of its paws to allow it to tolerate and easily maneuver the hot sand of its environment. It is listed as Near Threatened in the IUCN Red List and lives in the most inhospitable areas imaginable - so this one's a pipe dream - not that I smoke a pipe!

[paul m]

They're all fascinating, especially the cat - I had forgotten about that. Why is it rare? Loss of prey/habitat; predation by feral/domestic cats? So very sad if it became extinct .... the animal of Egypt (as well as dung beetles, of course).

Originally Posted by Jacqueline Burrell

Top of my list more be Herpestes ichneumon Egyptian Mongoose. I've see one of two occasions on the bank of the Nile but so far I have only managed to photograph the last centimetre of its tail missing at leasr a metre of the animal!

Next would be Pelecanus rufescens Pink-backed Pelican that are found in significant numbers on Lake in the summer when it hotter than hell.

Finally, the endemic and extremely rare Felis margarita Sand Cat

Its about the size of a domestic cat but with a much broader head. A mat of long hairs grow between the pads of its paws to allow it to tolerate and easily maneuver the hot sand of its environment. It is listed as Near Threatened in the IUCN Red List and lives in the most inhospitable areas imaginable - so this one's a pipe dream - not that I smoke a pipe!

[Jacqueline Burrell]

Originally Posted by paul m

They're all fascinating, especially the cat - I had forgotten about that. Why is it rare? Loss of prey/habitat; predation by feral/domestic cats? So very sad if it became extinct .... the animal of Egypt (as well as dung beetles, of course).

I think there are a number of reasons. Habitat lost is certainly not one in Egypt as 96 percent of the country is covered by the Sahara desert but as the cat lives on small herbivorous mammals drought can be a severe threat, Localised problems include the introduction of feral and domestic dogs and cats, creating direct competition and through predation and the transmission of disease.

I have also read comments that suggest their numbers are underestimated because there habitat is so difficult to explore and the temperatures range from -5 °C to 52 °C.

In 2007, the first four kittens born in captivity were raised at the Al Ain Zoo in the United Arab Emirates so an effort is being made to preserve them.

[goosey]

Originally Posted by goosey

So my hopes for 2009.
2. Common Emerald moth - Hemithea aestivaria (never seen one)

Here is number 2 off my wish list for 2009 .

[Pudding4brains]

Hi Goosey,

Congrats on the Emerald! It doesn't look like much, but if it makes you happy

I probably shouldn't have stepped on the "looks" track just now but anyway, you bumping the thread up made me realize I had indeed one on my wishlist fulfilled too!

Originally Posted by Pudding4brains

My wish list would probably be much less likely to fulfill - but that's no reason for not trying After all, this year I _did_ get a few very rare animals too :

• The Woodlouse Porcellio laevis (probably need to go to France for that, though supposedly it's a 'native' species in NL)

And I didn't even have a chance of traveling to France!

First I found the species while doing an inventory of the (exotic) woodlice found in the greenhouses of Burgers' Zoo in Arnhem (Netherlands) that feature an artificial 'Bush' and a 'Desert'. The Desert held actually quite a few of them so I got a good impression of the rather large species, which helps in future photo IDing I suppose.

But of course that felt a little bit like cheating (Zoo, artificial environments etc.) even if they are by no means part of the official exhibit of the zoo

Well, it got even better A few months later I found a small population living in the ruins of an old farmhouse on the banks of the river Maas near Neer, Limburg (Netherlands). Supposedly an exceptional find as researchers had assumed the animal to be extinct 'in the wild' and only to still occur on locations like the first (greenhouses etc).

So ... may I present to you ... Porcellio laevis


Arp