Folks with a genuine interest in wildlife management are typically very interested in the individual wildlife species, too. Over time, I’ve discovered that many landowners are interested in photographing wildlife. When it comes to wildlife photos, it’s not necessarily desirable to always get full-frame head shots of wildlife – you can always take head shots in a zoo. Including the environment along with an animal gives a sense of place, and if the location happens to be spectacular then it becomes an integral part of the composition. Still, the subject should be significant enough in the frame to make a statement.
Bird photography is one of the most challenging types of nature photography, but it can be very rewarding once you learn how to be effective. Wild birds are often difficult to approach and they never stay in one place for long. Due to the small size and fast-paced behavior of songbirds, large telephoto lenses are often required, and expensive, fast-focusing camera bodies are usually needed. Fortunately, this is not always the case. Your own backyard can serve as a personal studio in which you can be in control of your subjects and obtain beautiful photos. This is one of the very few situations where eye-catching, close-up bird photography is possible without extravagant photo equipment. The following is a how-to guide to photographing birds in your backyard and these tips will help you achieve bird photos that you have always wanted to get, but never knew how.
In many cases, a vehicle can gain a closer approach to a wild animal than a person can on foot. For example, most wildlife in national parks have grown accustomed to vehicles, and they know there’s no threat. Shooting from a vehicle can be done using a stable platform that attaches firmly to the driver’s door when the window is rolled down. (These door mounts are available through various sources.) You can also use a burlap or fabric pouch filled with uncooked rice, beans or coarse sand. This actually is my preferred choice for shooting from a vehicle. I travel with it empty, but when I arrive at the shooting destination I’ll fill it.
The amount of land managed for wildlife in Texas has exploded in the past 25 years. For many farms and ranches in Texas, it’s a wildlife operation that allows the family to remain in agriculture. Prior to 1995, wildlife management was not considered an agricultural use of property. However, in 1995, Texas voters approved Proposition 11, allowing land with specific management practices for wildlife to be considered agricultural use. This amendment is outlined in the Texas Constitution, Section 1-d-1 or open space agricultural appraisal, Article VIII. The requirements for the 1-d-1 or open space agricultural appraisal can be found in the Texas Tax Code, Chapter 23, Subchapter D.