[M35]

Note: Click on the image to view the uncompressed version.

Wildlife photography means capturing animals in their natural habitats. Capturing those special moments in the ‘wild’ !.
I do would hope to see myself, in the future,going on trips to Rain forests or Grass lands far away from man, in the real ‘wild’, shooting away various forms of wildlife in their natural habitats.

500mm f5.6 1/2000s ISO 200 0.0 EV

Now that I am totally confined to a concrete jungle in a city called Chongqing in China, I hardly get to explore the ‘wildlife’ or ‘Nature’ that are completely untouched my human. Also that, the itch in me to see my favourite subjects through my Lens getting more serious off late, I am left with exploring the backyard, the gardens, those small little lakes and green parks in my city, hence terming it ‘Urban wildlife’. Urban wildlife is that can live or thrive in urban environments.

[M35]

I have had a couple of hours of photo-walk through the city in the last couple of weekends, all in search of some wildlife action in the urban setting. I have a few captures that I thought worth sharing here, hence this thread.

500mm f5.6 ISO 250 1/800s 0.0 EV

It was during the last weekend, I visited this abandoned lake in the outskirts of the city of Chongqing in China. I have observed most of the water bodies in this part of the world affected by eutrophication facing an early death.

500mm f5.6 ISO 360 1/800s 0.0 EV

It was a surprising moment to spot these beauties emerging out of the waters through the green cover. These are Little Grebe, if I am not wrong.

500mm f5.6 ISO 320 1/800s 0.0 EV

There were three of them. I spent around an hour watching them swimming around, feeding, diving and then emerging elsewhere. Though the weather wasn’t great, it was fun capturing these little water birds in action.

500mm f5.6 ISO 250 1/800s 0.0 EV

The face-off !

500mm f5.6 ISO 250 1/800s 0.0 EV

[M35]

The other day I found these Eurasian Coots in a similar action. There were two actually, looked a bit aggressive at times. A couple of shots taken in some good evening light, hence nice colours.

500mm f/5.6 1/1600 ISO 2500 0.0 EV

Earlier I had found them feeding these little babies. Note the nest and you could see some plastic in there.

600mm f/8 1/125 ISO 160 0.0 EV

[M35]

I was happy to see the Sun coming out of the cloud cover for a while, that afternoon. All of a sudden, I could spot this Pelican landing for a quick shower. I immediately leaned down on to the ground and captured this beautiful moment.

500mm f/5.6 1/2000s ISO 450 0.0 EV

I was lucky that I positioned myself such that my subject was backlit. I normally shoot in the Aperture priority mode wide open. Since I had set shutter priority mode at 1/2000s, I could easily switch and capture some beautiful action moments. I could have tried a faster shutter speed, but by then all the action was over.

460mm f/5.6 1/2000s ISO 560 0.0 EV

[M35]

Quite a while back, I was watching these Cranes quietly in a hide for some time, from a distance. Suddenly they started to cry very loudly and that continued for about 10 seconds or so before getting back to normal. Seemed to have heard a fellow-being calling from a distance. Looked like some sort of response or warning to an incoming threat.

500mm f/5.6 1/400s ISO 3200 0.0 EV

This looks like a species of ‘Robin’ to me. Please correct me if I am wrong. This beautiful small bird was found making some serious calling just outside my apartment the other weekend.

700mm f/8 1/4500s ISO 2000 0.0 EV

[M35]

500mm f/5.6 1/2000s ISO 2200 -0.3 EV

This black Swan was captured from a scenic park in the city. There were a couple of these and many species of ducks swimming around in a non-captive environment inside the park.

480mm f/5.6 1/1250s ISO 720 0.0 EV

I had visited the place earlier and found way too many birds, but did not find many this time around. Looks like some winter migration.

450mm f/5.6 1/1600s ISO 800 0.0 EV

This is what I do when I get time during weekends. If any of these photos touches you positively or pleases you at least, the intend behind this post of mine is justified.

Thanks
Manoj

[GTO]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[shashanka]

Originally Posted by M35

This is what I do when I get time during weekends. If any of these photos touches you positively or pleases you at least, the intend behind this post of mine is justified.
Thanks
Manoj

Thank you Manoj, for some truly spectacular photos. And rest assured that they have touched that spot inside that is reserved for such magical moments! I have been to China several times in the past (albeit calling only port cities while on board car carriers) but never got to see this extraordinary side of
their urban environment.

Your photos bring home the truth in the old adage - beauty lies in the eye of the beholder!

[M35]

Originally Posted by shashanka

I have been to China several times in the past (albeit calling only port cities while on board car carriers) but never got to see this extraordinary side of their urban environment.

Your photos bring home the truth in the old adage - beauty lies in the eye of the beholder!

Thanks shashanka for those kind words. Yes, it is not easy out here to find my favourite subjects. You can only see one thing here – constructions which seem a never-ending process. Though there are numerous parks around, everything is artificial. Most of the time, I return empty handed with no single capture/keeper, even after having spent long hours in search of my favourite targets .

[nilanjanray]

Some lovely shots here, I have seen a few in other paces.

You should do a few birding trips. Bharatpur, Pangot, Arunachal etc.

[M35]

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

You should do a few birding trips. Bharatpur, Pangot, Arunachal etc.

Let me see, this time around.


Some more action shots from a nearby wildlife park !

[swiftnfurious]

Such a short photologue with such stunning pics is the most cruel thing you can do to fellow bhp'ians!

The first 3 pics alone are enough for a 5* rating. Great pics once again!

[M35]

Originally Posted by swiftnfurious

Such a short photologue with such stunning pics is the most cruel thing you can do to fellow bhp'ians!
The first 3 pics alone are enough for a 5* rating. Great pics once again!

Glad you liked the pictures, @swiftnfurious !

More action !

[Rajain]

Outstanding Pictures.

Allow me to add to the discussion and share a few of mine -

These pictures are taken with Nikon D 5300 and routine 70-300 lens.









Cheers

Rajain

[M35]

Originally Posted by Rajain

Allow me to add to the discussion and share a few of mine -
These pictures are taken with Nikon D 5300 and routine 70-300 lens.
Cheers Rajain

Nice shots there.
They would even be better if nice and low and shot at your eye level.
Cheers