_2026 September Theme: Wildlife
Janina Krach | Published on 9/1/2026
Wildlife photography documents animals like mammals, birds, reptiles and insects in their natural habitats. Photographing wildlife requires patience, the use of fast shutter speeds, telephoto lenses (300mm+), and wide apertures for background blur.
Tips for Finding and Capturing Wildlife
- The best locations on Long Island are coastal & wetland areas such as salt marshes and mudflats at low tide, where you can find egrets, herons, ospreys & terns.
- Go to well-known hotspots sucha as Robert Moses, Sunken Meadow State Park, or Jamaica Bay Wildlife Preserve. Woodlands & nature preserves are good for deer, foxes, owls & songbirds.
- Find rabbits & foxes in fields & meadows.
- Have patience. Understand and anticipate animal behavior. Move slowly, avoid sudden gestures, and pause often. Sometimes the best strategy is to just stop and let animals come to you.
Suggested links:
The 18 Most Famous Wildlife Photographers You Need to Know
Beginners Guide To Wildlife Photography
National Geographic: 50 Greatest Wildlife Photographs