Wildlife Photography

[nzhuntinginfo]

In the early 1900s Himalayan tahr were introduced to New Zealand via an English game park.
When hunting or photographing Himalayan tahr, a good strategy is to get above them because they tend to look downhill. I climbed a couple of hours starting before dark to get above these animals. The older nanny on the left hand side is the main lookout. A cool down draught of air could have easily spoiled my hard work.

[prashantsingh]

Nice snap.
Early 1900's . When I went to Argentina I was told the same thing. A spanish gentleman took Blackbuck and Axis from India around the same time. These animals adapted well to the Pampas and have thrived there ever since.
Do you also have Sambhar and Axis in N.Z.? They have them in Australia for sure.
What rifle (Cal.) do you use for hunting Tahr?

[Vikram]

Nzhuntinginfo,

That's another cool photo and an interesting insight into their behaviour.Got anymore to share?Thanks.


Best-
Vikram

[nzhuntinginfo]

To answer a couple of questions.
We have sambar in New Zealand in two discrete herds. They are the Sri Lankan sub-species (Cervus unicolor unicolor) and the trophies rate well. They are difficult to hunt because they live in tight cover and tend to be nocturnal either because that is their natural habit or because of the heavy hunting pressure.
Axis deer were introduced in the South Island in the late 1800s and survived ok but they were shot out by the locals and there are none left.

I use a .308 or similar .300 calibre on Himalyan tahr. The bulls at this time of the year have a heavy mane over a solid chest so light calibres aren't reliable. The bull shown here was photographed two weeks ago. It is the dominant bull in this group and has the biggest body bulk.

[attachment=0]CoalCount harem thb 040.jpg

[prashantsingh]

What a fantastic trophy bull .

Interesting to know that the Sambhar there are nocturnal.I am sure it must be due to heavy hunting pressure.
I say so because in India you can see them through the day and also at night. Infact in jungles where the Tiger has gone extinct their populations are on the rise. Not easy for Leopards to bring down these large deer.
Please post more snaps whenever you get the time.

[nzhuntinginfo]

New Zealand is an isolated island with a unique flora and fauna. Until the arrival of man it was devoid of mammalian predators. So the Government Department (Dept of Conservation) runs programs to control some of the introduced wild animals such as wild goats which can multiply in number if unchecked. This picture shows a Judas goat with a tracking collar that my nephew shot in very rough country while we were hunting on the West Coast of the South Island.
The Judas Goat is tracked with a helicopter mounted antennae and when the goat is located its companions are shot from the helicopter.

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[dr.jayakumar]

Hello Friends,
Begining a new chapter in my life, had to wait a long time to get the correct equipment. On the advice of my friends (pros), I have gone in for the D 5000 DSLR with 18-55mm and 70-300mm AF lens. I welcome all IFGians, amateurs and professionals to contribute their wildlife photographs (however humble) and to advise on increasing our wildlife photography skills.
I am particularly indebted to 'Shooter' for motivating me to take up WLP, in order to 'SEE rather than just look'. Hence all WLPs should bear details of species and scientific names. This way we will all learn and get to know our feathered, spotted, striped etc friends better.
Best Regards to all.

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hi hvji,
as like you i just bought a nikon d5100 with 18-55 and 70-300afl\ lens.i had used pentax in late 80's and disowned it .after a long gap i have bought this camera.i am a member of wwf and i visit wild life santuaries very often.
hvji d5000 and d5100 has very little difference i beleive.i think i''ll learn from you as you keep posting.
happy shooting friend.
regards
dr.jk

[hvj1]

Hello NZhuntinginfo,
Your photographs of NZ and its flora and fauna are extremely beautiful and welcome. I started this thread with the express intention of switching from hunting to shooting with a camera and with the hope that others too appreciate the idea of shooting with a camera.
I simply abhor hunting in any form, you are most welcome to discuss your hunting and hunting photographs on a seperate thread. I sincerely hope that you continue posting photos of live creatures and request you to kindly post dead animals on a seperate thread.
Looking forward to your kind understanding and co-operation.
Best Regards

[hvj1]

Thanks Dr Jaykumar,
i hope you have fun and keep pressing the shutter to capture the very best, which unfortunately may not always be the case, but it will always be a new learning experience.
Best Regards

[dr.jayakumar]

thanks to you too,hvji.
dr.jk

[nzhuntinginfo]

Sorry about submitting the dead animal...that was careless.

So I'll contribute this little New Zealand bird, the tomtit...its species name is "macrocephala) meaning big head.

The picture is of a male and he is more colourful than the female who is rather drab.

Macrocephala keeps me company when I'm hunting in the New Zealand forests.

tomtit_thb 0828.JPG

[winnie_the_pooh]

nzhuntinginfo,

While hvj1 is entitled to his personal likes and dislikes,he does not speak for anybody but himself.I feel that for some to act as a censor based on his personal likes and dislikes, on an open forum, is a bit pompous. He does not 'own' this thread.So by all means post whatever you wish to.

hvj1 has the option of not looking at these photographs.

[prashantsingh]

I'll contribute this little New Zealand bird, the tomtit...its species name is "macrocephala) meaning big head.

The picture is of a male and he is more colourful than the female who is rather drab.

tomtit_thb 0828.JPG

A couple of snaps of a bird in my garden which looks somewhat similar to your Tomtit.
I took the female's snap in the afternoon but the male came home late at dusk. That's why the male's snap is a little blurred (poor light).

[nzhuntinginfo]

That male looks remarkably similar to the New Zealand tomtit (Petroica macrocephala)...I wonder what it's classification is?

I was on the West Coast of the South Island yesterday. It's supposed to be spring in New Zealand but a heavy fall of snow made for hard work.

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[xl_target]

Heavy Wet spring snow. What a pain!
You have some beautiful country there in NZ.
Please continue posting those beautiful photographs. It is a rare treat for us to get a glimpse of outdoor conditions on another continent.