Wildlife photog's... how often do you go out and shoot?

[Stephen Berger]

This morning as I was wandering with my camera in the local park I became aware of that fact that I go out reasonably often, probably on average 8 or so mornings a month, to shoot locally but there are only a couple a few times a year I get to go to truly target rich environments. All the local shooting does net some gems (to me) and I love being out and starting my day in nature feeling present and aware and consider it all good and essential practice for when the best opportunities arise but do often wish I lived where the action is (I live in SoCal). Anyway thinking about all that made me wonder how often you shoot and do you shoot specifically as practice to stay sharp?

 

[Deleted member 115]

This morning as I was wandering with my camera in the local park I became aware of that fact that I go out reasonably often, probably on average 8 or so mornings a month, to shoot locally but there are only a couple a few times a year I get to go to truly target rich environments. All the local shooting does net some gems (to me) and I love being out and starting my day in nature feeling present and aware and consider it all good and essential practice for when the best opportunities arise but do often wish I lived where the action is (I live in SoCal). Anyway thinking about all that made me wonder how often you shoot and do you shoot specifically as practice to stay sharp?

I normally go out just about every day hiking with camera but lately the heat and long work days I have been zapped for energy and staying inside more. Plus, our doggy we have now is not cooperative for wildlife photography so I have to split time with him and camera. Most of my photos are from near our place which is in the middle of several wildlife areas, both state and federal owned public lands.

I would like to hike 5-10 miles per day carrying camera.

 

[DRwyoming]

I go through phases, sometimes getting out every day and then other times focusing on other aspects of life but if I don't get out with my camera gear I still usually take some shots in the yard or around the neighborhood a couple of times per week. Like @Hut I also like to hike and sometimes get out to hike or climb a local peak and usually have some camera gear in my pack but don't always end up using it.

The spring and fall are usually the times of year I'm out shooting every day or at least several times per week and that's also when I'm mostly likely to travel to local or distant wildlife locations. During the heat of summer or the dead of winter I'm often up to other things though many of them involve carrying a camera and a lens or two.

 

[DavidT]

Like others it depends on the time of year. I live in TX and the summers are not only hot but a lot of subjects are not here. In the summer I tend to shoot more static subjects such as Astro or cityscapes. Starting late September when things are more hoping I’ll shoot wildlife weekly all the way until late April. Depending on other types of subjects I may shoot during the week as well but a lot of wildlife is Saturday and Sunday for me since I’ve got to pay the mortgage. Throw in a few travel days for work and I’ll often shoot before or after work. I do love going to Florida in the winter .

 

[Anjin San]

This morning as I was wandering with my camera in the local park I became aware of that fact that I go out reasonably often, probably on average 8 or so mornings a month, to shoot locally but there are only a couple a few times a year I get to go to truly target rich environments. All the local shooting does net some gems (to me) and I love being out and starting my day in nature feeling present and aware and consider it all good and essential practice for when the best opportunities arise but do often wish I lived where the action is (I live in SoCal). Anyway thinking about all that made me wonder how often you shoot and do you shoot specifically as practice to stay sharp?

Once or twice a week unless we take a trip and then most days on the trip although not always wildlife.