First off, the really big name professional wildlife photographers only spend a fraction of their time out in natures world. It's a business and the running of that business takes up a whole lot more time than getting the images. The competition is fierce, and most of these people supplement their income by writing articles, books, and giving workshops etc.. Also you have stock agencies with huge reservoirs of stock photos, plus all the part timer's competing with their 1 or 2 super images a year. This is a quote from a Texas State web site I visited a while back..."Nature photography is becoming one of the most popular forms of outdoor recreation. According to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Report, Nationally, nature photographers outnumber golfers." Another thing to think about is that it is not always talent or even knowledge of wildlife and its habitat. I have known many amateur wildlife photographers whose throw away images were better than the average pro image and better than my keepers.{VBG} They made their living in other fields and did the photography as a hobby.  Due to the limited time, many pro's do a lot of shooting on game farms, trained animals and any other short cut possible. They have to! Paying the bills and supporting a family require a certain amount of income.

Are you getting the picture? If you want to make photography a profession and not starve to death, get into portrait, or photo journalism, or commercial or any of the fields that pay decent money. With today's automatic camera's, all fields of photography are highly competitive, but it can be done.

Now, if you want to do wildlife photography as a hobby just because you enjoy the outdoors and the "real challenge" of getting a good image of true wildlife...where do you start? Assuming you already know the basics of photography, I am going to give you a few simple practical tips on how to practice and get ready for the real thing. Besides the need to gain knowledge of birds, animals, their habits, and where to find them, you will need to practice, practice and practice. Otherwise you might blow that really great shot when it comes along.        -- Greyhawk