Which one is your favorite?

An Elephant and her calf, just around two month old, walking through the savannah.

📷 Nikon Z8 + Z 180-600 mm

🧭 Amboseli national reserve, Kenya

Whidbey Island, WA

Shot today in Utah

Tripod Help - Wildlife Photography?

Hi there! I am an amateur wildlife photographer (my favorite hobby) with a particular focus on birds. I currently use a Canon R6Mk2 with an RF200-800, but will eventually upgrade to an R5Mk2 with 600mm F/4, or some similar large prime lens. I have been looking at getting a nice tripod / head for a while now. I am very tall (6’5+) so ideally the tripod is tall as well.

Are there any suggestions for what I should go with? From my preliminary research it seems like the Leofoto 404CL could be good and then pair it with a gimbal head like the old wimberly? I mainly do photography but would like the flexibility to do some landscape/macro with wider lenses as well video… but those are definitely less priority for now.

Budget is below $1K ideally and open to buying used.

Thank you!

I believe they were all shot on om1 with 300mm f4.

Fall photoshoot with my local bear cubs - looks like we have a little female cub along with another little male this season. Changing it up from the two males she had last litter.

See that little dangly bit on the end of her tail? That’s her perennial tuft that helps direct urine away from her body and towards the ground behind her to stay clean and aid in scent marking.

Even caught Mumma Bear cooling off in the new water feature before getting back to her busy foraging schedule.

Whidbey Island, WA

NE Wisconsin

Catalina Island Fox seen on a hike on Santa Catalina. Very cute little endemic species on the island.

British Columbia Canada

Spotted in a small forest patch - a female Broad-handed Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa latipes) nectaring on Blue Fountain Bush (Rotheca serrata / Clerodendrum serratum).

One of the largest bees we have here in India, completely black with wings that flash blue-green-gold depending on the light.

Location: Koyna, Maharashtra

ID help: The flower is also known as Bharangi / Blue butterfly bush.

Birds are my special interest. I was a wildlife photographer for over 5 years. Sadly, photography quickly consumed my entire life. I was trapped by perfectionism and competition. Addicted to external validation. I constantly pushed myself past what was healthy. I deep down felt like an imposter. I so often lost sight of the moment. Instead of spending time with the birds I became impatient with them. I’m someone who talks to wild birds, names them. When I let go of the camera, my relationship to them transformed to something more intimate. There was less pressure to produce. To please my family.

However, I can now look back at my photos with mixed feelings - grief, gratitude, and new founded self love and internal boundaries. They are emblematic of my journey and growth as an artist and person. I have 1000s of photos that have vivid memories attached to them. I am no longer interested in picking up my camera though, I tried and it gives me tremendous anxiety and flashbacks.

I just binos or using my eyes and ears. I hardly even take photos with my phone - and I cry a lot, feel so connected.

The little girl who frolicked at the zoo is alive now.

The best part is I now believe I am good enough - and I love standing in a forest or next to a creek and being fully immersed. The presence without pressure to produce an image is amazing.

I now see the beauty and value in it all, and the journey.

The birds have been with me through everything. 🥰

Portrait of a Heron. Taken at my local park

Ive been thinking about buying a cheap camera to upgrade from my s25 photography, although I'm more into the wildlife rather than the photography.