Opportunities for wildlife photography in the Parks of the Capital City: A Comprehensive Overview
As an experienced photographer, I can attest that London offers a diverse range of locations suitable for capturing various kinds of images, from urban street scenes to impressive architectural designs. Additionally, I have discovered that London’s parks contain an abundance of unique wildlife, making them excellent for nature photography.
London boasts vast parkland areas that host an extensive and diverse selection of wild creatures available for inspiring urban wildlife photography, ranging from red deer, fallow deer, and a variety of birds to squirrels. In addition to the wildlife, the parks contain numerous woodlands with abundant landscape and floral photography opportunities. During autumn, the parks are home to an extensive variety of fungi that can also make for splendid photography subjects.
For those who have some knowledge of photography, the suggested locations are easy to reach by either vehicle or public transportation, making them an ideal starting point for those interested in wildlife photography, especially if they live in or around the city. These places are perfect for a short photography session, so let us take a closer look.
Richmond
Richmond Park is a fascinating place to explore that offers many subjects for photography. As the largest area of scientific interest in London, the park spans 2500 acres of grassland and woodland habitats, providing ample space to study and observe the natural environment. The park is renowned for its collection of ancient trees, specifically oak trees, and is home to many different species of mammals, birds, insects, and plants.
Located in the southwest of London, south of the M4, off the south circular, Richmond Park can be accessed by a variety of means. The park boasts significant parking facilities available at various points, and it is readily reached by train, with Richmond station situated a 20-minute walk away.
Richmond: Deer
The deer population in the park is a well-known attraction, consisting of over 350 red and fallow deer. During the late summer and autumn, the fallow and red deer respectively engage in their mating rituals in the deep woodland areas. It’s common to see male stags during these periods, fiercely protecting their groups of hinds.
Frequently, it is possible to observe male deer fighting for the opportunity to mate. As the deer inhabiting the park are not domesticated, it is crucial to treat them with respect. Keeping a safe distance, particularly when they are engaged in a fight, and refraining from interfering with a male deer’s pursuit of females are imperative.
During early morning or late evenings, with low light and misty conditions, it’s ideal to search for deer. You can take advantage of the misty mornings by capturing the classic silhouette, and also the misting breath of bellowing deer.
To capture compelling deer shots while working in wooded regions, it’s important to experiment with various compositions. Using a longer lens, such as a 300mm, is typically sufficient for photographing deer portraits. However, it’s important to approach the animals gradually and with caution to avoid disturbance.
Richmond: Little Owls
The park boasts an extensive population of mature oak trees, making it an ideal habitat for Little owls. These fascinating creatures were introduced in the 1800s and successfully bred for the first time in 1879, cementing their position as well-regarded members of the UK’s wildlife. While Little owls provide a great photo opportunity, they can initially be a challenge to capture.
If you want to spot an owl In the park, try searching along the fence lines surrounding the trees. Observe if they are perching on these fences, as they usually do when scanning the ground for food. During springtime, they typically seek out mature oak trees for breeding locations, showing a preference for deep holes in the trunk where a limb of the tree has broken off.
If you see an owl while driving through the park, make a mental note of its location so that you can return to that spot for a closer look when walking. Typically, owls tend to revisit their regular hunting areas.
To approach an owl, it is important to proceed in a slow and cautious manner while keeping an eye out for any signs that the owl may be aware of your presence. They may lock eyes on you and move their head around. If you are detected, it’s important to remain still and give the owl time to evaluate you before resuming its hunt for prey.
If you happen to stumble upon a spot where owls are nesting, it is advised that you exercise caution while working in that area. One possible method to minimise your interference with the owls would be to bring along a bag hide to conceal yourself from view.
When capturing images of owls, it is advisable to avail a lens with a focal length of at least 400mm in order to capture the subject really well. Ideally, a 500mm lens should be used. Moreover, teleconverters and APS-C-type sensors also come in handy to aid in capturing sharp and detailed images.
If you’re unable to locate any owls in Richmond, consider capturing the breathtaking beauty of the ancient oaks through photography. These trees are over a thousand years old and truly exquisite.
During the months of late June through August, it might prove useful to keep a lookout for stag beetles in the park. The park is an optimal habitat for these sizable insects. You may even detect the sounds of male beetles loudly flying about, in their strenuous search for mating partners. You can seek out your wildlife photos with Vortex binoculars. This binocular is among the lightest, most compact, full-size premium binoculars on the market. High density, extra-low dispersion glass for outstanding edge-to-edge clarity.
Richmond: Planning
Richmond boasts of a unique offering that makes it an excellent destination for a full-day exploration. It’s strategic location and world-class facilities make it possible to enjoy your visit with fewer crowds, particularly during the winter months. By arriving early, visitors can make the most of their time and engage in discovering the diverse wildlife available.
Once you’ve had a productive morning, you can return to the café and savour a hot cup of coffee accompanied by a bacon sandwich or any other vegetarian or vegan options of your choice. This break allows you to review your captured images and strategize for the remaining hours. It’s common to spend a whole day capturing photos, from sunrise to sunset, so make sure you’re mentally and physically prepared for the task. Remember to bring your favourite chocolate bars to help you power through the afternoon!
Regents Park
Regents Park, situated in central London, is an exceptional destination for wildlife photography, particularly for bird photography. The park is easily reachable by tube, and it provides ample opportunities for capturing beautiful images of various bird species.
If you’re visiting the park by tube, it’s just a quick stroll from the station. All you need to do is cross the main road and Follow the path straight ahead, which will lead you right into the park. Once there, head left to find the stunning lakes, which boast some of the most photogenic scenery around. You’ll also have the chance to capture some amazing shots of the grey herons – these majestic birds are a popular and easy-to-approach choice for many photographers. Keep an eye out for them near the pathways, as well as the feeding area for ducks where they often scavenge scraps of food.
Regents Park: Herons
During the beginning of the year, a considerable heronry can be observed in the park. The herons construct sizable nests in the weeping willow trees, which can be located near the bandstand. These birds are seen carrying sticks while flying to and from the trees, providing an excellent opportunity to capture flight images. You do not need an extensive lens, as a focal length of 70-200mm is sufficient to produce a variety of compositions due to the birds’ large size.
Observe the courtship rituals of birds in the trees and keep an eye out for the heron chicks in their nests during spring. When near the birds, consider capturing unique images like detailed shots of feathers or focusing on a close-up of their heads.
An alternative approach is to place the objects within an urban setting and display them alongside individuals strolling by or buildings in the background.
Regents Park: Waterfowl
Furthermore, aside from the herons, the park presents an amazing opportunity to capture photos of other waterfowl species as well. The ponds are home to various types of birds, such as tufted ducks, pochards and great crested grebes, presenting excellent chances to capture impressive pictures. To maximise your experience, it is advisable to arrive there early and avoid the crowds, while also taking advantage of the best lighting conditions.
This location is favourable for capturing flight photos of ducks as they frequently move back and forth. To enhance your shots, try lowering your shutter speed to 1/60th of a second, which differs from the standard 1/1000th of a second recommended for flight photography, to add an element of motion blur to the wings and create more captivating images. This spot is ideal for continuous practice in tracking, locking focus, and taking shots at the perfect moment. Additionally, the surrounding area has many dining and drinking options, making it a great place to relax and avoid rush hour traffic After a long day of shooting.
Other Parks
In addition to the two previously mentioned areas, there are also numerous parks and outdoor spaces in the London region that are ideal for those interested in wildlife photography. Bushy Park, Hyde Park, the London Wetland Centre, and RSPB Rainham Marshes are all excellent options for capturing a variety of wildlife. Whether you live or work in the city, there will always be top-notch locations available to satisfy your passion for wildlife photography.
