Many wildlife photographers’ dream destinations are exotic remote locations that come with a hefty price tag. So how can we create pictures that are just as interesting of the diverse wildlife around us?
Brian P. Slade is a photographic enthusiast from Reading, Berkshire who offered his answer to this question in an Sigma Imaging UK Ltd. sponsored article of Wild Planet Photo magazine titled “Nature on your doorstep”.  Brian has had a camera in his hands from as far back as he can remember. He first got to grips with Sigma lenses during a trip to Cornwall a few years back when a friend lent him his Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM lens and he now uses the SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Sports lens.

Nature on your doorstep  by Brian P. Slade

Like every person that has a burning passion for wildlife photography, I have a desire to travel and visit some of the greatest places on earth. For me, my dream destination is a place where there is an abundance of not only wildlife, but landscapes and incredible people: Africa – but plane tickets are not cheap and, when you throw in food and accommodation, that sort of money can be hard to come by.  if like me, you can only justify owning a limited arsenal of kit, each purchase has to be carefully considered. However, the greatest thing about nature and wildlife is that it is all around us. Be it through the towns and cities, countryside, local ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, woodlands, marshlands and the coastal areas, it is there – including in your back garden or right on your doorstep.

All the images here were taken with a Canon 5D Mk II and a Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports Lens. If, like me, you can only justify owning a limited arsenal of kit, each purchase has to be carefully considered. While this year I hope to upgrade my camera body to a 5D Mk 4, I have owned the 150-600mm for almost two years now and use it 99.9 per cent of the time with great results. For bird hides and ground floor shooting I place the Sigma (or The Tank as I refer to it) on a small bean bag for support.  Using the Sigma 150-600mm with a simple monopod enables me to play the waiting game and concentrate on the shot.
CLICK HERE To read the full article on Wild Planet Photo Magazine website.