Best Wildlife Attractions

Photographing wildlife is almost always a tricky activity that might involve traveling to far-off places, but narrowing down where to find the best displays of wildlife is a good start. Some of the the best-known wildlife attractions in the country involve little actual wilderness travel, while others might require the photographer to get his hiking boots on and venture out into the great wide open. This guide should help anyone with a flair for wildlife photography to find some of the top hotspots for wildlife nationwide.

A birder's paradise

Birders are a fickle bunch, known for traveling to great lengths to snap a single photo of an elusive migratory bird. Lucky for them, the migration patterns of most birds are very easy to track and predict. The annual spring migration of Whooping and Sandhill cranes on and around the Platte River in Nebraska is a true sight to behold. Thousands of cranes land and "refuel" as they prepare for their long journey northward. Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge in Missouri is similar in nature, as snow geese land and wait here on their journey to Canada. Hundreds of thousands of these geese pass through the refuge during the months of November and December, as well as thousands more of other types of birds.

Reliving a bit of the Old West

American bison might no longer roam free, but to see a herd grazing free is still a sight to behold. Yellowstone National Park is probably the best bet for anyone wanting to see them up close and in their natural environment. The bison graze, fight for territory and even gallop around the roads and paths that one can take while in the park. Wild horses make one feel a bit more free, especially in the age of regulation in nearly all facets of life. Nevada, the de facto home to gambling and the "if it feels good, do it" attitude, unsurprisingly still carries much of the cavalier Old West sensibilities, as it has designated dozens of sites where wild horses can run free. For those who prefer their animals in a bit more of a controlled environment, the nation's zoos hold an impressive amount of wildlife in areas that simulate their natural environments. Some of the top zoos are in San Diego, Columbus and Omaha, each containing thousands of animals and varied exhibits from the desert savannahs in San Diego to the largest indoor desert and nocturnal exhibits in Omaha.

Finding the right place to capture photographic conquests is oftentimes a difficult but rewarding experience. Knowing where to go is as important as when, which is why guides like these are so important.