Choosing your equipment
From experience, do not invest most of your budget in the camera. It is better to choose an older model or mid-range camera to prioritise quality lenses.
A camera with an APS-C sensor can be a better choice than a full-frame for wildlife photography because you get extra reach with the same telephoto lens (x1.5 crop factor).
Also consider the species you want to capture. A 600mm lens will be useful mainly for small birds or to observe wild animals without scaring them. And then ask yourself what type of wildlife photos you want to take ? Do you simply want to show the animal up close or prefer a larger composition to show it in its environment ? In the latter case, there is no point in choosing the longest possible focal length. Choosing higher-quality optics with a wider aperture but a shorter focal length will yield you more interesting photos than just showing the animal in the center of the image up close.
Another essential consideration: the weight of your kit. Wildlife photography requires endurance, a lot of walking, etc… and if you also want more dexterity and flexibility in your movements, it will require handheld photos without the aid of a tripod. This is where the weight of the camera becomes an essential factor.
Examples of kits :
Beginners
Nikon D3500 + Nikon 100-300mm : 775g (lightest configuration possible)
Canon 200d + Canon EF 100-300mm : 950g
Expert
Nikon D7500 + Tamron 100-400mm : 1,8kg (good for freehand photos to follow birds in flight and the lens becomes a 150-600mm because mounted on an APS-C body)
Pro
Nikon D850 + Sigma 200-600mm : 2,8kg (configuration that requires a tripod or monopod)
Nikon D6 + Nikkor 500m F/4 : 4,5kg
Also you should choose a camera with a fast and accurate autofocus. The Nikon D500 was long considered the best in class. But the new mirrorless cameras like the Nikon Z7II or Sony A7 IV now feature excellent autofocus systems, which wasn’t the case with first-generation models.
Also look if the camera body and lens are weather-sealed, resistant to moisture, dust, and environmental elements, etc.
Digital cameras drop in price rapidly so it is often wiser to choose an older “pro” and tropicalized camera than a newer, more expensive model. Keep in mind: the more megapixels your sensor has, the more you’ll need to invest in high-quality lenses to take full advantage of the resolution…
The stealth and the hide
Before approaching an animal, you should understand its behavior, its hearing, vision and sense of smell, along with its possible reactions to your presence…
Birds are generally more active at the beginning and end of the day, which is ideal since the light is more interesting at these times (golden hour, backlighting, etc.). They will also be more easily observed after a period of rain, often feed on earthworms driven to the surface.
Your approach will also have to adapt according to the seasons of migration, reproduction, hibernation…
Mammals have a less developed view than birds but will be more sensitive to your smell and noises (especially for felines).
So learn to walk slowly and discreetly with clothes that blend into the landscape. And above all, be very patient!
To observe rare and exceptional moments, using a hide is ideal. It allows you to completely blend into the landscape without disturbing animal life. A simple camouflage net can be enough to improvise a hide or place you can use vegetation to conceal yourself. Your car can also serve as a hide when photographing animals that live near roads. For birds, nature reserves often provide observation hides that serve as camouflage.
Also scout and use bait in strategic locations (checking local laws before baiting). Accustom the animal to always find food in the same place. Then position yourself according to light and wind (to avoid being detected by your smell).
For composition, try to be as often as possible at eye level with the animal, play with the rule of thirds and pay attention to your background to make your subject stand out.
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