So. What makes for a good wildlife photographer and, more importantly, a good wildlife shot? For me it's down to two things:

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1. Patience. Most, if not all of my images, have been achieved through waiting. Often in fairly inhospitable conditions and usually accompanied by the sure and certain knowledge that if I left now I'd miss whatever it was I'd been waiting (insert hours) for, but you have to be prepared - physically, mentally and equipment-wise) to see things out.

2. Stealth. There's zero point in rocking on up at your chosen location wearing a pink spandex shell suit shouting to anyone in earshot that you're going around the reserve - don't expect to see much if that's your thing. Buying into the right clothing, reading about fieldcraft, concentrating on the job in hand and not the latest Tweet from whoever, are all things that will ramp up your chances of seeing/hearing/photographing the wildlife that's out there. 

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Put those two pieces of the puzzle together and you have the answer to what's a good wildlife shot - one you've caught through your skill and tenacity. One you've spent hours getting, or worse, not getting for days, but you've gone back determined to get it.