Telephoto lens

I found some ducks in my back garden back in Knutsford and I couldn't get a close enough shot, so I remembered my dad had a telephoto lens, and so I borrowed it for half en hour. The quality of the lens made the photos look so clear even when focused from far away. Just wish I could keep it for myself! I would love to further experiment taking close up shots of british wildlife, and make the most of the wildlife here and see what I can find. I want to improve my photographic skills so that for the future I may have a slight chance of being a photographer for a national geographic or any travel magazine... well everyone has to start somewhere....