what i am actually looking for is a spot where i can really test out my new equipment, i.e. canon 70-200mm is lens. i was hoping to find a place where i can get realtively close to animals in movement, just to practice. any suggestions?
If you're just looking to practice, and if you're using digital you won't be 'wasting' film, then any city park will have a number of habituated animals from chipmunks and squirrels to raccoons, and possibly larger animals. With a little food you'll find having them far enough away to focus will be more of a problem. Gulls are easily attracted to food also, and will allow you to practice panning/zooming, etc. Ditto ducks/ geese. Anywhere you find a bird feeder you'll find songbirds, from chickadees on up to and sometimes including crows.
In the 'wild' - unless you get really wild where animals aren't used to humans at all - getting close without a blind is often next to impossible.
Mike.