There are wildlife shots that show the creature close up, and then there are photos that show the creature in its environment. Both are valid. I tend to like seeing environmental photos and behavioral photos, even if they are not as beautiful a depiction of the creature's exterior. Portraits are not the be all and end all of wildlife photography.
(Actually, the be all and end all of bird photography has to be a Missouri Dept of Natural Resources/ Conservation staff photographers's video of a close call from an attacking..........grouse. Noppadol Paothong did a decade long personal project of documenting prairie chickens and grouse, had many beautiful photos in a book "Save the last dance", also some short films. Well, he happened to be scouting a gathering place for the mating dance, and this 20 cm tall dominant male of an endangered species started attacking (jumping and pecking) the photographer's pant leg. He showed the video at our photography club meeting a few days ago. Hilarious.
http://www.nopnatureimages.com/Thanks, Chris.