Advice to clearly photograph objects about 10mm in size from ~100 meters

Just because you are a "phd" candidate does not qualify you to do photography.  It qualifies you to find people who can help you do what you want.  Doing a research paper often requires involving many different people from their respective fields.

That said, I did tell you what I've used to do what you want.  Since it can be assumed that you can ask people in other departments for help, I suggest that you find a photographer and an astronomer with the equipment and skills that you need.  You cannot expect to do this by yourself, and your results will depend on the weather conditions.  Rising heat distortions means no results!

The proven method of recording animal data is to observe with your eyes and write it down on paper.  Photography, as you've mentioned, is not a necessity, nor is it covered by an approved grant, and so unless you can find people who are willing to help you for cheap, I suggest dropping it because what you're asking for is economically infeasible.

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http://www.alexanderrogge.net/arshutterbug