The birds they mock me
Discussion
Any general tips for taking pics of birds?(the flying kind)
Also how do you deal with the shot that got away
inspired by a few of your pictures and having 2 Blue tits and 2 Robins who hang around in the garden all day I got the camera out today.
get camera ready on little tripod on arm of sofa (right next to patio window) fill bird feeder with lovely live wriggling worms about 6 feet from patio and wait wand wait some more.
nothing appears, watch a film constantly looking out of window nothing. Bah
walk to get coffee leaving camera set up stop and look out of window just as a robin arrives on its usual perch a few feet away. Don't want to go for camera as if I move ot will fly off
Then a blue tit arives and lands next to it on the same branch then the other blue tit lands on the other side of it!
for a few seconds a frigging robin blue tit sandwhich 6 feet away!! then teh robin does its usual humbing bird impression which would been a good pic on its own as it eyes up a worm.
Never! never have they frigging done this before in fact until recently the blue tits always attacked/harrassed the robins when they arrived.
I swear they are taking the piss
think I'll try cars at least you can get them to stay still
Also how do you deal with the shot that got away
inspired by a few of your pictures and having 2 Blue tits and 2 Robins who hang around in the garden all day I got the camera out today.
get camera ready on little tripod on arm of sofa (right next to patio window) fill bird feeder with lovely live wriggling worms about 6 feet from patio and wait wand wait some more.
nothing appears, watch a film constantly looking out of window nothing. Bah
walk to get coffee leaving camera set up stop and look out of window just as a robin arrives on its usual perch a few feet away. Don't want to go for camera as if I move ot will fly off
Then a blue tit arives and lands next to it on the same branch then the other blue tit lands on the other side of it!
for a few seconds a frigging robin blue tit sandwhich 6 feet away!! then teh robin does its usual humbing bird impression which would been a good pic on its own as it eyes up a worm.
Never! never have they frigging done this before in fact until recently the blue tits always attacked/harrassed the robins when they arrived.
I swear they are taking the piss
think I'll try cars at least you can get them to stay still
Edited by Pesty on Friday 9th April 19:27
Birds are not difficult subjects - but look at it from their perspective you're a lot bigger than them, if you were a blue tit would you want to eat worms with a great hulk [You] sitting 6 feet away with a strange looking object in his hand - the camera
You need the birds to become used to seeing you sitting in that position B4 trying to take photo's of 'em. Why not make up a dummy out of old clothes stuffed with newspaper, and leave the dummy in you chosen camera position for a few days B4 trying to take some photo's - Good Luck
Bird photography is certainly NOT for the impatient.
You need the birds to become used to seeing you sitting in that position B4 trying to take photo's of 'em. Why not make up a dummy out of old clothes stuffed with newspaper, and leave the dummy in you chosen camera position for a few days B4 trying to take some photo's - Good Luck
Bird photography is certainly NOT for the impatient.
Taken from about 7' away, me sat on a garden swing with a camouflage jacket on hiding behind a bit of trellis. I had to stay there for about 30 minutes to get the birds used to me being there but it was worth it in the end. Uncropped, taken with the Canon 40D and Sigma 100-300 f4 at 300mm and f5.6.
Click for hugeness.
Click for hugeness.
Awsome shot! the detail of the feathers is amazing
I take it you were aimed at the little stand waiting for one to land? or are you able to move the camera around.
problem I have two large cage feeders and they can go in at any angle also they can sit anywhere along the branch where they eye the worms up.
I'd had an idea though looking at that pic.
I could sit in the shed with the doors open. The robins already will stay in the garden as long as I don't get too close sometimes they will fly in the tree next to me as I put the worms out.
but I only have a basic point and click. No lense that would get a decent shot at that distance.
I take it you were aimed at the little stand waiting for one to land? or are you able to move the camera around.
problem I have two large cage feeders and they can go in at any angle also they can sit anywhere along the branch where they eye the worms up.
I'd had an idea though looking at that pic.
I could sit in the shed with the doors open. The robins already will stay in the garden as long as I don't get too close sometimes they will fly in the tree next to me as I put the worms out.
but I only have a basic point and click. No lense that would get a decent shot at that distance.
Arrange a bird table within view of an openable window; preferbly with an uncluttered background, and let the birds get used to it. Keep it well-supplied with a variety of foods (seed, suet, dried fruit etc). I have a piece of cloth with a hole cut in it that I can hang at the window, with the camera pointing through on a tripod. I attach an "interesting" stick to the side of the bird table. Birds will often alight here before going on the table.
This male Blackcap obliged nicely. Just had to wait an age for him to turn up!
This male Blackcap obliged nicely. Just had to wait an age for him to turn up!
I love taking bird pics, but they are so difficult to catch particularly with a great pose. As said you need loads and loads of patience. Set up a feeding station close to some trees / bushes so they can hide / perch with protection. This should attract them to the garden.
I’ve recently started to use a 100-400mm lens, but find the best results setting the camera up in the garden at a known branch where the birds perch. A remote shutter release is ace for this as you can have a brew while watching them flutter about. You need loads of patience though.
Or just go to a bird of prey sanctuary and fill ya boots
I’ve recently started to use a 100-400mm lens, but find the best results setting the camera up in the garden at a known branch where the birds perch. A remote shutter release is ace for this as you can have a brew while watching them flutter about. You need loads of patience though.
Or just go to a bird of prey sanctuary and fill ya boots
Great pics guys keep them coming
Getting them in the garden isnt a problem Getting them to do it when I have a camera is
guess I need more patience
Like the idea about a hole in a piece of cloth. In fact if I open the patio doors I can close the curtains to leave a small gap that sould do it. Cheers
Getting them in the garden isnt a problem Getting them to do it when I have a camera is
guess I need more patience
Like the idea about a hole in a piece of cloth. In fact if I open the patio doors I can close the curtains to leave a small gap that sould do it. Cheers
Well, I thought my hummingbird was good until I saw some of the shots here... 
here goes anyway:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/snapperben/4507525818...
here goes anyway:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/snapperben/4507525818...
Fantastic pictures guys.
I only have a compact point and click digital ( a Ricoh caplio R6 7.1 zoom lense not enough )and this was my first attempt.
I can see that if I want to take some proper pictures I need a decent camera with a zoom lense of some kind.
I didtched the little tri pod because They were not playing ball again and by the time I adjusted to where they were the little buggers moved. All 4 were in the garden at the same time again but not where I wanted them! Also teh zoom is not enough for taking from from where I was set up
These were taken with me stood in front of the patio door through the glass never taken wildlife photos before I just get enjoyment out of watching them all day so thought I would try and get some shots. They are pretty used to me and don't mind me standing in full view as long as I don't move too sharply.
rubish compared to your pics but you have to start somewhere
I only have a compact point and click digital ( a Ricoh caplio R6 7.1 zoom lense not enough
)and this was my first attempt. I can see that if I want to take some proper pictures I need a decent camera with a zoom lense of some kind.
I didtched the little tri pod because They were not playing ball again and by the time I adjusted to where they were the little buggers moved. All 4 were in the garden at the same time again but not where I wanted them! Also teh zoom is not enough for taking from from where I was set up
These were taken with me stood in front of the patio door through the glass never taken wildlife photos before I just get enjoyment out of watching them all day so thought I would try and get some shots. They are pretty used to me and don't mind me standing in full view as long as I don't move too sharply.
rubish compared to your pics but you have to start somewhere
Edited by Pesty on Saturday 10th April 13:11
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