nightOwl
Premium Member
jroovers - Thanks for sharing! I figured you were shooting from a fixed location. Some of my closest shots have come from my backyard as well. I have a portable blind that I use when I go into the forest and it is a big help. A variety of food is the best approach as well...lol. My wife is like our back yard does not need 3 different feeders...then I show her my pictures and that's the end of that discussion . Keep sharing...I got a new camera recently so you are inspiring me to get out and shoot some birds.
Thanks everyone for the comments
These birds are all essentially in the back of my yard which backs onto a small forest with a stream. I have feeders set up in the back that includes mixed seed, nyger, and suet, so it attracts a variety of birds including the nuthatches and woodpeckers. The shots are all from a blind that I set up, knowing in advance where the birds are likely to be. Then it is just a simple waiting game to have them hopefully land where I want. The feeders draw in a high concentration of birds, especially the cardinals. I use a 400 5.6, not quite a super tele, but getting there. Would love a 500 f4 but just too much money. Without the blind I don't think I would get close enough to get these shots. I get bored sitting in the blind and much prefer to move around, but for short periods it is actually quite relaxing and it has resulted in much better opportunities IMO for better images when the birds are cooperating.
The woodpecker shots are "staged" in the sense that I give them an incentive to land where I want them to I put a bit of "bark butter" (basically a peanut butter infused suet) on the perch of my choosing for a few days and then they are eager to land where I'm set up in my blind looking for the treat. So I guess they are being rewarded or compensated for their services and are staged. It is fun and rewarding to pick a spot, set up the shot conceptually, and then have the birds cooperate. Takes some patience, which I'm not the best at having, but definitely enjoyable. It doesn't always work out, but it is nice when it does.