I’m taking on bird photography, which may be the most challenging yet. This isn’t easy. Birds move much faster than I do, and they stay a micro-second, long enough to grab some seed or suet and sail off. To capture them,
I have to use a tripod, which is challenging, and curse the wind, which spins and shakes the feeder constantly.
If the wind doesn’t tilt the feeder, more giant birds land on it with a thud, which goes around and around, a nightmare for settings and exposure decisions. I rarely have time to get set; things are happening too fast, and the feeder and the birds are constantly in motion.
I like this photography and want to work on it with specific lenses, like the one I used for the feature shot above. We bought a thinner, longer feeder and plan to put it outside a living room window.
I can set up the tripod, sit on a chair, learn patience, and wait for the birds to come to me and be still. Looking at a bird feeder is pretty grounding. The songbirds are amazing creatures, and I am learning a lot watching them.
That will take some time and some work and research. I sat for an hour at the window and only got one or two usable pictures.
I have to experiment with lenses and settings, and I will have to adjust myself to new settings and faster reflexes. I’m excited about it and will get to work on it over the weekend. I learned a lot yesterday and today.
In the meantime, here are three of my shots today. I have work today, but I think I can pull it off. At least the flowers stand still.
I shot these inside Maria’s studio; the birds don’t notice or care that I am in the window. But if I even cough, they disappear. This is a good exercise for me. I will learn to be patient and still, or I’ll fail and hate to fail.
I’m starting with a Leica 60 mm and might switch to a bigger lens.
A big and beautiful bird landed on the feeder below, but the bird and the wind kept turning the feeder around, so I only got the corner shot of this big and beautiful thing.
Photography is such an art! My father and grandfather were both great photographers and both were part of a special group studying at the San Diego zoo. Grandfather took great composed pictures but we were do glad to have had a professional for my wedding. He is was to excited to have his first grandchildren marrying and got few good pictures. He wad hot good at the quick shot . My father was much better at the candid shot. You I’ m sure will learn slot and we all will enjoy the ride!
Wonderful challenge. I look forward to your progress. I l9ve birds.
I like this new photo adventure you are undertaking! I have several friends who are avid birders….. they are pretty much in agreement that although ALL bird photography is challenging…..the close up’s are the most difficult. Perhaps your bird photos will bring us as much joy as your flowers do!
Susan M
Jon, this is what I got on view. and my comment was wow, oh wow. the closeup was only feeder, no bird. but the view is still oh wow, jon,oh wow.
i cannot transfer it somehow. i have it on my desktop and i still say o wow. veronica
I love bird photography. I push up my screen and wash the glass. I use my 70-300 lens and prop my elbows on the kitchen counter which is where I can view 2 feeders. There’s a bush there too and that’s where I get my best photos It’s harder to photograph at my picture window so I draw the curtains and stick the lens through so I don’t spook the birds. For every 100 shots, I might get 2-3 good ones I favor natural environment over at feeders and try hard to get catch lights in the bird’s eyes.
I love photographing birds. And yes, it is a challenge. I sometimes have to take 100-300 shots just to get a few usable ones. But that’s what makes it fun.
I enjoy bird watching and look forward to seeing what birds your lens captures! Thank you!
Great closeups of songbirds on the feeders. I’m loving them and can appreciate the challenge you have to get them. One idea I thought of is to tie a string or length of fishing line to two corners of the feeder and attach them to the house. This might stop most of the movement of the feeders and help your photography. Just a thought.
Cheers.
1. American Tree Sparrow
2. Red-bellied Woodpecker
3. Blue Jay
Love birds! It’s a whole new world of photography.