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I\u2019ll admit I\u2019m not a first-class bird photographer\u2014in spite of my name. However, I was a hunter when I was in school, and some of the attributes of hunting apply to photographing birds. My father taught me to hunt and fish, and for a while, I loved to do both. Hunting taught me stealth and patience. Patience was the most difficult lesson to learn, and to this day I have a problem with it. But for both hunting and photography, you need a backpack full. I used my experience stalking and shooting animals to help me photograph. Have you heard of panning<\/em> a camera? That\u2019s what you do when you have a moving subject and you move the camera along with it. As a result, the subject in the photo appears sharp and the background is blurred, giving a feeling of speed or movement. I first learned the art of panning <\/em>when I had to lead a duck to shoot it in flight<\/p>\n If you want to get really close to a bird and you live near the coast, try a pelican. Sometimes these photographic hams will nearly come to pick your pocket. You can approach them, and they usually pose nicely for you. Their feather detail is really good, too. They are my favorite birds to photograph.<\/p>\n I\u2019d suggest that when you go on your first outing to a place where you expect to take bird photos, don\u2019t take a camera. Yes, that\u2019s what I said–no camera<\/em>. Take notes instead. Watch the birds and see what their habits are. Answer questions such as the following: \u201cWhat scares them?\u201d \u201cWhat way to approach them was the most successful?\u201d \u201cWhere could which species be found most readily?\u201d \u201cWhat were their feeding habits?\u201d There are books in the library to help you and resource people such as local game wardens who can lead you to sites where interesting birds are common. Don\u2019t forget about using the Internet as a resource, as well. You can locate sites for nearby National Wildlife Reserves and State Parks that can provide quantities of great information.<\/p>\n So, be ready to take multiple shots.<\/p>\n If you get the chance, look up. Practice following a bird in flight and think about snapping the shutter. Do this a number of times before you actually do it. It becomes easier with practice, and a good flight shot is something to be proud of. Bird photography is not as easy as it might seem. It takes patience and perseverance. You may have to go on many outings and make many attempts before you become good at it. Stalking a bird with a camera is every bit as exciting as hunting big game with a gun. Happily, however, when you have what you want, the bird is still there for the next photographer or even for you when you return to that spot. So, go out there and mingle with your fine-feathered friends.<\/p>\n by Willis T. Bird<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.apogeephoto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/dec2003\/APHooter.JPG\")
You can\u2019t usually go bounding up to a wild bird to take its photo. In my area, there are many wading birds–herons, egrets, etc. Like a hunter, a photographer should study his \u201cprey\u201d as well as he can to understand their habits. For instance, I\u2019ve found that great egrets are more tolerant of people than are great blue herons. So, you have to approach a great blue much more cautiously than you would an egret. However, moving close to either requires patience and care. If you move slowly at an angle to them–avoiding looking them in the eye, you have a better chance. Stop often and don\u2019t keep pressing toward them constantly.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.apogeephoto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/dec2003\/APMistyE.JPG\")
At home, you can capture excellent shots by setting up feeders and\/or birdbaths near a window. Or, you can make yourself a blind to bring yourself really close to the action. (Using a flash is a good way to obtain fill-in light and stop the action of a bird that moves a lot.) Another good place to catch shots of special birds is to go to a wildlife festival where birds in rehabilitation are displayed. Rehabilitation centers also have some residents that can\u2019t be rehabilitated and are kept for instructional and educational purposes. Often, even unusual birds (such as the eagle and owl shown in this article) are available for close-up shots.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.apogeephoto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/dec2003\/APperfec.JPG\")
When you think you\u2019ve learned enough to go out to try your hand at bird photography, you need to check your equipment. In most cases, I\u2019d suggest that you be equipped with no less than a 300mm lens. In some cases, you may get by with a 200mm. However, the ideal lens is a 400mm of the best quality you can afford. I would also suggest film of ISO 200 or above. Finally, even though it becomes cumbersome and at times you may want to throw it into a nearby pond, a sturdy tripod is a near must. When you\u2019re dealing with lenses of the length I\u2019m suggesting, any small jiggle–such as the shutter clicking–will cause blur. Birds are notorious for moving at the wrong time. Many will fly away at the first click of your shutter or whir of your motor drive.<\/p>\n