Shooting birds

[SimonW]

I can sit in a comfy chair in my nice warm lounge with a remote shutter release in my hand waiting for birds (lured by a feeder) to perch on the correct branch. After somewhere from ten minutes to half an hour I get bored. How on earth can anyone sit iin a cold damp hide for hours on end?

[Markulous]

'Cos we are all hoping to get a shot of a Blue Tit?

(actually, this was taken out of the bathroom window - but I opened the window!  )

Personally, I rarely visit hides, preferring to get my shots when out and about when birds are in their habitat - but taking shots at home is excellent practice 
Like this one when I was shooting fungi in the snow (so taken with the 105mm macro) when this guy turned up

[alan1572]

fantastic shot of the Robin

[alan1572]

How on earth can anyone sit in a cold damp hide for hours on end?

i am the same, half an hour tops in a hide for me, i'd rather be wondering around aimlessly and hope to find something to shoot

[Simple]

I find it very hard as well. I think it is where you set your standards. Not technically, but the type of birds you want to shoot. Personally I find that the lens is never long enough. The sun is never in the right place or of the correct strength. Yet, I have seen shots of friends of mine, that are excellent and with a smaller lens. They however sit in a hide from silly early time for hours and do this for days if not weeks just to get that shot of a bittern or kingfisher or owl. David on the following link is a good example. http://www.davidnewbyimages.co.uk/
The other thing about Bird photography is that it is probably the only type of photography were better (read expensive) kit gives you better pictures.

[Reinardina]

Very simple for me; I can't 'do' birds of the feathered variety. With my eyeproblems, I can see them when they move, but the minute they settle somewhere, they disappear in my blind spots.
Only once have I taken a picture of a robin, and that was only after I saw a woman taking photographs into a tree. When she left, I had a look and a robin was staring back at me. Within touching distance, and totally unfazed; didn't even bother when I used my on camera flash.

[bones615]

The sun is never in the right place or of the correct strength.

A set of flash triggers is useful, with a waterproof cover (sandwich bag) and sit indoors, put the kettle/music on & wait.

[Oldboy]

I don't sit in hides but I do sit out waiting for the birds to appear regardless of the weather. I've spent twelve hours sitting watching the Grey Heron chicks waiting for the parents to return with food. It can be a bit boring but you have no choice if you want that photo. The picture posted below, of the Mistle Thrush chicks in the nest took two hours to get this shot, as I had to wait that long for the sun to come out. 

[SimonW]

A great shot OB. I'd say your wait was well worth while.

[Skhilled]

I've been considering a setup for my backyard. I'll have to look more into this...

[rksmith51]

I've had many happy hours sitting in small shed like hide I put in the garden, Place the feeders so that the sun will help you get better shots, feed regularly and in winter you will be able to wrap up well and get loads of intersting activity. This is just one of many shots I'm dlighted to have captured.

[picsfor]

This is just one of many shots I'm dlighted to have captured.

looks like the pic got bored of waiting to be looked at 

[Markulous]

My home "setup" (just chuck camera on a tripod and return every now and then - usually when I make coffee!) is either through the front door (open with a blanket across the front!):




or out the bathroom window (open with the curtain in front!):


But I do try and get away from the bird-on-a-stick type shots as much as possible and attempt what I think are slightly more interesting comps - and only occasionally with something that looks set up or artificial - if I can't get it any other way! But must admit I rarely spend more than a few minutes - I could never do hours whatever the location (I always say that if you have to wait too long the subject is just not photogenic enough!  )

[skellum]

Photographing birds is something I have not done for ages. The last time I did was in our garden with the camera on a tripod focused on the bird bath and me in the kitchen with a remote trigger. One of my favorite shots is of some young Swallows waiting to be fed who I came upon unexpectedly while walking along a canal.

I have allways had a fascination with Puffins and will hopefully get to photograph them next spring on Anglesey

[Reinardina]

Some absolutely wonderful shots here! Especially Markulous' furry' bird!