Communal Bird Photography Thread

[David M]

Or a Robin having a clean up.


A film shot from the 90's. Taken in Cheshire with a forgotten lens.

[Olybirder]

Originally Posted by Thomas Westhead

Now for a daft question does the image have to be taken with Olympus equipment ?

I don't know Thomas, I hadn't really thought about it but I am sure we could accommodate the odd one or two, as long as the thread doesn't get filled with them. I will just go and sharpen my pitchforks.

Ron

[Thomas Westhead]

Hi Ron,

Thanks for that, also any tips/techniques that could be shared would also be good.

Trying to photograph birds is so so difficult and the smaller species can be difficult i,e, small birds in bushes, on the flip side when it all works out it can be very rewarding.

[Sandra]

Hoping to share my breakfast!

[Olybirder]

Hi Thomas. The most useful tips don't involve photography at all but fieldcraft, which is something that I am not terribly good at. It involves observing and understanding the habits of the bird to allow you to get close without disturbing it. Many things are obvious such as ensuring that you keep a fairly low profile and are not silhouetted against the sky. If you can find a tree to stand in front of that will help and try not to make any sudden movements. Move slowly and with experience you can usually tell if the bird is getting a bit twitchy. In that case just stay still and with a bit of luck the bird will relax again. However, it has to be said that some birds are just naturally more nervous that others.

The most useful photographic tip I can give is to use a small focus target and always try to place it on the eye and beak area. If these are in focus the rest of the bird is not so important. I am sure other members will be able to post some more useful tips.

Ron

[Olybirder]

Hi Sandra. I hope you gave them a little bit of your breakfast for posing so nicely for you. An unusual and appealing shot.

Ron

[Olybirder]

One of the highlights of last year was seeing my first Desert Wheatear. In fact, like buses, you wait ages for one and then two turn up at once - one at Lowestoft and one at Gorleston. I have posted a couple of shots of the Lowestoft bird before but not the Gorleston one shown here. This shot is full frame and uncropped, to show just how confiding it was. As somebody there said "It has possibly never seen people before, let alone a camera."

As usual E-M1 and 75-300 II.

Ron

[art frames]

Originally Posted by David M

How about an American Robin?



OM 350mm and 1.4x-A. Taken on the Lake Huron shoreline in Ontario.

I really like him, a bird with attitude.

I also liked the Rose-breasted Grosbeak. It did look like it had just killed and eaten something and the blood was on his bib. But it was a splendid pose.

best wishes

[art frames]

Originally Posted by Olybirder

One of the highlights of last year was seeing my first Desert Wheatear. In fact, like buses, you wait ages for one and then two turn up at once - one at Lowestoft and one at Gorleston. I have posted a couple of shots of the Lowestoft bird before but not the Gorleston one shown here. This shot is full frame and uncropped, to show just how confiding it was. As somebody there said "It has possibly never seen people before, let alone a camera."

Ron

Ron, a really fine shot of a bird I won't get to see. But I know the joy that 'lifetime firsts' bring from my experiences with butterflies.
I do need an expert birder with me when I see something new. Luckily I have such a friend. I just know it is something new to me and he tells me what we are seeing.
Please keep them coming, this was a good idea of yours.

[brian1208]

getting away from Robins, a large crop of a House Martin in flight taken whilst trying out portrait orientation shooting with the EM-1 + 40-150 pro with 9fps sequential in CAF

martin, CAF portrait 9fps by Brian Wadie Photographer, on Flickr

and a Hawk Conservancy Trust Kite about to take a chicken leg, shot using my original EM-1 + SWD 50-200

Kite about to take chiken piece 50-200 by Brian Wadie Photographer, on Flickr

[David M]

Originally Posted by art frames

I really like him, a bird with attitude.

I also liked the Rose-breasted Grosbeak. It did look like it had just killed and eaten something and the blood was on his bib. But it was a splendid pose.

best wishes

American Robins are summer visitors for us and the males have an attitude when they arrive and set up territories.

[cliff]

On my laptop now having wrestled it from the boy.

Following some great advice and help from Brian, Peter, and Ron (many thanks) I can now post flicker images here using a laptop, so far I can only provide a link in posts using an Android tablet/phone.

Anyhow here is a pic of a pigeon nest building under our neighbours solar panels

using some rather modern materials, looks like he's struggling a bit reading the instructions



Flat pack nests by cliff scrivens, on Flickr

Great thread Ron

[Olybirder]

Well spotted Cliff. That's one nest which isn't going to fall down. A great, fun shot.

Ron

[Wee man]

Boy you sure nailed that shot,..............

[David M]

The shot of the Pigeon reminded me of this



When the adults started lining the nest with the red wool I searched high and low for the source so I could stop them using it. I never found it, by the time this photo was taken it was a lot less visible.