Confessions of a failed wildlife photographer
This bird feeder is all I have to show you of my attempts at wildlife photography.
It’s not that the birds don’t like our garden, or that the treats we put out for them aren’t to their taste. No. They just don’t like having their photographs taken.
I have tried. On sunny days I like to take a break out here, with a cup of tea. I’m often joined by Oliver and Lucy: the birds show no fear of the cat or dog. We often watch as tits and robins fly up to the bird feeder to help themselves. One particularly acrobatic blue tit must have eaten its own body weight in fat ball one day.
But when I go out there with my camera – nothing.
So instead I’m going to tell you some of my birdie tales.
Most recent was Saturday, when we noticed a couple of canoodling pigeons on the fence. After watching for a while I ran off to grab my camera, declaring ‘I will put this on my blog, with the title Love Doves.’ Perhaps it was that inbuilt ‘No Publicity’ gene, or maybe on this occasion the large golden retriever hurtling towards them over the lawn that was the real passion killer. Either way the scene I beheld upon my swift return was more Lovers’ Tiff than anything else. Not really worth a photograph.
Then there’s the robin who loves to be with us, looking truly picturesque against his leafy background of choice, while we work in the garden. Unless, of course, one of us has a camera…
And the three plucky magpies who came and joined us for afternoon tea. I really think they were daring each other to see who would get closest to the reclining cat! They came within 2 or 3 feet / 1 metre. Eventually I intervened. (The wildlife hunt and kill was not the sort of viewing I was hoping for!) But what a photograph that would have made! Instead I have only the memory, but a beautiful one.
Maybe one day these birds who make our garden their own will take pity on me. If they do, you’ll be the first to know!
In the meantime I’d love to hear about your wildlife photography successes, failures and top tips!
Thank you 
Merci beaucoup 
Thank you 
Does your camera have a remote shutter release such that you can mount the camera close to the feeder but shoot from a distance by remote? I’m assuming such devices must exist…but don’t really know. Keep trying!!!
I don’t do much wildlife photography because it takes a lot of patience. What I suggest is that you keep the camera aimed at the bird feeder and sit very very still. Look through the lens ready to shoot. Then wait. Don’t start shooting the minute the bird gets there. Wait till it is comfortable and then start shooting. Any major movement on your part will startle the bird and it will fly away.
BTW, What is tits? Watching tits fly by? LOL. i bet Mythos will say something about that:)
Grin and snicker
Most birds let me walk by and let me get real close to them.
Unless I point a camera their way.
Mpf.
I don’t know what it is about them.
But stay persistent, they will not realize that you have a cam at hand one day
Dan’s idea is a good one.
My remote (still sort of new and shiny) decided to stop working.
And since my tripod did the same, I just keep stalking them without those devices
I have been stalking (should there be a w in there?) a baby wood pigeon in my veg patch for the last 2 days. I think it’s fallen out of it’s nest and the parents keep visiting it with food. I can see it perfectly when I’m washing up at the kitchen window – when I go and get my camera it’s gone.
As they say never work with animals and children!
Thanks to you all for these comments and ideas.
Remote shutter release! What a good idea. Not just for this, but for anything that would be better without the risk of camera shake. I used to have one for my old 35mm camera but it was on a cord, and not long enough to make a difference to my proximity to the birds. But thanks to Dan’s suggestion and Nicole’s confirmation that such a thing does exist I’ve found one online and they’re not expensive. Thanks you two!
As I said, the problem isn’t specifically my presence. I could be in exactly the same spot without a camera and they’re very happy. Thanks to Nicole and Over Tired Mum for confirming that this phenomena does exist further afield than here in my garden! Good luck with stalking that baby wood pigeon!
As for you, Scriber, there’s always one who lowers the tone!!! I’ve sent you a link about tits. Although I have to admit that google was thinking along the same lines as you, until I added the word ‘birds’! The ones I see most often are blue tits and great tits. This has nothing to do with the cold or with implants of any kind…
Janice.
I look forward to that post of your perfect shot of the birds, but for the moment, just keep trying. You’ll take one soon!
Thanks for your confidence Danton! I will keep trying!
I did the same search the other day.
I guess I might have a safe filter on though. Not many naughty pics popped up
I find it adorable that you show a photo with your shy=invisible birds!
I have complete faith that someday you will capture their portraits! They are fast.
Yes, I do understand that flying tits might be a reference to a frenzied exotic dancer, however given the context here, I see it to be a reference to the Tit Mouse….which, again, is not a mouse with tits, but rather a wonderful little backyard bird, like the Chickadee, the Nuthatch, and the Mexican Sparrow which is actually a kind of finch. While it may be rather bold of me to say so, I feel I must confess (in the interest of re-affirming my manly manliness) my interest in tits of all kind. Sincerely, Bird-lover.
“Many species will live around human habitation and come readily to bird feeders for nuts or seed, and learn to take other foods. In Britain, Great Tits and Blue Tits famously learned to break open the foil caps sealing bottles of milk that had been delivered to homes to get at the cream floating on top.”
Wikipedia……….
Thanks Tammie! With everyone rooting for me like this how can I fail!!!
Dan and Scriber – don’t make me come over there!!!
And Dan again, yes it’s true. Any Brit of my generation and older will tell you. Our milk used to be delivered every morning by the milk man, who drove a little milk float packed with crates full of milk bottles – and also collected the empties. The 1 pint bottles had foil caps on top, and the top inch or so was the cream. There was a knack to opening these bottles – you had to press in with your thumb just enough to break the seal but not enough that you pierced the foil. If you got it right the foil cap could be replaced and kept the milk covered in the fridge. But the birds often got there first, piercing the foil caps with their beaks and drinking the cream. Obviously the rest of the milk then couldn’t be used! Do you know, I’d forgotten all about that!
Janice.
This picture of your bird feeder and bits of your yard is nice though…;) !
here’s to your birds getting over their fears of the paparazzzi !
Cheers !
I’ve never been able to photograph birds-I have no patience for it. (My working theory is that only members of the clergy can photograph birds, because they are patient enough to do things like refrain from eating meat, in this lifetime, waiting until the afterlife. I’m more of a “here and now” kind of person, so I don’t shoot birds.)
My friends in the know tell me that you have to get up very early in the morning (even before sunrise) and catch them at this time, as they come out for feeding and are more slow moving then. Also, it’s best to setup with a tripod, and a looong lens (300mm or longer) while just waiting for them for hours. My advice would be to also bring along a thermos with warm tea (or coffee) if you are so-inclined.
G’luck!
Thanks Kim and Carol. More and more I realise that I will have to get up earlier from time to time to take the shots I’d like! Not just for birds but also for the wonderful early morning light. I also don’t have a 300mm lens and am very much feeling the lack there too… So at least I have the makings of an action plan here! Thanks again.
Janice.
Yepp, get up early or go out later.
The Orioles I got short after 6 this morning
Tonight was a Marsh Harrier, but….
Just go save for a 400mm at least or you’ll regret it.
I have a 200mm and I’ve seen shots with the 400, yupp…..
BUT, that would mean that I most likely would have to haul a Tripod around, no?
*makes mental note to ask some people*
Until you get a different lense, just keep trying with what you have. It might be worth it *just count it as training period and birds getting used to you*
>> BUT, that would mean that I most likely would have to haul a Tripod around, no?
Yup. A 400 mm + a tripod at pre-dawn will get you some bird shots.
If you don’t want to spring the big bucks for a 300 or 400 mm lens, you could always go the extension tube route. You might be able to get a 200 and a 2x to work, though it won’t be as sharp and crisp as “the pros” (but, you know, it will get you in the neighborhood.) Especially if you have a reasonably good 200mm.
And, yes, a tripod is a must.
I’m telling you, only priests and monks should take pictures of birds. http://carols-world.blogspot.com/2007/04/my-impetuous-self.html
I bet you have a very nice garden….hmmmm..love gardening as well..