Bird Photography

Nature is fascinating. The “Tree” that you stand and admire. The amusing antics of many a bird, the darting reptile, the varied insects with stunning colors, the cloud formation, the flowing rivers, the rain, the gentle breeze, the stars ..the joy is unending...

One of the most captivating presence in nature is that of the bird. Watching these birds in their natural habitat is a hobby that is shared by humans world-wide. There are published records of about 8000 species found across the globe! Several invaluable books exist that helps one identify these birds.

However, photographing them in their natural habitat, may perhaps be the most challenging & exciting task that humans have ever faced. Many have tried and many more are sure to try.

I am making an attempt here to share with you some of the lessons I learnt while trying to photograph these glorious creations of god!

To begin with, In the field you will soon learn that,

1. Apart from a few, most birds disappear as humans approach
2. Many a bird’s survival tactic is to remain unnoticed
3. Birds are varied in size. As small as a human thumb to as tall as a human!
4. Bird habitat is varied. Some live up, up in the sky and some rarely leave the ground
5. Bird call are varied. You can soon learn to recognize birds by their call
6. Some Birds nest several times throughout the year, while some only once a year
7. Nesting season varies (you will find at least one nest at any given time of the year)
8. Many, nests are predated, the eggs & young acting as valuable food for the predators.
9. Some birds lay a single egg, while many lay several eggs
10. Nesting material are varied. Grass & twigs to mud. Cobweb & saliva too.
11. Nest types are varied. ‘’ Scratch on the ground” to elaborate pendulous weaving.
12. If humans interact with the nest in any way, the chances of it being predated doubles
13. Most birds are most approachable while they have young to feed (please be careful)
14. Most adult birds give out a distinct alarm call if they sense danger (normal call is different)
15. Some birds lay their eggs in other birds nests
16. If a bird is carrying feed/nesting material, it usually means it is nesting in the area
17. While some birds have stunning and varied colors, others are plain
18. Male birds are more attractively colored than females in most species
19. Many birds change colors and grow extra feathers while breeding
20. A young bird many a time looks different from the adult
21. While many sexes look alike, many do not!
22. Some birds do not move much, while others rarely stop moving
23. Birds are more active and more vocal during their breeding season
24. Migratory birds obviously, can been seen only during a part of the year
25. Many birds fly out to feed and roost back at the same place day after day
26. Many birds are nocturnal
27. While some birds can be identified easily, in many, every small detail is necessary
28. Bird food is varied. Insects, seeds, fruits, & berries, parts of flower & nectar, rodents, reptiles, fish and other aquatic insects, scropians & snakes, dead animals…and other birds! (I am sure to have missed something here

So, how does one begin to photograph these birds?

First learn the basics of Single Lens Reflex Cameras here http://www.nikon.co.jp/main/eng/photo_world/kumon/index.htm

Well then, all you need to do is get the bird in sharp focus, at eye level, in good day light & let the right amount of light from the bird hit your film. Of course it helps if the bird is in an upright position looking into your camera.

If you want the best of the images, you must have the best of the equipment that technology offers.When you are after birds that are moving and are about 6 cms in size, you need at least a Nikkor 600 mm Tele with a fast camera like the Nikon F5. This combination offers the best possibilities for Bird Photography. Moose’s camera bag is an ideal set of equipment a serious bird photographer must have. F5 or D1 does not matter http://www.moose395.net/gear/index.html

The internet offers most of the information that you may need to get started. Naturephotographers.net is a great forum to learn and exchange nature photography related information.http://www.naturephotographers.net

Learn Basics of bird photography with Bill Hornhttp://www.birdsofoklahoma.net/BirdPhotoBasics.htm

There is now a new and less expensive way to get at the Birds. This is called DIGISCOPING. You can learn about all this from Ann Cook http://www.shortcourses.com/how/digiscoping/digiscoping.htm

Some points from my experience in the field…

1. If you want to photograph birds, you must be out there with the birds!
2. If you want the best, A Nikon F5 with a 600 mm Tele is a musthttp://www.nikon.com
3. Shoot Slide Film. Fuji, Provia 100 F or 400 F is ideal. http://home.fujifilm.com/
4. To shoot birds, sunlight is best. Flash only if you must.
5. You must be between the sun & the bird & your camera must be at exact eye level to the bird
6. Get as close as possible without disturbing the bird
7. Remember, the catch light & the color of the iris makes the image
8. Strictly, no hand held shots, use the best tripod http://www.gitzo.com
9. The tripod head is very important http://www.rdrop.com/~dbp/equipment/b1.html
10. The depth of field must be minimum to avoid background noise but enough to get the whole bird
11. Watch the background, shade behind the bird means a black background
12. Faster shutter speed, with larger aperture works well for small moving birds
13. Never alter anything natural, you will end up spoiling everything
14. No image is worth sacrificing the welfare of the subject – Says MOOSE. I totally agree.
15. Use a hide/blind, very useful http://www.rue.com/
16. Shoot from your car, you will be surprised how close you can get to a bird this way.

Remember this is a patience game. No fast results possible. You may spend any number of hours in a hide/blind and not get one good image. However, always be ready, you may get a great image just by chance! The important thing however is to be out there with the birds!

Now that you have got great images, what next?

You will need a PC with multimedia and a good internet connection. You will need a scanner http://www.sphoto.com/techinfo/ls2000.html

Good Luck & Happy Shooting! I do believe one will begin to care for something that brings one joy! Finally, do remember to follow your passion! Believe me, I am a much happier man today!

“Fly with your Passion”! - Bird Photography - Vijay Cavale,

September, 2001