I've noticed a good percentage of my songbird photos are of them looking back at me. (Not withstanding this one telling me in a little birdy way to "go away!") I'm hoping for something more natural.
Question: what is possible to get a little closer to bird subjects. I'm not looking to buy anything - just technique outside the camera.
The best I have right now is to spend time in the area to let them get used to me an the camera. Watching behavior seems to work (e.g. see which branches they favor, food sources, etc.)
Any good videos on this topic?
One thing that isn't immediately obvious is that some birds are relatively shy in some areas but less shy in others. And I'm not even talking about tame versus non-tame birds. I've noticed the same species in one area come closer and in other areas they are more nervous. Not really sure why. That also depends on the time of year. Some male birds in the spring have an added boost of testosterone that makes them more bold.
Other than that, getting a natural shot where the bird is comfortable is really a matter of time too. Sometimes for some reason, a bird will be extra calm. Maybe that happens 5% of the time...so just keep going out and you'll get them calm eventually.
I have found that just like when birding one needs to move slowly yet deliberately. If you skulk around hiding behind tree trunks or the opposite, make a lot of sudden moves, the bird is more likely to perceive you as a threat. Instead, move like a human that is uninterested in the subject.
Another thing I've noticed since beginning bird photography is the more birds that are present the less any individual worries about people being close. Instead of chasing individuals look for mixed species flocks. To the birds, the more eyes on the lookout, the more they feel comfortable. You can take advantage of this behavior.
The last thing I'll mention is to not discount photographing birds coming to a feeder area. You can post yourself in a good place and wait for the birds to perch away from the feeders, perhaps on a specific branch or bush. In fact, some species are almost impossible to get a good photo of, yet, they'll come to a suet feeder area because all the other birds are a natural attractant. Warblers in migration come to mind as some examples.
Longtime birder, newish photographer. Good luck.
Couldn't get my photo attached fast enough. Here is an example of a bird you can't reliably get a photo of in a purely wild setting. The photo was taken near the feeders at Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary in southern Arinzona.
Thanks for the ideas and encouragement. I'm getting a few good captures, but still not there yet and it seems like I'm mostly just playing the lottery. With landscape and macro photogarphy I can setup the shot. However, these birds are way harder to get what you want them to do!
I did notice that the birds do behave a little differently at times of the year and I wondered if the season (e.g. mating season) altered things a bit. Some days it seems I can hardly find a bird while other days it is much easier. (The redheaded woodpecker below was an accident I don't think I could replicate if I wanted to.)
@Photofan - Very nice photo of the humming bird! I've had a camera around since the film days but just now getting into birding - at least taking photos of birds. The feeder idea works well with humming birds around here and I've been able to take photos of them with a 105mm lens. Woodpeckers ... not so much.
Thanks again - I'll keep playing the lottery!
