Bird Shooting Advice Needed: Choosing A Location

[NikonUser]

Hi there,

I'm just wondering if some of the more experienced bird shooters out there could offer me some advice.

When you go out and find a location with plenty of birds out and about... what do you look for when deciding where to situate yourself/camera?

In particular what do you look for in a good 'perch' for the birds? All of my bird shots seem to suffer from bad backgrounds... not nessesarily cluttered... just not smooth and silky like the more professional shots.

Also if anyone has any good bird shooting locations south of Melbourne (specifically the Mornington Penninsula) that'd be great too... I'm getting tired of the couple that I frequent.

Paul

[Nicole]

Paul, I live near Mordialloc and there are plenty of places down this way to go. There was bird watchers outing down at Point Nepean recently and they seemed to be pretty successful (I didn’t go but I check out the reports afterwards to get ideas). There is also Moorooduc Quarry and The Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve. Edithvale Wetlands has a bird hide and is great for getting up close. I always like popping down there. There is Balbirooroo Wetlands and Coolart. It’s been a while since I’ve been to Coolart but it was great and they have some bird hides (although some have tinted windows). I would like to take a trip to French island as that is supposed to be good. Probably also worth a visit to Cranbourne Botanic Gardens. I think you’ve been to Briars.

That should keep you busy hopefully.

[NikonUser]

Thanks Nicole,

Will check out some of those locations for sure. I was hoping to get out tomorrow but looking out the window at the moment...ouch.

For the last three months when I've actually had time to go out and shoot the weather turns to crap. someone out there doesn't like me! I haven't had a good days shooting in a very long time. Very dissapointing.

Anyone know what this weeks upcomming lottery numbers are going to be so I can quit my job?

Paul

[kipper]

When you go out and find a location with plenty of birds out and about... what do you look for when deciding where to situate yourself/camera?

First off you need to observe the bird, see where it likes to feed or where it likes to perch. Watch where it regularly returns to, no point placing yourself somewhere if the bird isn't going to fly there.

Once you've established that, establish if the perch is in a good direction in relation to the sun. Determine whether it'll be best photographed at first or last light.

In particular what do you look for in a good 'perch' for the birds? All of my bird shots seem to suffer from bad backgrounds... not nessesarily cluttered... just not smooth and silky like the more professional shots.

Look for a perch that will is clear from any distracting backgrounds (eg. vertical, horizontal, diagonal lines or backgrounds that are too close to the perch that they'll be rendered in focus). If that fails, setup a natural perch near where the bird regularly perches with a background that appeals to you and it might take to your perch.

Also if anyone has any good bird shooting locations south of Melbourne (specifically the Mornington Penninsula) that'd be great too... I'm getting tired of the couple that I frequent.

There is Coolart Wetlands (haven't been there), Mooroduc Quary (golden whistlers, fairy wrens, pardalottes, thornbills and possibly even fantail cuckoos and peregrine falcons but I haven't seen those last two yet), also as Nicole mentioned there is Langwarren Flora and Fauna reserve.


Paul, something that I recall with some of your photos is the lighting didn't look the best and also it looked like the birds were photographed under heavy canopy. I used to do this, but I'm refraining from doing so now as I find the shots usually come out really not how I'd like them as they're usually noisey and the backgrounds are quite dark. Best to capture the birds when they're open and being hit by sunlight. And if they're the type of bird that hardly comes out into decent light then artificial light might be the way to go (some photographers take flood lights into forests).

[NikonUser]

Determine whether it'll be best photographed at first or last light.

What factors determine this? I don't generally have the luxury of choosing when I go out shooting... This usually means horrible harsh light. Hopefully with daylight savings now I'll be able to get some time after work.

Is it possible to use fill-flash during the day and get good results? Or is the only option really around sunrise/sunset?

also it looked like the birds were photographed under heavy canopy

That's usually true. Will try to avoid that next time I go out and see how I go. I'm not sure about floodlights in the forest.... sounds a little heavy

I just looked up the Mooroduc Quarry and it looks quite interesting. I'll go there on my next (non-rainy) day off. Hopefully I can stop at the Langwarrin Flora and Fauna reserve on my way home from work later in the week.

Thanks for the suggestions

Paul

[kipper]

During the day can work in wooded areas as long as the is enough light coming breaking through the tree canopies. Just don't shoot up into the canopies

If it's dark and you use flash it doesn't become fill anymore, it becomes the main light source.

[Geoff]

Lady Jane Beach near South Head is great for Bird Shooting, or most other beaches

[Nicole]

Lady Jane Beach near South Head is great for Bird Shooting, or most other beaches

I bought a book a couple of months back which was a good read and very helpful. It's "The Art of Bird Photography" by Arthur Morris. He's a bit of a legend when it comes to bird photography. Definitely worthwhile looking at. I'm sure if you do a search on bird photography tips on Google you would probably also find some useful bits of info.

[kipper]

If you order it from Amazon it only costs like $40 to have shipped to your door. Unlike Dymocks that will charge you about $70 to have shipped.

[NikonUser]

ordered

[avkomp]

like what kipper and nicole said.

the art of bird photography is worth having as you will find out.
Is about film/slide days but the info is still very sound.

If you get into it more, you will want a field guide (or 2 or 3 or 4 or...)
so that you can identify what you shoot. Seems to add to the enjoyment knowing a little more.

Be prepared to spend the time also. it wont be enough to just go out with a good camera and get good shots. Sometimes it may take ages to get the shot you want.

As kipper said though, learning about the habits of your quarry will surely help you.

Steve

[NikonUser]

It's certainly something I really want to 'get in to'

I already have a field guide. Michael Morcombe's Field Guide To Australian Birds. Pretty big to carry around but I mainly use it once I get home.

Hopefully the book will be here before Christmas (takes a while with 'standard' shipping!)

Time is certainly something I'm MORE than willing to invest.... work has other ideas though. I do what I can.

I've been doing some research on the net about the birdies habits. Nothing like 'in the field' experience though.

Paul

[avkomp]

I went in to look at a few field guides and couldnt decide which I like best so I finished up with 4. all had their relative merits. one was a photographic guide which sometimes makes things easier.

I hardly ever take it in the field though. I usually just fire off an id shot of something new and figure it out later, or get a firm picture in the head.

the morecome guide is one of the ones I have. I am a bit of a bower bird when it comes to books. have em everywhere here

Steve

[kipper]

I usually just carry it in the car so I can ID when I come back. I now try and remember distinguishing features of the bird.

[cameraguy21773]

Arthur Morris is my favorite bird photographer (and I forgive him for being a Canon guy). He has several books out, the best, from a tutorial aspect, is the one being mentioned, "The Art of Bird Photography". Also check out his website, birdsasart.com.