Backyard Birding

Found a lot of the tips from this vid to be very useful,

How to Photograph Birds with Any Camera using a Hunting Blind and Bird Calls - YouTube

I'm slowly getting into birding and have begun creating a birding spot in my backyard. Unfortunately, I have a small yard, no view and a chain link fence. Thinking forward I planted a bunch of Blue Princess Holly to create a backdrop (in about 5 years it should cover the fence). This holly also produces berries which the bird eat in the winter. I set up a feeding area, bath and made a temporary backdrop for when I'm shooting (I'm too impatient for the holly ).

I picked up the blind a few days ago, works great and folds into a small disc. I'm getting within about 15 feet of the birds now. I do need a new lens (of course), 200mm works, but I'm still cropping more than I would like.

Here's some shots of my progress so far,









Some results from today,

With bokeh like that, who needs a backdrop?...

That's awesome!! Are you planning to take it out in the wild this summer? I found an Osprey nest near Pompey's Pillar Nat. Monument just east of here and am waiting for it to warm up enough to attempt a day or two of watching. I'm thinking something like this would be perfect. I'd imagine that Cabela's here in Billings would have something like this. Where did you get your blind?

Blacktop said:

With bokeh like that, who needs a backdrop?...

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The second shot is using a 1/2 sheet of plywood I painted

Dave_W said:

That's awesome!! Are you planning to take it out in the wild this summer? I found an Osprey nest near Pompey's Pillar Nat. Monument just east of here and am waiting for it to warm up enough to attempt a day or two of watching. I'm thinking something like this would be perfect. I'd imagine that Cabela's here in Billings would have something like this. Where did you get your blind?

Click to expand...

I picked it up at Dicks sporting goods, on sale now for $69. Link below,

Ameristep Doghouse Ground Blind - Dick's Sporting Goods

I will take it with me camping, it folds to a flat disk in seconds and smaller with a couple more folds. I was amazed that after about 10 minutes, the birds were out like I wasn't even there!

That's great Rick! Would you feel comfortable with your gear if it started to rain? I'm just curious about the construction and waterproofing.

PapaST said:

That's great Rick! Would you feel comfortable with your gear if it started to rain? I'm just curious about the construction and waterproofing.

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I think it would be fine in a light shower. For extended use with rain forecast, I'd throw a light tarp on top. It also comes with 2 small fiberglass poles to peak the roof, but I didn't need to do that (would help in rain obviously). It is well constructed, I was pleasantly surprised when I opened it. It also comes with stakes to secure it, no floor for silence.

Not a bad little set up you got that is fairly inexpensive and so far it looks like you are getting close enough for some pretty good shots.

I have been working on my yard for the last couple of years to bring in the birds also.

Good luck an looking forward to some more of your pics.

Another example with the background, unfortunately getting late so the lighting is bad. This was from the kitchen window so a huge crop, just gotta get that peanut!

Very cool, Rick. We're extremely fortunate where we are. It's not a large yard (1/2 acre total space), but we're backed to a field, so the backdrop isn't required. The lack of neighbor activity also helps keep them in the yard once we get them. Over the 20 years we've been here we've fostered a sense of trust with the critters so that they don't seem to spook as easily, even when I stand up to shoot. That said, we installed a "family-sized blind" last year (pardon the iPhone shot thru the screen). Works great for those hummingbirds.



The "bokeh board" is a great idea, btw. I think you need to patent it.

Some more results, all shot with the D600 and 70-200 f4. I'm at about 16 ft away, looking forward to the V2 and f1 adapter to give me a 540mm FoV with the 70-200. Will be interesting to compare results.

A few more,

An amazing thread. Such great photos. Rick, thank you so much for showing us.

Your setup looks awesome Rick. Thanks for sharing this info.

The board is an awesome idea, Rick!

Nice - but you need to be careful with those shadows on your bokeh-board.

BackdoorHippie said:

Nice - but you need to be careful with those shadows on your bokeh-board.

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Yes! Actually It's kinda neat when it is in all shade, totally different look!

The shot with the two birds on my "posing Branch" is also in front of the chain link fence. A branch broke off the tree in the back, so I attached it to the fence with a bungee cord to create another background. Will be interesting as the leaves die and change color.