Re: Birding pictures in your back yard.
Our oldest cat, Norman, doe all of the mousing etc, but will leave both the mothe grey squirrel that hangs aound the yard. She is the one that was a paw last year that will feed out of our hand. Dave On 5/25/07, Dave Kennedy [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Speaking of squirrels... Our dog has great fun chasing the squirrels. He's normally in the house, but when we see them at the feeder, a whisper to the dog, and he's ready at the door. Open it a crack and he's bolted after the squirrel. The squirrel usually makes it up the nearest tree and chatters away at him. On occasion, he's at the feeder before the squirrel sees anything and then it's a really interesting dance between the 2. most amusing. :) I've been thinking about setting up a place for photographing the birds for a while, I don't like bird feeder shots. My wife likes the feeder nice close to the house, but that's not conducive to getting the shots I want. On 5/24/07, Christian [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The slingshot is at the ready by the back door for the frigging squirrels. My accuracy has improved in a short period (damn squirrel proof bird feeders don't work!). It's one shot, one kill these days (no actual killing, just a good scare). -- http://www.pbase.com/davekennedy Ottawa Valley, Ontario, Canada Go Sens Go! -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net -- Equine Photography www.caughtinmotion.com http://brooksinthecountry.blogspot.com/ Ontario Canada -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Birding pictures in your back yard.
Speaking of squirrels... Our dog has great fun chasing the squirrels. He's normally in the house, but when we see them at the feeder, a whisper to the dog, and he's ready at the door. Open it a crack and he's bolted after the squirrel. The squirrel usually makes it up the nearest tree and chatters away at him. On occasion, he's at the feeder before the squirrel sees anything and then it's a really interesting dance between the 2. most amusing. :) I've been thinking about setting up a place for photographing the birds for a while, I don't like bird feeder shots. My wife likes the feeder nice close to the house, but that's not conducive to getting the shots I want. On 5/24/07, Christian [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The slingshot is at the ready by the back door for the frigging squirrels. My accuracy has improved in a short period (damn squirrel proof bird feeders don't work!). It's one shot, one kill these days (no actual killing, just a good scare). -- http://www.pbase.com/davekennedy Ottawa Valley, Ontario, Canada Go Sens Go! -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Birding pictures in your back yard.
My tip: find a Bird Whisperer and follow them around the backyard: http://www.arach.net.au/~savage/GESO/GESO_001/pages/IMGP2131.html ;-) Cheers, Dave On 5/25/07, David J Brooks [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: For those that do a lot of birds. I have a rather big yard, compared to modern subdivision lots, about a tad over a 1/4 acre. Lots of big maple trees along the fences. We have birds come to the feeders in front, but if i try and get them there, i have really bad backdrops, posts, door frames etc. Would birds eventually notice if i move a few feeders to the back into the trees. I moved some the other day, but i don't see any activity. This would lead for what should be better shots, but maybe they are stuck in their ways. We have various coloured finches and had a Cardinal, but he's not been around for a while, and the Blue Jay is back. Lots of grey and black/red squirrels. I sit out back a lot, and wait, but they seem to avoid me. Should i 'camo up or is just sitting still enough. BTW, this is how i get most of my bird shots. http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3755627 Dave -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Birding pictures in your back yard.
David J Brooks wrote: For those that do a lot of birds. you rang? :-) I have a rather big yard, compared to modern subdivision lots, about a tad over a 1/4 acre. Lots of big maple trees along the fences. We have birds come to the feeders in front, but if i try and get them there, i have really bad backdrops, posts, door frames etc. shooting birds at home can be a challenge. Creating perches with better backgrounds or creating a background might help. Maybe hang a greenish painted muslin or something. It's gonna be out of focus anyway and I've heard of people getting good results. Would birds eventually notice if i move a few feeders to the back into the trees. I moved some the other day, but i don't see any activity. This would lead for what should be better shots, but maybe they are stuck in their ways. The term bird-brained wasn't invented by accident. give them time, they'll find the feeders. Try moving them slowly, especially if there are object between the current location and the desired location. We have various coloured finches and had a Cardinal, but he's not been around for a while, and the Blue Jay is back. Lots of grey and black/red squirrels. what are you feeding them? My yard is tiny. I live in a small townhouse and my fenced yard is only like 20 x20 ft. I have my feeders set up on a double shepherd's crook hanger outside the back fence and manage to cram in food and feeders for various types of birds. I have a suet log for woodpeckers, one feeder for sunflowers (cardinals and other big-beaked birds), peanuts for the jays and thistle seed in a mesh tube feeder for the gold finches. And a suet cage for other insect eating birds like catbirds and, unfortunately, starlings. so that I can get the most natural looking pictures, I've set up old branches and twigs as perches near the feeders. The idea is that the birds will land there first, then go eat, then maybe hop back to the perch. I also have a birdbath because all that eating is gonna make you thirsty! The view off my back deck has the feeders to the left, the bird bath on the inside of the fence and the perches to the right of the feeders. There is a grassy slope behind the perches which gives me a nice background. I'm only 25 feet or so to the farthest perch. And the birds don't seem to mind me standing out there in full view. The slingshot is at the ready by the back door for the frigging squirrels. My accuracy has improved in a short period (damn squirrel proof bird feeders don't work!). It's one shot, one kill these days (no actual killing, just a good scare). I sit out back a lot, and wait, but they seem to avoid me. Should i 'camo up or is just sitting still enough. You just need to habituate them to seeing you. You can always use a blind (little tent-style blinds would work the best in a yard). BTW, this is how i get most of my bird shots. http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3755627 Nice! -- Christian http://photography.skofteland.net -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Birding pictures in your back yard.
On 5/24/07, Christian [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: David J Brooks wrote: For those that do a lot of birds. you rang? :-) I have a rather big yard, compared to modern subdivision lots, about a tad over a 1/4 acre. Lots of big maple trees along the fences. We have birds come to the feeders in front, but if i try and get them there, i have really bad backdrops, posts, door frames etc. shooting birds at home can be a challenge. Creating perches with better backgrounds or creating a background might help. Maybe hang a greenish painted muslin or something. It's gonna be out of focus anyway and I've heard of people getting good results. Would birds eventually notice if i move a few feeders to the back into the trees. I moved some the other day, but i don't see any activity. This would lead for what should be better shots, but maybe they are stuck in their ways. The term bird-brained wasn't invented by accident. give them time, they'll find the feeders. Try moving them slowly, especially if there are object between the current location and the desired location. We have various coloured finches and had a Cardinal, but he's not been around for a while, and the Blue Jay is back. Lots of grey and black/red squirrels. what are you feeding them? My yard is tiny. I live in a small townhouse and my fenced yard is only like 20 x20 ft. I have my feeders set up on a double shepherd's crook hanger outside the back fence and manage to cram in food and feeders for various types of birds. I have a suet log for woodpeckers, one feeder for sunflowers (cardinals and other big-beaked birds), peanuts for the jays and thistle seed in a mesh tube feeder for the gold finches. And a suet cage for other insect eating birds like catbirds and, unfortunately, starlings. I have about 150' from the deck to the fence. Liz buys the feed, but its suet and black sunflower and some white looking stuff. so that I can get the most natural looking pictures, I've set up old branches and twigs as perches near the feeders. The idea is that the birds will land there first, then go eat, then maybe hop back to the perch. I also have a birdbath because all that eating is gonna make you thirsty! I have lots of small branches and limbs from wind storm at the back i could use then. The view off my back deck has the feeders to the left, the bird bath on the inside of the fence and the perches to the right of the feeders. There is a grassy slope behind the perches which gives me a nice background. I'm only 25 feet or so to the farthest perch. And the birds don't seem to mind me standing out there in full view. The slingshot is at the ready by the back door for the frigging squirrels. My accuracy has improved in a short period (damn squirrel proof bird feeders don't work!). It's one shot, one kill these days (no actual killing, just a good scare). The last suirrel resistnat feeder was broken with in a 1/2 hour. Good thing Liz works at a pet store. I sit out back a lot, and wait, but they seem to avoid me. Should i 'camo up or is just sitting still enough. You just need to habituate them to seeing you. You can always use a blind (little tent-style blinds would work the best in a yard). BTW, this is how i get most of my bird shots. http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3755627 Nice! Thanks Dave -- Christian http://photography.skofteland.net -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net -- Equine Photography www.caughtinmotion.com http://brooksinthecountry.blogspot.com/ Ontario Canada -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Birding pictures in your back yard.
You might also try drilling several small holes partially into a fallen branch, filling the holes with peanut butter hanging the branch in front of more acceptable background. Various foods, as Christian pointed out will definitely help in getting a variety of birds. Kenneth Waller - Original Message - From: Christian [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Birding pictures in your back yard. David J Brooks wrote: For those that do a lot of birds. you rang? :-) I have a rather big yard, compared to modern subdivision lots, about a tad over a 1/4 acre. Lots of big maple trees along the fences. We have birds come to the feeders in front, but if i try and get them there, i have really bad backdrops, posts, door frames etc. shooting birds at home can be a challenge. Creating perches with better backgrounds or creating a background might help. Maybe hang a greenish painted muslin or something. It's gonna be out of focus anyway and I've heard of people getting good results. Would birds eventually notice if i move a few feeders to the back into the trees. I moved some the other day, but i don't see any activity. This would lead for what should be better shots, but maybe they are stuck in their ways. The term bird-brained wasn't invented by accident. give them time, they'll find the feeders. Try moving them slowly, especially if there are object between the current location and the desired location. We have various coloured finches and had a Cardinal, but he's not been around for a while, and the Blue Jay is back. Lots of grey and black/red squirrels. what are you feeding them? My yard is tiny. I live in a small townhouse and my fenced yard is only like 20 x20 ft. I have my feeders set up on a double shepherd's crook hanger outside the back fence and manage to cram in food and feeders for various types of birds. I have a suet log for woodpeckers, one feeder for sunflowers (cardinals and other big-beaked birds), peanuts for the jays and thistle seed in a mesh tube feeder for the gold finches. And a suet cage for other insect eating birds like catbirds and, unfortunately, starlings. so that I can get the most natural looking pictures, I've set up old branches and twigs as perches near the feeders. The idea is that the birds will land there first, then go eat, then maybe hop back to the perch. I also have a birdbath because all that eating is gonna make you thirsty! The view off my back deck has the feeders to the left, the bird bath on the inside of the fence and the perches to the right of the feeders. There is a grassy slope behind the perches which gives me a nice background. I'm only 25 feet or so to the farthest perch. And the birds don't seem to mind me standing out there in full view. The slingshot is at the ready by the back door for the frigging squirrels. My accuracy has improved in a short period (damn squirrel proof bird feeders don't work!). It's one shot, one kill these days (no actual killing, just a good scare). I sit out back a lot, and wait, but they seem to avoid me. Should i 'camo up or is just sitting still enough. You just need to habituate them to seeing you. You can always use a blind (little tent-style blinds would work the best in a yard). BTW, this is how i get most of my bird shots. http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3755627 Nice! -- Christian http://photography.skofteland.net -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Birding pictures in your back yard.
On 5/24/07, Kenneth Waller [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: You might also try drilling several small holes partially into a fallen branch, filling the holes with peanut butter hanging the branch in front of more acceptable background. Never thought of that. Thanks Dave Various foods, as Christian pointed out will definitely help in getting a variety of birds. Kenneth Waller - Original Message - From: Christian [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Birding pictures in your back yard. David J Brooks wrote: For those that do a lot of birds. you rang? :-) I have a rather big yard, compared to modern subdivision lots, about a tad over a 1/4 acre. Lots of big maple trees along the fences. We have birds come to the feeders in front, but if i try and get them there, i have really bad backdrops, posts, door frames etc. shooting birds at home can be a challenge. Creating perches with better backgrounds or creating a background might help. Maybe hang a greenish painted muslin or something. It's gonna be out of focus anyway and I've heard of people getting good results. Would birds eventually notice if i move a few feeders to the back into the trees. I moved some the other day, but i don't see any activity. This would lead for what should be better shots, but maybe they are stuck in their ways. The term bird-brained wasn't invented by accident. give them time, they'll find the feeders. Try moving them slowly, especially if there are object between the current location and the desired location. We have various coloured finches and had a Cardinal, but he's not been around for a while, and the Blue Jay is back. Lots of grey and black/red squirrels. what are you feeding them? My yard is tiny. I live in a small townhouse and my fenced yard is only like 20 x20 ft. I have my feeders set up on a double shepherd's crook hanger outside the back fence and manage to cram in food and feeders for various types of birds. I have a suet log for woodpeckers, one feeder for sunflowers (cardinals and other big-beaked birds), peanuts for the jays and thistle seed in a mesh tube feeder for the gold finches. And a suet cage for other insect eating birds like catbirds and, unfortunately, starlings. so that I can get the most natural looking pictures, I've set up old branches and twigs as perches near the feeders. The idea is that the birds will land there first, then go eat, then maybe hop back to the perch. I also have a birdbath because all that eating is gonna make you thirsty! The view off my back deck has the feeders to the left, the bird bath on the inside of the fence and the perches to the right of the feeders. There is a grassy slope behind the perches which gives me a nice background. I'm only 25 feet or so to the farthest perch. And the birds don't seem to mind me standing out there in full view. The slingshot is at the ready by the back door for the frigging squirrels. My accuracy has improved in a short period (damn squirrel proof bird feeders don't work!). It's one shot, one kill these days (no actual killing, just a good scare). I sit out back a lot, and wait, but they seem to avoid me. Should i 'camo up or is just sitting still enough. You just need to habituate them to seeing you. You can always use a blind (little tent-style blinds would work the best in a yard). BTW, this is how i get most of my bird shots. http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3755627 Nice! -- Christian http://photography.skofteland.net -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net -- Equine Photography www.caughtinmotion.com http://brooksinthecountry.blogspot.com/ Ontario Canada -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
