M72_5269
Nov, 2017Views
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Top 20 rank week 1Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This was taken from my family room window. I feed the birds every morning by simply putting feed on my deck railings. The birds come within seconds, especially this woodpecker. If I'm still outside he talks/yells at me but will still land to get his breakfast. I feed them everyday and take pictures depending on the lighting a few times a week (the feeding only lasts for 15 minutes before the squirrels take over) so I'm done and ready for work after taking a bunch of shots. Photographing this guy and the other birds that come have taught me much about their quirks and habits and it's pretty cool that they get used to me enough after a few weeks to let me stand close by and take pictures.Time
This was taken in winter in the morning around the time I have my coffee. In the colder months I put bird see out on the railings and let them come. This was taken after I went back in the house, through the window but as the weeks pass, the birds will actually let me stand 5 feet away and they still come.Lighting
I actually like the overcast days better for pictures of the birds and squirrels eating from my deck as it allows for all the detail with fewer shadows. there are trees behind the deck and in the winter without leaves they make a nice brown backdrop.Equipment
I used nikon d7200 with a tamron 200-500 lens. I literally leave that camera with that lens on my coffee table most of winter so I can grab it if the birds are doing something different or the weather is different (snow for example). No tripod, no flash.Inspiration
I love my woodpeckers! By feeding them so close to the house and the windows I have learned some of the personalities and habits of the birds. I know where they wait for me, how and where they will swoop in from and which ones will wait until I go back in the house. the two woodpeckers that come are my favorites and they don't stay long so I like to try and capture their short visits. As you can see, they always go for the carrots in the bird trail mix that I put out each day and then come back for the walnuts. I do set goals for taking pics of all the birds that feed at my little diner, for instance this year I really worked on getting them in flight toward the food (literally a few second event each morning).Editing
I typically do not post process. If I do anything it is an adjustment to lighting.In my camera bag
D7200, D750 bodies. 200-500 lens. 18-300 lens. 50 mm lens and a few extra batteries. I used to drag all kinds of lenses around and flash, etc. and have really found that if I make a lens decision up front (checking the weather) and knowing what I'm after, I'd rather travel lite. Lately I take a camera on each shoulder and throw a batter in my purse.Feedback
Watch birds for a few days and learn a little about their habits. Makes it easy to be ready to capture the very quick land, grab and go. If you have a place to feed them you can entice them to visit. I also found that in general if I put food out in the morning and it's gone, I do not get them back in the afternoon with more food. They come at the same time every day. At my house the cardinals, blue jays, woodpeckers and a few others assemble in the trees right in front of the deck to let me know they are ready for breakfast. If you miss them one day, they will be back the next.
