As most of my readers should realize by now, photographing wildlife is my passion. However, getting out amongst the animals becomes difficult at certain times of the year, and chasing after wildlife shooting opportunities can become rather expensive at times. But recently I discovered birds. Birds are everywhere, they are great models as they love to naturally pose for you, and, most importantly they provide opportunity to keep your wildlife shooting skills up to par.
I have a good friend (Mike) who has introduced me to photographing birds. He has an exceptional place at his home to shoot, and has some ingenious bird feeders and props staged perfectly to take advantage of the perfect background. Photo set up is fairly simple as we can shoot from his deck and be somewhat protected from inclement weather. Mike is passionate about photographing birds. And, he is very good at it. One of the best things about photographing birds with Mike is, he is a very good photographer, and is more than willing to share his knowledge and skills with anyone wishing to learn about bird photography. Mike is more than willing to provide a critique of any off your images, and in most instances, the shooting skills he emphasizes cross over to photographing other wildlife. He is very patient in helping one improve their shooting skills especially when photographing birds.
It does not take much for one to set up bird photography opportunities at their home location, and thus be able to capture birds right from your back door. In can be simple and relatively inexpensive. Strategically, locate two or three bird feeders taking advantage of good background. Add two or three small bird feeders, add a few props such as dead branches on which the bird can sit and pose for you, and some kind of other old frame work type items, and you have a great shooting site.
Pintail Drake