Bird Photography Tips (Specifically Heron)

[scott_hotaling]

I'd like to hear some tips on how to get close to Heron (Great Blue

specifically, not that it matters), I've been out several times lately and just

can't seem to get quite close enough to fill the frame.

 

So, whats the best technique? Or just some tips you folks use to get some of the

beautiful images I routinely see on this site.

 

I know I'm at a predetermined disadvantage, I only have a 300mm lens and its not

fast enough for any extenders to be feasible. But I'm only a student and can't

afford the good stuff so I want to make the best of what I have.

 

Thanks for any tips/information...

 

- Scott

[User_1172872]

Location, location, location. For example, along the gulf coast from Texas to Florida, herons and egrets become very acclimated to humans - especially if a fisherman is in the habit of tossing them something edible now and then.

[scott_hotaling]

Wow. That would be the place to go unfortunately I'm in school in NC so its not an immediate but thanks for the tip, if I'm ever that way I'm definitely going to check it out.

<p>

- Scott

<p>

<a href="http://www.scotthotalingphoto.com/">http://www.scotthotalingphoto.com/</a>

[stemked]

Scott,

 

If there are abundant birds in the area you can always use a blind. You don't have to have one/make one that is overly fancy. Frankly my best Heron shots have either been in Florida (and I too used to live in NC) or at odd times when a given heron just seemed to not care how close I got. You might find you have better luck on the coast in NC; I got to within 20 feet of a Little blue out there. In Indiana I once was walking with my daughter and came aross a Green Heron that let me get within 5 feet of the bird and I got some great images. Dumb luck pays off sometimes, best to be prepared.

[heatherforcier]

As has been said, it's likely some of the heron shots you're seeing that you like were taken in areas where the birds are acclimated to human presence. This doesn't mean you can't get your photos locally, though. If you watch for the bird's behavior and know where likes to spend its time, get there early and try to stay obscured from view. A blind would be helpful - a throw blind like Kwik Camo is very portable. If you don't have one, try to stay in vegetation and stay as quiet and still as possible. As the heron wades around, it may end up close enough for you to get some good shots.

 

Good luck!

[greg s]

Locally here in Oregon we have a NWR that allows cars to drive through. It is quite easy to photograph herons from inside the vehicle using the edge of the window for support. Again, the birds are used to the presence of people in the cars and stay put.

 

This was taken from inside the vehicle at Ridgefield NWR.

 

http://www.photo.net/photo/1942197

 

Cheers and good luck, -Greg-

[Two23]

These birds are somewhat predictible and territorial. They generally seem to have a favorite spot. Go to Walmart and buy some grass pattern duckhunting camo--comes in 6x8 ft. sections I think. The synthetic fiber kind is best--the burlap gets moldy when wet. Make a simple "V" shaped blind in grassy cover near where the bird hangs out. You can even put a plastic tarp down, lie down on it, and cover yourself with the camo. If you go out in the morning dark it will increase your chances.

 

 

Kent in SD

[alex_lofquist]

Where are you located? I routinely get photos of GBHs in some of the nearby wetlands west of Chicago. The birds are skittish, but can be approached if you are careful. It took a couple years before I was able to get good photos of them. A 300mm is a bit short for full-frame photos unless you are in a blind. As they usually nest about 70-80 feet off the ground, you would probably need at least a 500mm for those type of shots. There are some bargains in used equipment that might serve your purpose.

[alex_lofquist]

Sorry, I missed seeing that you are in NC.

[roger mitchell]

Scott, I'm no expert, and there are a number of outstanding bird photographers on this forum, so I can only pass along what I've learned. We have many, many GBH here in NW Wash. State but many of them are in farm fields, along the ditches, in the open. Watch how herons stalk their prey - they move very, very slowly. You do the same with no sudden movements. Don't suddenly move your camera/long lens to your eye and they will tolerate you getting fairly close (20 feet). The 300mm will be frustrating but you can get good shots and a tripod will help a lot.

[mbb]

Scott, wear dark clothes, avoid places with people around (it was even published that many species/individuals are much easier to approach close in secluded places than those who are used to many people around, I have the same experience), go shoot by yourself only (nobody like to be cornered especially from a few different angles), move slowly and keep getting closer only when bird is busy, never when alerted. Keep shooting when approaching. All below are full frames (no cropping)

<p style="text-align:center"><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/4396710-lg.jpg" /></p>

<p style="text-align:center"><img src="www.pbase.com/image/66104295/original.jpg" /></p>

Here I had to take 1.4X TC off and back off a few feet to have this frame.:

<p style="text-align:center"><img src="www.pbase.com/image/66104298/original.jpg" /></p>

Good luck.

[mbb]

Links seems to have problems

 

http://www.pbase.com/mbb/image/66104295

 

Here I had to take 1.4X TC off and back off a few feet to have this frame.:

 

http://www.pbase.com/mbb/image/66104298

[wagner]

http://www.wagnerphotographic.com/galleries/Birds/pages/1Great_Blue_8_12.htm

 

http://www.wagnerphotographic.com/galleries/Birds/pages/1Great_Blue_7181%20copy.htm

 

http://www.wagnerphotographic.com/galleries/Birds/pages/2Great_Blue_5896.htm

 

http://www.wagnerphotographic.com/galleries/Birds/pages/4Great_Blue_5869.htm

 

Go where both the people and birds go and you'll get the most tolerant birds. Some good places in our neck of the woods. Also, if you want to shoot for a day sometime, rent a lens from Southeastern Camera and get the shots you want.

[pjmeade]

On the Thames, in the UK, you just never get close to them. The nearest I've got is about 150-200 yds. It's a real pain.<div></div>

[larry h.]

Mark Bartosik--What is the GBH in your pbase shots eating? Is that an eel?

[alex_lofquist]

It appears to be a Siren.

[beauh44]

I don't mean to hijack the thread but I have a question I'd like to crowbar in that's sort of related. I'm tentatively planning a trip to central Florida soon and would like to bring along my Canon 500mm f/4L IS "bazooka" lens. My concern is the flight (from Va). I certainly don't want to check that thing and risk it ending up in Katmandu or someone else's lens collection. How do you bird guys (and girls!) deal with flying with that "heavy artillery"? I still have Canon's rather bulky case - which does seem to offer great protection - but bringing *that* on the plane along with my other gear seems rather problematic. (I really don't want to check anything - but that doesn't seem realistic) Any tips and/or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Roger G]

Hi and this is mostly in response to Beau Hooker's question. You should be able to carry the 500mm onto the airplane, I have done so many times usually in the Lowepro PhotoTrekker. I would not want to check it, as a last resort I would UPS it to my hotel.

I live in Central Florida and there are many good locations for bird photography, and imaging wading birds especially, almost any fishing pier or beaches such as Ponce Inlet, Canaveral National Seashore, Merritt Island NWR, as well as Orlando locations like Mead Gardens should work.

Good luck and have fun.

Roger.

[diy photography]

To beat a dead horse to death. Do some research on floating blinds. You can get incredibly

close to almost all types of water fowl. GBH included

 

God's light to all

 

Chris

[beauh44]

Thanks Roger!

[robert_g.1]

Scott , yes Herons can be hard to approach , as most are around where I live ,Northern Ontario , The easiest way for me if possible is shooting from a car , and a tip with wild animals in general is , as long as the car is moving they stay put , but if it stops and they are watching then they get nerveous. So moving slowly is best Ive found , but someone else driving makes it alot easier . Another tip is hide your camera , it seems to be the thing that mostly scares them , especailly if its a big white lens , I just put a dark sweater over it and it does make a difference.

Some times if a bird flys away on you , it only goes a short distance , the last one I shot I followed along the coast of Lake superior , and by foot , I would appoach it ,(not directly ,but on an angle) it would fly , I kept following it , and eventually I was able to get quite close , after maybe 5 approaches , some times they just fly far , SOL!

Green Herons often if approached slowly , no sudden moves , they will get used to you being around , and it can be a field day .

 

I shot some last year over a period of a few weeks , they got so acustom to me at one point I thought one was going to jump on my knee.

They would approach me to within 1 foot . Truly wild birds , when fishing they get so preocupied . I managed hundreds of close ups . Have not seen one this year. SOL!

[kin_lau]

For Beau... try packing a starter's pistol in your lens case and checking it http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2006/09/expensive_camer.html .

[mark_chappell]

<I> I'm tentatively planning a trip to central Florida soon and would like to bring along my

Canon 500mm f/4L IS "bazooka" lens. My concern is the flight (from Va). I certainly don't

want to check that thing and risk it ending up in Katmandu or someone else's lens

collection. How do you bird guys (and girls!) deal with flying with that "heavy artillery"?

</i><P>

 

Exactly as Roger G says: get a PhotoTrekker or equivalent bag. I have flown many times

with the 500 IS in a PhotoTrekker and never had any trouble: it even fits (barely) into the

smallish overhead bins on current 'regional' aircraft like the Canadair Regional Jet series

(came back yesterday from such a trip). On <B>really</b> small commuter planes you

may have to hand the bag over at the foot of the stairs, but it won't go through the

standard bag mangling process for regular checked bags.<P>

 

A typical load in in my PhotoTrekker is the 500 IS with mounted 1DII body, 30D,

100-400, 17-40, 100 macro, 1.4X and 2X extenders, and 550 flash. The smaller lenses

have their hoods packed in checked baggage to save space and the 100-400 also has its

tripod ring removed. A bit of additional space is saved by substituting the well-known

Corningware plastic cover for the bulky 'lens condom' lenscap Canon provides. Heavy, but

it's got all the fragile/valuable photo stuff I usually carry on trips.

[larry h.]

Alex, thanks for the info. I've never seen a siren. I didn't know they got that big. My guide book say they reach almost a meter long. Amphiumas can get even bigger.

 

I originally guessed a large salamander because of the head and gills, but like I said, I'd never seen a siren and didn't think they could be so long. Good call.