Newbie Question

[Steelydad]

I just bought a 70-200 2.8L IS last week, my first high end lens, and I thought I would follow that by putting up a bird feeder, in my backyard, which is surrounded by woods. The best viewing area wll be from a small deck which about 10 feet above the ground. How far from the edge of the deck would you think I could safely put the feeder and still get detailed closeups of our flying friends. I live in Northern Westchester County, NY, and we get a pretty good mix of flying and 4 legged visitors over the course of a year. If I am on the wrong website for this, please redirect. Thanks

[tomd]

I attach my feeder directly to the edge of the deck. This makes it much easier to fill. I also have it on a bracket so it hangs away from the deck, thus the spills and mess drop onto the ground instead of the deck boards. http://www.bird-house-bath.com/deck-rail-hangers-arms.html

[Steelydad]

Thanks, unfortunately, my deck is very small. it is all that remains after construction we did about 10 years ago. one wall of it is sliding glass door, and from the door to the outer longest edge is only about 6 feet and it is perhaps with a length of say 10 feet. Thus if i use a feeder that attaches to the deck, even with an extension off the deck, I would be too close to the birds for them to not be scared away by any movement I would make. I do you think that a 1.4 or 2.0 extension lens would be helpful to me down the road for bird shots?

[tomd]

OK, I understand better now.

[Nighthound]

I would position myself for the best light covering up with a camo cloth drape or a small constructed blind of some type. By placing/mounting natural perches near the feeders you'll get feeder-free shots of the birds as they come and go to the feeders. You can best position these perches to give you nice backgrounds and so that the birds landing to get to the seed will be facing the best light.

My blinds are from about 10 feet to 25 feet depending on which lens I'm using. I haven't used mine in some time but they do the job.