Camouflage used while taking bird photos?

[MajesticMomentsPhoto]

Originally Posted by ScubaDude

The mossy burlap worked ok, but was very confining. So I ordered this blind. I'll keep the burlap for when I want something portable (I was able to just pick my tripod up and carry it when I wanted to move it). Oh, I got some keepers while using it; I posted them in this thread. The bird saw me, but didn't seem threatened.

I own this blind too but I didn't like the large size.

I always try to put it inside the branches of a tree to break up the outline a bit, tried leaving it out a few times but it was either stolen or thrashed by a bear.

[Levina de Ruijter]

Originally Posted by chrisa

This is interesting. I would modify it a little by adding some light weight netting around it and use it in the umbrella orientation.

That IS interesting! I just saw a video tutorial by Dutch wildlife and bird photographer Marco de Paauw in which he shows how to build a hide in Winter, on/in the ice.

The video is in Dutch, but it's all pretty self explanatory... he speaks about how important it is to protect yourself from the icy water by wearing one of those thermo suits, how important it is not only for yourself but your gear as well, to blend in. This is specifically for Winter and he uses a simple white coverall as used by house painters both for himself and his gear that he muddies up a bit as 'nothing is entirely white in nature'... He also talks about knowing/scoping the area so you you know where to build your hide. Plus he warns how ice can be very tricky and you don't want to go through it and find no ground beneath your feet. Etc...

Then he goes on to the actual blind building.
He uses a large umbrella, ties it with some string to a willow branch, cuts out a hole in the ice, sticks the umbrella in it, covers it with a white bed sheet, then puts some reed on it and he is in business.
Very simple really and very effective.

But, since images speak louder than words, here's the video. If you want to skip the intro and the part where he and his gear get dressed for the occasion, skip to the blind building at 2:45 min.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3v2nMI6iWkA

I thought it was very cool... (no pun intended) and I was thinking you could use an umbrella in Summer too, covered with some camo cloth.