For Peter2516, my backyard "studio" setup

I have been conversing with Peter2516 about lenses, picture quality and the need to draw the quarry in close. He wanted to see how I had my deck set up for birds and getting them close to the lens so instead of just sharing it with him I thought I would share it with all in case there were others interested. It was be no means the ultimate or only way to obtain great pictures but it seemed to work for me.

My deck had a railing with a 1x6 laid flat along the top which worked perfectly for laying and spreading seeds directly on it. There were also some flower boxes attached to the outside of the railing. These worked great for setting the driftwood perches on or being able to stick branches into the flower box dirt to act as perches. The birds woould almost always stage themselves in the woods across the pool, fly down and lite on one of the perches then hop down to the railing to get a seed then either fly off of hoop back up to the perch to peck on it creating ample time for lots of shots. To remain hidden so I could get within 6 to 8 feet of the birds I purchased an "outhouse" portable camo tent and tacked it directly to the deck flooring. Added a chair and my tri-pod and I was all set except for some birds. I did use a piece of camo cloth netting to stuff around my lens when it was sticking thru the tent windows which prohibited the birds from seeing me inside the tent yet allowed my to see thru the netting. I could slip out my back door, slide into the tent and sit comfortably for a couple of hours even in the cold winter weather. The wife drew the line with running some duct hose with a small fan to heat the tent for some reason.

All that was needed was some birds so I spread some shelled peanuts and sunflower seeds on the railing and waited but it didn't take too long for them to start showing up. I was truely amazed at the variety of birds that began to arrive as I had no idea those breeds were anywhere near me in all the years I lived there prior to getting into photography.

ps: I had no hanging type feeders period. I would spread seeds on the railing in the morning, in the afternoon and again late in the evening. Therefor, if they wanted something to eat they simply had to come to the perches and submit to the clicking noises.

trmwf wrote in post #16493047
I have been conversing with Peter2516 about lenses, picture quality and the need to draw the quarry in close. He wanted to see how I had my deck set up for birds and getting them close to the lens so instead of just sharing it with him I thought I would share it with all in case there were others interested. It was be no means the ultimate or only way to obtain great pictures but it seemed to work for me.

My deck had a railing with a 1x6 laid flat along the top which worked perfectly for laying and spreading seeds directly on it. There were also some flower boxes attached to the outside of the railing. These worked great for setting the driftwood perches on or being able to stick branches into the flower box dirt to act as perches. The birds woould almost always stage themselves in the woods across the pool, fly down and lite on one of the perches then hop down to the railing to get a seed then either fly off of hoop back up to the perch to peck on it creating ample time for lots of shots. To remain hidden so I could get within 6 to 8 feet of the birds I purchased an "outhouse" portable camo tent and tacked it directly to the deck flooring. Added a chair and my tri-pod and I was all set except for some birds. I did use a piece of camo cloth netting to stuff around my lens when it was sticking thru the tent windows which prohibited the birds from seeing me inside the tent yet allowed my to see thru the netting. I could slip out my back door, slide into the tent and sit comfortably for a couple of hours even in the cold winter weather. The wife drew the line with running some duct hose with a small fan to heat the tent for some reason.

All that was needed was some birds so I spread some shelled peanuts and sunflower seeds on the railing and waited but it didn't take too long for them to start showing up. I was truely amazed at the variety of birds that began to arrive as I had no idea those breeds were anywhere near me in all the years I lived there prior to getting into photography.

ps: I had no hanging type feeders period. I would spread seeds on the railing in the morning, in the afternoon and again late in the evening. Therefor, if they wanted something to eat they simply had to come to the perches and submit to the clicking noises.

Looks similar to mine

Great set up Mike, now I need to talk the apartment managers to build a deck and allow me to set up a blind and such.

Glad to know I'm not the only one who freaks out the neighbors. ha, ha.

Great setup!

When I lived in Southern Illinois, I was blessed to have 2.5 acres of mature hardwoods with a small creek running through it, and some blowdowns. I set up a pop-up blind near a blowdown and put out feeders and suet. When the weather wouldn't allow me to do anything else, I'd get a big thermos of coffee and go sit in the blind for hours. What a great way to spend an afternoon.

That is one awesome set up Mike definitely looking forward to do just that. Wow that is really awesome.

Thank you very much Mike. This is something I can copy as my set up too. I have a very good size of deck and already have a camo blind bought a year ago. I am excited and thank you for showing your set up I appreciate it.

I will start building mine and post a picture here too. The flower boxes is a great idea for sticking perches and also able to move them instead of nailing them in the rails. I will have to go down to the marina and pick up some nice looking wood for perch. Thanks Mike.

This is a nice set-up you have in your backyard. I think my neighbors would think I've gone totally bonkers if they saw this in my yard...lol.

Do you have problems with rats or mice having the seed so close to the house. I did and had to move the main bird feeder towards the backside of my property.

hahah. Nice setup.
Its similar to what I have considered many times.
I just havent pulled the trigger to go modify my yard.
I just go hike and shoot what I see. LOL

Ted,, nothing to it is there.

2n10, you can always go toa local park, take a small piece of plywood (2'x2') mounted to the top of a sharpened 2x4 piece and drive it in the ground. Sprinkle on some seeds now and then and they will get used to seeing it. Then take your portable blind and have a pleasant morning or evening. You will find that people will leave your food tray alone because they will think it is park property.

Limbwalker, this didn't bother them as much as me walking around in the woods behind our houses in a full gehle suit. Cops came once to check out a bigfoot sighting. Now that was fun!

Your welcome Peter, we'll be waiting for those pics.

Duane, it didn't really bother the neighbors as they knew what I was up too. No problem with the vermon except the chipmonk population started to rise so had to take effective measures against that. A camera lens is not the only thing that you can stick out the blind openings.

Jeremy, nothing wrong with a walk in the woods is there.

Great idea Mike

Wow!
That is one amazing setup. It makes me feel pretty primitive by comparison.
Most of my pictures come from walks in the woods.
I may change my name to Neanderthal Man.

trmwf wrote in post #16493752
Ted,, nothing to it is there.

2n10, you can always go toa local park, take a small piece of plywood (2'x2') mounted to the top of a sharpened 2x4 piece and drive it in the ground. Sprinkle on some seeds now and then and they will get used to seeing it. Then take your portable blind and have a pleasant morning or evening. You will find that people will leave your food tray alone because they will think it is park property.

Limbwalker, this didn't bother them as much as me walking around in the woods behind our houses in a full gehle suit. Cops came once to check out a bigfoot sighting. Now that was fun!

Your welcome Peter, we'll be waiting for those pics.

Duane, it didn't really bother the neighbors as they knew what I was up too. No problem with the vermon except the chipmonk population started to rise so had to take effective measures against that. A camera lens is not the only thing that you can stick out the blind openings.

Jeremy, nothing wrong with a walk in the woods is there.

Big foot Lol to funny. All my neighbours think I'm nut's always hiding in the bushes lol But the cops have never shown up!! to funny

Well, my neighbors know what to expect from me, and I'm a die-hard traditional bowhunter too, so they would probably rather see me taking photographs than shooting my bow. LOL. But a bigfoot sighting? that's hilarious.

Glad there are those out there who don't care what their neighbors think, and just have fun anyway.

I will admit that hours spent in a good blind in the yard with feeders nearby can be some of the most relaxing hours you will spend all week. It's great therapy.