Bird Photography Technique?

Nice pic ,yea I have a 400 5.6 and 70 -200 f4 L IS and have a Carolina Wren close to house and think I might can get close enough with the 70 -200 .
I will try both and see . She is just making a nest in a flower bed on window sill . The nest will be hiden but I figure I can wait to see the bird land among the red flowers.

Find a place they really like to perch, cover it with superglue. Great photos every time.

I've been out with birding groups, seen some really nice birds and got average photos. I've been out on my own, get some good photos, but then had to figure out what the bird was when I got back. Slow and quiet seems to be the key.

Or, find a favorite perch, point your camera at it right close by and then use a remote release. Got some nice wren photos that way. And without using super glue.

When I get a good one of the wren I will post it .She is just starting to make nest so will get one sooner or later

Why do flash units coupled with a Better Beamer work for birding?
I don't understand how they reach far enough?

Sorry for the hi-jack.

It's like a magnifying glass. If you're shooting @ 400mm (or 500, 600 etc) you'd have to dial in +3 FEC to fill in the shadows that far away...that equals dead batteries! better beamer is used w/ E-TTL @ 50mm zoom w/ 0 FEC. So your not wasting power or waiting on your speedlite to recycle from full power shot.

Actually when using fill flash with BB, I am at least -1EV if not more more.

Littlefield wrote in post #5493390
Would a 70 -200 f4 IS not be better then a 400 5.6 for small birds since the min focus distance is less if you are closer to the birds? I mean without ext tubes on the 400 5. 6.

This is a small bird at 700mm with 30d. And I had to crop some. Forget 200mm. Most folks use 600mm with 1.4xTC and extension tubes to get those warblers.

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Extension tubes? For birding?!!

I don't think so....

20droger wrote in post #5502403
Extension tubes? For birding?!!

I don't think so....

And why not? Birders with the long lenses, like the 500 f/4, use extension tubes so they can get closer to the birds with their lenses. If I were going to question anything, it' would be the "most folks use the 600mm" part.

PacAce wrote in post #5503659
... If I were going to question anything, it' would be the "most folks use the 600mm" part.

They do ... in their dreams

condyk wrote in post #5503679
They do ... in their dreams

I guess I'll not question it then.

condyk wrote in post #5503679
They do ... in their dreams

Problem is, in their dreams they are doing it naked and we just don't want to go there.