How do you do it???

Anyone got any hints on how to get close enough to birdies to photograph them, I live in a plpace with some of the most varied birdlife in Europe... I only have the 55-250mm is lens but everytime I get near they are long gone...

This is my best so far

IMAGE LINK: http://public.fotki.co​m …dlife/onethatgo​taway.html

I think that most people will agree that the longer the lens the more success you have with bird photos. I can only suggest that rather than go chasing the birds wait until they come near you. Find out where they like to perch and go sit hidden nearby and wait on them coming. If you have a garden set up some natural perches and put out food for the birds. There's nothing quite like food for attracting wildlife. It takes a lot of patience and you have to mentally prepare yourself for not getting decent photos every time you go out. Patience is one of the best attributes a bird photographer can have.

Thanks, kinda like I figured... I have what I have with no option of going longer unless I come into a windfall! I guess I am jsut a little impatient, there are plenty of places to hide and wait but it is just too damn cold at the minute, I live in an area that is full of arrable land which is great for spotting at this time of year as there is no natural cover. Roll on spring when the cranes arrive and nes on every available electricity and telephone pylon, they are not so camera shy!

Will see how things go later in the year

250 is just not long enough for most bird photography. However, if that is your only choice, a couple of ideas:

Go where the birds are.
I was surprised to find that Hungary is such a great birding area: http://hungarianbirdwa​tching.com/areas.htm

Use your car as a mobile blind.
You can stay warm, sneak up on roadside birds (who are used to cars) and often get closer than on foot.

Concentrate on large birds.
Tiny birds require lots of magnification. I think you have Great Bustard in Hungary, wow, I would love to photograph one of those.

Wait for spring.
Don't know about Hungary, but in Texas, springtime is filled with birds.

Upgrade to at least 400mm, when you can afford it.

Good luck and be patient, some of these guys make it look easy, but it is not. Check out this site for helpful tips:
http://www.birdsasart.​com/bn.html

mikeivan wrote in post #9565845
250 is just not long enough for most bird photography. However, if that is your only choice, a couple of ideas:

Go where the birds are.
I was surprised to find that Hungary is such a great birding area: http://hungarianbirdwa​tching.com/areas.htm
I live pretty much inbetween 33, 36 and37 on the map and also have access to a boat to get out on the lake in the spring and summer, so will be looking forward to giving it a go

Use your car as a mobile blind.
You can stay warm, sneak up on roadside birds (who are used to cars) and often get closer than on foot.
The birds of prey are pretty smart to this technique, it seems they sit there in the winter and wait for roadkill as there aint much in the fields... But no joy as yet

Concentrate on large birds.
Tiny birds require lots of magnification. I think you have Great Bustard in Hungary, wow, I would love to photograph one of those.
I think I saw one of these the other yesterday whilst driving home it was by quite some distance the largets bird I have seen since being here... Unfortunately by the time I had pulled over oin the snow it had gone!


Wait for spring.
Don't know about Hungary, but in Texas, springtime is filled with birds.

Upgrade to at least 400mm, when you can afford it.

Good luck and be patient, some of these guys make it look easy, but it is not. Check out this site for helpful tips:
http://www.birdsasart.​com/bn.html

Thanks for the reply, would love to stretch too a 400 maybe 500mm lens but will have to see how the year progresses!

This thread has a number of tips and ideas on how one can or does get close to the subject: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=584262

My standard rant on getting closer to birds.

Most wild animals, birds included, are just that wild. They may seem to have a sixth sense when someone is trying to stalk them; but in reality they are rather dumb compared to humans and most can be approached if you hone the skills needed to do it.

If you view increasing these skills the same way you view increasing your photography skills you will be miles ahead.

Just as an example I will take blinds. You will find lots of posts about how blinds are helpful in getting close to wild subjects; and I agree. A blind can also keep you warm in the winter and in the shade in the summer.

The problem is that many peeps don't know how to use a blind; just as many people don't know how to use a camera. When some one says there blind is no help I always pose the following questions.

How many times have you set up a blind? How many times have you set up your blind? How many times have you set up a blind that did not belong to you? Do you always set up your blind so the sun is at your back? Or do you try to get your blind to blend into the natural features around your blind? Have you observed the wildlife you want to photograph and taken this into account when you choose a location to set up your blind? Imagine changing the word blind to camera and answering these questions.

Just as there is a necessary skill set that takes time to develop in photography there is also a necessary skill set needed to get close to wild animals which takes time to develop.

"Blinds" = "hides" on this side of the Atlantic.

Brian,

one easy option is to set up a feeding station: combine that with a hide and you might well find that your lens is plenty long enough.

Keith R wrote in post #9604304
"Blinds" = "hides" on this side of the Atlantic.

Brian,

one easy option is to set up a feeding station: combine that with a hide and you might well find that your lens is plenty long enough.

Thanks...

Have a few ideas for later in the year, I live on a small holding and have a section of maize and sunflowers that will hopefully provide enough cover to provide more success.

These winter months are a killer, plenty of time to spare and plenty of wildlife to shoot against a white BG, but it is too damn cold to sit around and wait without losing your extremities

llareggub wrote in post #9606556
These winter months are a killer, plenty of time to spare and plenty of wildlife to shoot against a white BG, but it is too damn cold to sit around and wait without losing your extremities

Good outdoor gear helps Lots of layers. Gloves with a thinner glove underneath. I went out the other day and it was a beautiful sunny day but -10C. I used a skinny glove most of the day and put my hands in my pocket for a bit of warmth. You can also bring a thermos of tea which helps I also brought a camo blanket folded in a square to sit on in the sun.

Getting close enough? longer lens for sure for BIF. If you want perched birds, you can sprinkle a few black oiled sunflower seeds around or bring a suet feeder to string on a branch.

rawkhopper wrote in post #9606876
Good outdoor gear helps Lots of layers. Gloves with a thinner glove underneath. I went out the other day and it was a beautiful sunny day but -10C. I used a skinny glove most of the day and put my hands in my pocket for a bit of warmth. You can also bring a thermos of tea which helps I also brought a camo blanket folded in a square to sit on in the sun.

Getting close enough? longer lens for sure for BIF. If you want perched birds, you can sprinkle a few black oiled sunflower seeds around or bring a suet feeder to string on a branch.

You are a braver man than me, the thought of sitting outside at the minute is not one that I am entertaining!

Will wait until the spring when I can get out on the lake and summer when I can hide in maize fields Cheers for your thoughts!

I agree with Keith R, for small birds you need to get as close as possible, either by using a hide or by sitting very still with the camera on a mono or tripod. The act of lifting the camera to your eye will often spook the bird as it thinks it is a predator's eye.
I've taken many bird photographs with the 55-250 and got respectable results, although often with a bit (or lot!) of cropping, see my site for examples.
As a guide I reckon with this lens you should aim for around 15ft maximum distance for small birds.
Sid