Blinds for low-angle bird photography

For all of you, guys, who use low-angle technique for photographing water birds, could someone describe the setup, particularly the blinds that you use.

I asked a similar question a while back and a member referred me to a Cabelas site where there were blinds starting @ $40.00. Further looking showed any sporting goods site has a wide array of these. Just re-read your post and see that you were referring to water birds-so, this may not be of any help. Sorry.
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Rog

I shoot low angle often but due to the wet/muddy/sandy conditions I shoot in it's tough to go under cover. I've done it laying down before using a camo fabric to cover me and my gear but it get pretty messy and seeing out of it gets restricted even using a fabric with the leaf cut-out holes in it. Not too bad unless you shoot in locations like I do where predators like gators and water moccasins are common. Limiting visibility can be dangerous in those conditions especially since you're laying down and escape will be slowed by having to get to your feet to flee. I'd recommend a last line of defense like a good knife and/or pepper spray if animal danger lurks. Just something to consider while shooting in remote locations.

I prefer to use the surroundings for cover whenever possible, like marsh grass, etc. Since I most times move around or crawl a blind is too stationary for the way I like to shoot. Keep in mind that laying down in itself is very helpful in approaching birds. If you lay down at a distance when the birds are relaxed and crawl toward then carefully without sudden movements you'll be amazed how close you can get. I do it all the time in wide open spaces and with patience can close the gap and get very close. Just make sure you approach with the sun at your back and dress to get dirty or sandy. A good thin nylon camo jacket and pants make brushing off the messy stuff a breeze and some are made water repellant to keep your clothes dry too. This shot shows what I wear for crawls:

Rog, no problem, thanks for the input. I will take a look at Cabelas website and see what they have to offer that suits my needs.

Steve, first of all, I just did see your recent duck and merganser shots, and all I can say is those are incredible. Exactly what I am after.
You provided an excellent insight and this is exactly what I was looking for. Also, the shot of you taking pictures helped very much. Now I know what gear I need to be looking for, and how to approach birds that way. Thank you so much for the thorough post. Also, thank you for sharing your knowledge and the technique. Hope this will help others who are interested in low-angle bird photography.

Thanks and you're very welcome. Nothing innovative in what I do, with persistence and patience it can work for anyone. Unfortunately when shooting the Mergansers I wasn't able to get to water level, I was about three feet higher than I would have liked to be. The steep bank got softer and unstable the closer I got to the water so I had to stop where the ground would support the camera/lens and Ground Pod. Three hours laying on an incline with your feet higher than your head is a bit painful on the lower back not to mention a huge pain in the neck. Still it was worth it, I go in most days knowing it'll be a challenge and that's part of why I like it. Good luck shootin'.

I went by your site, amazing work. It looks like you've got some great locations. I'm especially jealous of the Avocet in breeding color. We get them here in small numbers in the late summer but by then the breeding color is gone. Still, even without the color, they're one of my favorites. I've got some more to process from the summer and will post them soon.

Nighthound,
Is your base a purchased unit or a DYI project? Just curious. I like it. I crawled up on some ducks on a small pond and was trying to use a very small tripod. It just was not low enough for comfort. I finally just ditched it and used logs and grass clumps as support. I like the look of that unit you have. You can slide your camera on the ground as you slowly move toward your target correct?

Res, take a look at this post, Steve (nighthound) seems to be using a Skimmer Ground pod II, which he specifies:

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=982792

By the way, these are some more great shots from him.

B&H sells Skimmer ground pods:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …I_Skimmer_Groun​d_Pod.html

Yes, as et078(thanks for the compliment) mentioned I used the Skimmer II. I got mine at Naturescapes but I believe the price is the same in either places. I know people that have made their own from a cooking skillet or heavy pie pan but I chose the lazy way. I like the lightweight Skimmer and its plenty solid for the MK II / Wimberley II / 500L combo. I hike very often so total weight of my gear matters, especially in the summer heat. Having a gimbal head on the Skimmer makes it a breeze to shoot with and yes I simply slide the rig along in front of me if I'm on the move. !00 bucks sounds steep for a piece of heavy duty plastic but I use mine almost every weekend and IMO was money well spent.

Thanks guys

Here's a pic of one of the blinds I have shot many ducks, geese, and other water birds from:

http://www.tomreichner​.com …927_EJapW#49500​8552_PHm9D

The white foam is affixed to a collapseable saw-horse with zip-ties. Super cheap and easy to make. Also very portable. It works well when there is snow on the banks, or when there is ice on the water. I think it has been so effective for me because it is small - only 24" tall. The low profile and small size tends not to spook the birds, whereas larger versions have caused the ducks to stay at a cautious distance.

Unfortunately, however, it's low height means that you have to lie down and stay down, or else the birds will see you and flee. It is not very comfortable to lie behind all day, but I'd rather have good images than comfort.

Tom, thanks much for the input. Like you said, this would be ideal for snow as the blind is truly invisible and blends so well with the environment. As we get a lot of snow here in Central Oregon, this would be quite useful to build.

You couldn't have said better, and I completely agree that I would rather come back home with a pain in the back and good images, than not having images at all. We are on the same page here.
By the way, I visited your website, and your work is outstanding. Congrats!

Thanks everyone, once again, for your time to reply to my question.

I often carry a "quick blind" made up of a piece of inexpensive (and light) camo netting (about ~3' x 10') with three 36" x 3/8" pointed wooden dowels zip-tied to it that can be easily rolled up and strapped to the side of my camera pack. If I find my self in a shooting situation where a stationary blind would be useful, I just stake the netting into the ground in a "V" shape, get on belly (or sit in a turkey chair) and push my lens through one of the many slits I have made in the fabric and wait for the shot. It is a lot lighter and less cumbersome than my Doghouse blind and can be set-up very quickly and inconspicuously without alerting a potential subject already in view.

Thank you, Jeff. I now have a few ideas how to approach this. If I come up with some decent shots, I will post them here. I appreciate your input.

I use a Hefty bag with a hole in it. It actually works. I need to get a few white ones for the winter. Some of the places I hike to in search of a hole in the ice of a river or pond won't allow for carrying anything more.

JPBones73 wrote in post #11675043
I use a Hefty bag with a hole in it. It actually works. I need to get a few white ones for the winter. Some of the places I hike to in search of a hole in the ice of a river or pond won't allow for carrying anything more.

I like this idea, but don't bags reflect the light and actually scare birds?