Am I really kidding my self?

this is turning in to a right expensive trip isn't it!

I've been looking at camo gear, but jesus, have your seen the prices?!?!!?!
 
Had Peter Guy give a talk on the birds of a Bowland Farm at the camera club
a few weeks back. He's sat in a hide for anything up to 16 hours just to watch
the birds and their habits before he even thought about pointing a lens at them.
 
I've got a wildlife photography field book written by Andy Rouse...he says you don't need to bother with camo so long as you have the muted colours, and especially if you're sat in a hide :lol:
 
purpleclouds said:
I've got a wildlife photography field book written by Andy Rouse...he says you don't need to bother with camo so long as you have the muted colours, and especially if you're sat in a hide :lol:
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well that true if you have hides at the location,

What if your in a feild/bush trying to capture something in the true wild (non-reserve set up)
 
gazedd said:
well that true if you have hides at the location,

What if your in a feild/bush trying to capture something in the true wild (non-reserve set up)
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It's a lot cheaper to buy some scrim netting than it is to buy a coat...

The advantages:

You can set it up where you want, attach it to trees/bushes etc..
You are then free to move underneath it, whereas with a jacket you would still need to sit dead still
You don't need camo for your camera
and so on :)

edit - Oh and you can chuck it in your bag when you're done, and go on about your business without looking like you are going to war :D
 
Expensive camo gear isn't essential. As said earlier, muted dull colours are fine. Keep low - a seated figure worries the birds a lot less than someone standing, and it's a good excuse to use a portable folding seat and get comfortable. It's sudden movements of your head and hands which will spook the birds, so keep still and keep low behind the camera. Exposed human skin is what birds seem to see most, so it's a good idea to wear a hat, and gloves can come in handy. Pigeon shooters (bang bang variety) will tell you that human faces actually shine to a bird, so they'll wear a face veil or bit of cammo scrim over the lower part of their face.

The trick is to get out there and get as comfortable as you can and keep still. Be patient. Setting up against a hedgerow, bushes ar any natural feature which breaks up your outline will help.:)
 
Netting would be a good option for me because if this type of photography turns out to be something I dont enjoy more then just a walk around a nature reserve etc, I can always flog it on cheaply, where as a jacket would be harder I guess due to my size etc...
 
Another thing Gaz... if you're sat on a small portable chair or similar, I find using a monopod is better than using a tripod as it allows for more free movement.

Ian is spot on as usual... the trick is not necessarily to blend in 100% with your surroundings (though it will help), but to be able to sit still with minimal movement. Quick jerky movements will spook the birds, whereas slow controlled movement will possibly not.

This camo netting is ideal as a trial to see how you get on and is only a fiver.

For longer periods though it is far better to be able to sit in ones hide, able to move, have a cuppa, and a bite to eat... :)
 
gaz try marbury country park comberbach there are two feeder stations there find the one in the woods

there is a log quite close to the hide and you can place seed on it and the birds will soon come to it not been there for a while so might try it myself this weekend

also pennington flash has a good feeder station where the birds come quite close in

also tatton park is good for deer you can get quite close if you are patient
 
Nikons have a shutter speed of up to 1/8000 sec. plenty fast enough to "Freeze" birds in flight. As for photos in zoos etc really a 300mm lens with stablisation is a must as part of the kit to get those distance photos.

CopyofDSC_0034Medium.jpg


Ignoring everything else this just gives an example of a fast shutter speed, ok it has been cropped with the normal resulting problems but it is just to show shutter speed only. Camera used Nikon D200 with 70 -200mm Sigma lens
 
Try Martin Mere ,your 250 would be ample up there to get into the swing of things......:thumbs:
 
There are some places that are being repeatedly being suggested to me, So they must be good local spots.
Boots Will be on this weekend and I'll be out and about I think trying these spots out.

Guys, Thank you for your help with this one, I thought I was doing things wrong - It looks like I only selected the wrong location and didn't sit long enough for the action.
 
gazedd said:
There are some places that are being repeatedly being suggested to me, So they must be good local spots.
Boots Will be on this weekend and I'll be out and about I think trying these spots out.

Guys, Thank you for your help with this one, I thought I was doing things wrong - It looks like I only selected the wrong location and didn't sit long enough for the action.
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Good luck Gaz, I am sure you'll be fine.

re an earlier post of yours, I am in South Wales not North Wales unfortunately, but if you're ever down this way please do give me a shout and we can have a day scouting the local birding hot spots.

Have a great weekend.
 
theMusicMan said:
Good luck Gaz, I am sure you'll be fine.

re an earlier post of yours, I am in South Wales not North Wales unfortunately, but if you're ever down this way please do give me a shout and we can have a day scouting the local birding hot spots.

Have a great weekend.
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I certainly will, Thank you
 
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