please help with bird shots!

A constant source of mystery to me is the number of people I see erecting tripods to chest height or lower (despite the fact it will obviously go higher) which means they have to stoop low to look through the viewfinder - you can see the shaking induced by the stress on their body from this uncomfortable position, which is bound to be transferred to the camera. On top of that they're usually struggling with the handles on a pan and tilt head and bitterly complaining that the bird has flown and they have another shot of an empty branch.

The problem is well meant advice isn't always well received so I tend to be wary about offering any unless asked.
 
I think I had the opposite. Lucked in with some kingfisher shots within the first 15 mins, and our tame garden robin, thought it was easy.

I've never managed anything as good since. :D
 
Thanks guys, my first step will be a decent tripod! i've never upgraded it and it's quite difficult to pan with it so ill get one of those gimbal heads. As for a nice new lens... that will have to wait.. perhaps re-morgage!
I will also have to find a place in the south east that flys captive birds, U've got to be quick to get one going 30mph +!
The marsh harriers are nesting at stodmarsh nr canterbury at the moment there's 3 of them. I can't realy get much closer, im quite patient though so i'm happy to sit and wait. Maybe rest a dead rabbit on my tripod! (just kidding) x
 
lol, you can get good practise by going to air shows, and as for the captive birds..why?
where you live a quick pop down to the cliffs and a bag of chips and the seagulls will play all day for you.
you are doing great keep it up.
xx

ps thanks for the tea.
 
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