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Sunday, January 19, 2014

Helpful Photography Hints

... for the beginning nature photographer:

One way to get a clear close-up photograph of a nervous bird such as the Eastern Phoebe sometimes involves both wile and prior planning. This ploy has worked well for me. 

Pick an exposed, open location, such as a marsh or meadow, which is bordered by small trees and shrubbery. Pace off about ten steps from the edge and drive a four foot stake into the ground. Paint the top of the post with Tanglefoot or other sticky adhesive. When a bird lands it will become stuck in the glue. After it calms down it will accept it's fate and cease flopping about, which will allow you to approach it at your leisure to take as many pictures as you desire. 

After you have taken your photos, merely snip off the bird's feet with a large scissors. It will fly off to die somewhere else while you wait for another bird to land.

Tomorrow: Birding With Mousetraps.

Wishing you all good luck and better pictures!

(Yeah, I know ....)

4 comments:

Bob Hovey said...

Great tip! Only thing I'd add is to use a tree limb rather than a plain post so that there will be a more natural-looking perch appearing in the photo. Also, be careful of the type of glue you use, some are highly toxic to wildlife.

Gunnar Berg said...

Excellent points, both. (Been running with Brits down here.)

Gunnar Berg said...

Also, D-Con Mouse Glue Traps work very well if you have Photoshop to erase them from the photo.

Jonny Hamachi said...

If you cut the board with the bird still attached and tie a heavy fishing line to it and set it on the ground you can use it as bait for birds of prey.