Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Finding wildlife with a camera, or—Please don’t fly away!

Sunday was very hot and humid. Most days lately have been like that, the same kind of weather that many of you have experienced.
But I’m not complaining. I’m setting the scene.
Around noon, Larry asked me to come out into the backyard to check the position of the frame for the raised bed garden we’re putting in. He had put together the basic frame and while it was still moveable, he wanted to make sure I agreed with where he placed it.
I admittedly dragged my feet. Like I said, it was hot and humid. But I grabbed my camera and went out with him. I wanted to capture some shots of the frame and continue my documentation of our new project.
I noticed the bird bath was dry, so I filled it up from the outside spigot. I hung around, hoping to see some birds, but it remained empty.
Until I went inside.
“Tina, there’s a bird in the bath,” called Larry from the porch.
I picked up my camera and hurried out the back door onto the enclosed back porch, then out the screen door to the yard.
I walked as carefully as I could and got as close as I could.
The bird flew away.
The bird came back.





I snapped some pictures.
The bird flew away.
The bird came back. Another bird joined him.





One flew away. Then the other flew away.
“They can see you standing there,” said Larry.
He went to the porch and dragged out two chairs for us to use to sit in the shade and watch. I captured some more shots.



But I admit I was hot. Sweat was running into my eyes. My nose started to itch with allergies. The birds were staying away. They even left the tree above us.
So we went in.
I put away my camera.
I looked out the living room window. A bird was in the bath, splashing away.
I got my camera and tried to quietly walk out again. By the time I got to the middle of the yard, the bird was gone.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
I stood there, thinking that if I was very still, the birds would think I was part of the landscape and come back.
It sure was hot.
Larry came back out, laughing.
“The birds are texting the cats, and the cats are rolling on the floor laughing,” he said. “The birds are telling them, doesn’t your mom know we can see her?”
(Note: Yes, our cats have cell phones. We’ve never actually seen them. But the cats seem to know everything that goes on. They must have something.)
I went back inside. Sat down with a bottle of water to cool off. Looked out the window. A bird was back.
This time I sneaked out the side door and walked around the house. Once again, I could only get so close and get off a few photos before they flew off.



I need a longer lens. I need to be stealthier. I need a birdfeeder.
On the stealthy side, my cats said they will teach me what they can.
Meanwhile, I suspect the birds are still talking about me. And laughing.

And as a side note, Sunday was a bad day for me with depression. I was feeling hopeless and down. But my backyard nature antics made me feel better. Yes, nature is one of my treatments.

Any suggestions on how to capture wildlife with a camera?




38 comments:

  1. Hi Tina, patience is the key, as I am sure you noticed...the birds began to appear when you didn't expect them to. I love these photos! I haven't had much luck capturing small birds, because they are so fast!!! I think you did a fine job here and whenever there is a pond, a bird bath or a fountain you can guarantee that the birds will come!

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    1. Thank you, Linda. I agree--patience is important. But sometimes mine is in short supply! :-)

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  2. this is a delightful post, I laughed, we think our cats, birds, dog,neighbourhood creatures are in constant communication too. I have so very little luck with the birds we feed, you've captured some gorgeous shots, that little blue is cool and I love the fella staring at you on the edge of the feeder, I think you should get feeders they are a great source of wonderment and can take us right out of ourselves and away from that stuff that interferes with our well-being, though I understand it is more difficult with your OCD..I do appreciate this..

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    1. Thank you, Lynn. I think I need to get a feeder, too. When I've had them before, it provided me with such enjoyment! And I got a closer look at the birds.

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  3. Sweet little titmice and bluebird Tina -- I think you did just fine! I need to trim my hedge outside the window as it's blocking my bird feeders.

    PS -- a bird feeder just outside a window is a great place to capture bird antics.

    Have a great day! xo

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    1. Thank you for identifying the little gray birds, Nancy. I didn't know they were titmice. Yes, without a feeder, I don't have a place for them to congregate except at the bird bath. And that's sitting out in the yard away from the windows.

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  4. Wow, the color in that last bird is amazing! My birds aren't NEARLY as pretty :)

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    1. Thanks, Kathy. I loved that blue color, too. I chased her around the yard, actually, and got a few photos of her on our fence.

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  5. nice titmouse and bluebird action!

    honestly, i get about 90% of my bird feeder and bird bath shots through my office window. i keep the screen off of it and the feeder tree and baths are outside that window. have to keep it clean, though. :)

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    1. Thanks, Theresa. Our living room window is a large one and looks out over the backyard. That would be the best place to shoot photos from. I do need to clean it first, though--still has some pollen on it. :-)

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  6. Nature is sometimes the best medicine there is. It does the same for me that it did for you. It gets me outside myself sometimes.

    Beautiful birds, btw. I tried to snap some hummingbird photos the other day. Lol. Talk about fast flight! And i'm certain they were laughing heartily at me!

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    1. Thank you, Mary. I agree with you on the nature as medicine thought. It's soothing to my soul.

      I love watching hummingbirds, but yes, I expect they would be hard to photograph! :-)

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  7. The wildlife, including birds, seem to be so used to humans around here, that nothing scares them off..I think I'd prefer a happy medium!

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    1. Janet, I think the deer have definitely gotten more used to humans. When I was young, we rarely saw them on the farm in the country. Nowadays, we see them in town and in the city. Part of that, of course, is because they've lost their habitats and have had to move in closer to people.

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  8. I LOVE IT! ... and I love the shadow in the water from the 2nd to the last pic!

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    1. Thank you, Deanna. In that shot, the bird was looking right at me. I think he was telling me to go away and let him bathe in peace. :-)

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  9. Oh funny! You still got some good shots!

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    1. Thanks, Lisa. I had fun doing it, and I don't think the birds minded too much. I just need to practice.

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  10. A.W.E.S.O.M.E

    sorry about sunday, taking pictures always makes me feel better!

    love the little bluebird, i don't get them in my yard!!

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    1. Thank you, Debbie. Taking the pictures certainly made me feel better. It's good to be able to do something to help myself feel better. It was a beautiful day and I was with Larry and we laughed a lot. What could be better? :-)

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  11. Sorry to hear you were down recently, Tina! Just prayed for you!

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    1. Thank you, Jackie. You have such a kind heart. :-)

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  12. Looks like you got some great pics! It just took some persistence.

    I'm sorry you had a rough day. I've had a few hormonal days that have been tough as well...maybe it's the moon. :) Whenever I get out in nature, though, it helps. The hard part on those rough days is getting out there!

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    1. Thanks, Nadine. If I'm anything, I'm persistent! I just didn't want to give up. But I know I need more practice.

      I'm glad that I had Larry encouraging me to go outside. I don't know if I would have on my own.

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  13. Oh how i love this story.
    My yard is full of flight . . . I never try to photograph - I just savor and enjoy.
    Thank You for putting in such effort - so we could all see . . .

    love & love,
    -g-

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    1. Thank you, G. I think it's wonderful to savor and enjoy the beauty of nature. Sometimes, if I've missed what I thought would be a great shot, I remind myself that I at least experienced the connection with nature.

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  14. Yes, try a feeder. And maybe on a day that's not so hot, you can sit out there for a while.

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    1. Thanks, Kristina. Yes, a feeder would give them a reason to hang out, maybe long enough for me to get some pictures! And that's a good idea about trying on a day that's not as hot.

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  15. Lovely birdies! <3 I tried to take photos of birds, but they're usually far from where I am... :(

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    1. Thank you. The birds can fly away so fast, can't they? But they're lovely to watch even if we can't catch the photo. :-)

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  16. This was a lot of fun. You got some good shots. I would be thrilled if I could capture my bluebirds (and indigo buntings). You did great!

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    1. Thanks, Jill. I appreciate it. I would love to catch a cardinal and some robins.

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  17. Hahaha! I know this feeling so well! I'm always trying to sneak out to get a shot before they fly away - it rarely works. You did get some good shots, though - so all is good!

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    1. Thanks, Karen. I was happy to get any shots in by the time I was finished. :-) Sneaking around wildlife is not so easy, is it?

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  18. Hilarious! We have a rabbit living in our backyard. I call him "Pip" (short for both Pippin the hobbit and Pipkin from "Watership Down"). I accidentally got him in the face with the hose yesterday when I was watering my hydrangeas!

    Sorry your depression has been bad lately. I know how you feel. Wish I had some camera advice for you, but I'm the world's very worst photographer!

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    1. Thanks, Jean. Your rabbit sounds so cute! I love to see them. And I like the name you picked out for him. :-)

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  19. Oh Tina with cats with cell phones, a funny husband, and beautiful Bluebirds at your water bowl you have all the ingredients to make me laugh and hopefully you will be laughing with me. You have a great life Tina you have to hold on to those funny little things. HUGS HUGS HUGS. B

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  20. I don't think you need any tips on photo-taking. You did wonderfully with these shots. That last blue bird is beautiful! I can never get bird photos. I don't have the patience and they're too fast.

    I'm so glad you and hubby are getting your raised beds put in. It's going to be fun to read about your gardening pursuits. Before you know it, you'll be hooked.

    I'm sorry about your depression. I know when it gets really hot, I get down. I need to be outside during the summer and when I'm stuck indoors sweating, I just want to sleep. I'm glad the birds made your day brighter. I hope the weather cools soon.

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