There is a certain magic involved in taking a dynamic, beautiful bird photograph. Many of the ingredients you can control—timing the shoot, setting up the perfect location, using quality tools—but the true joy of bird photography is in the unexpected. What kind of bird will land on this perch? Can you press the shutter just as it spreads its wings? Can you capture the drama of the moment in vivid colour?
Here are our ideas to help you conquer the elements of timing, location, and equipment. The magic is up to the birds.
Timing
Spring is the start of bird watching season, the mild weather enticing migratory birds to fly north. During the mild Canadian summers and the autumn migration period, bird watchers have still more opportunities to capture the perfect shot.
Birds tend to be most active in the morning, within three hours after the sun rises. The evening can also be a good time, and both dawn and dusk have the added bonus of dramatic, interesting lighting.
Pay close attention to the forecast. Birds tend to stay in a protected area if it is very hot, cold, windy or rainy. Choose a day that will be mild and calm, when birds will be most comfortable looking for food.
Finding birds and drawing them to you
Preparation is key to finding prime locations to photograph birds. Learn as much as you can about birds in your area. There is an iPhone app based on the authoritative Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America . Search images, listen to bird calls, and investigate the places where you are likely to find your favourite birds.
Find areas popular with local birds: bird sanctuaries, provincial and national parks, and other natural areas rich in wildlife are good places to find birds. Come prepared with seed that is appropriate for your target birds, and find a location where they like to perch.
Attract birds to your backyard: research is key to drawing birds to your yard. Feeders come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and you can stock them with food that attracts different species. Birds also like running water or shallow dishes of water—make these available.
When you are placing feeders and birdbaths around your yard, keep lighting in mind. Also think of where you and your camera will be—if you are too close, birds may be too nervous to land. You might consider hiding behind a bush with a clear sight line, or placing your camera on a tripod and using a remote to press your shutter. Shooting through a window from inside your house is also a good possibility—a polarizing filter can help with glare from the glass.
Calendars
Bird photography is as much an art as a science—even with careful preparation, you will throw away many more shots than you will keep. This makes each beautiful, dramatic bird photo a treasure.
Photo calendars are an excellent way to display your treasured shots. Calendars can be personalized with text to mark memorable days, include captions to identify birds and set up the story of each shot. You can choose 13 of your favourite bird photos (one for each month and one for the cover), or more to appear on individual days. Bird calendars are wonderful, personalized gifts, especially for loved ones who are also bird enthusiasts.
Visit London Drugs Photolab to learn more about making your own calendar
