Bird feeder Photography is an awesome way to capture birds while they are busy feeding. Most nature and bird lovers can spend hours watching birds, feeding, and interacting with other types of birds. It is a great alternative to escape from things that are burdening and weighing you down. Birding transports you to a different world and brings joy like no other. It is even considered therapeutic as it calms your busy thoughts and brings a sense of relief. This time of the year is perfect to find varieties of species of birds. There are many colorful birds of various sizes that are all chirping and singing. Having a bowl of water next to the feeder is a great idea. The days can get very hot with summer approaching and it will be very useful to them.
Bird feeder photography Tips
To photograph the birds on the bird feeder, some things to keep in mind is to use the longest lens that you have. I used a 250 mm lens, but if you are able to get one with 300 to 400 mm you can get even better shots. This helps you to keep a distance from the birds and not scare them away. You can then zoom in on the birds when you are ready to capture them. Be cautious not to make sudden movements or noise lest they fly away. They will get used to you, as you capture more often.
Ensure the birdfeed that you use has some tasty treats like safflower, sunflower, nyjer, millet, or peanuts that they love. My bird feeder is on the patio deck. One of the hurdles was the mesh that came in the way while capturing these beautiful birds. Leaving the patio door open was not an option, as that would invite unwanted insects, bees, and wasps.
Bird feeder photography definitely teaches you patience. There will be times you are all set with your photography gear and none of the birds show up. Be calm, sit still and wait patiently, they will approach slowly. It's truly rewarding and a wonderful treat to watch them perch and have the feed. Seat yourself comfortably and be ready with your camera, tripod, and gear. Capturing birds on the feeder also teaches you to react quickly, so you take the shot right on time. This helps improve your reflexes and quick reacting ability. Isn't that a great bonus?
You can use any of the photography modes you are comfortable with, manual mode, Av mode, or Tv mode for capturing birds. I do keep varying between these options. Sometimes I also use the auto mode and let the camera do all the work. As always I use the RAW mode to capture so I can recover and make corrections to any exposure values in editing. It is also a good idea to use a tripod and remote shutter release to get awesome pics.
For the clicks in today's post, I used my camera handheld. There are also folks who create a nice camouflage so the birds can not see the camera lens. This helps them get exceptional photographs. Focus on the eye or head of the bird if possible to get a clear shot. The photographs taken in today's post are from my attempt at capturing for just less than half-hour. There were not many varieties of birds who visited during this period. Many times we get visits from the cardinal and other colorful birds but they are quick to fly. I hope to get better shots of the colorful birds and post them.
When you are not photographing, you can always use a pair of binoculars to view all their antics, it is a nice time watching them. You connect with nature and get a satisfying feeling of being able to feed the birds. While bird feeder photography is a great option you can choose from the comfort of your home, visiting a nearby park or lake is also a good option for bird photography. This helps you get out and explore. You also get your exercise while connecting with nature, which in turn helps your physical and mental health.
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Stunning photos! Seeing birds naturally and happily go about their days is so sweet and calming, isn't it? We used to have a bird feeder at our old house but we can't have one here sadly because of the cat. You're right though, having a bowl of water next to the feeder is a great idea. And so is camouflage for getting the photos so as to not distract the birds too much. I never would have thought of that! xx
Thank you so much Caz! It is fun and relaxing watching them and how time flies. Yes they also love dipping and drinking from the water bowl , it is a great idea next to the feeder. I can imagine with a cat it may not be possible to have a bird feeder. I am yet to try camouflaging the camera lens for photo captures , am sure it will be fun to do that.
Awesome.
Thank you so much!
Absolutely wonderful click
Thank you so much Athira !
So glad you were able to capture these birds Nisha; and great tips as well as pics.. I am inspired to set up a bird feeder as well now π
Yes Vidya I was finally able to capture some pictures . Glad to hear that you are inspired to set it up as well. It is really fun! Thank you so much!
We have a bird feeder outside of our window where the kids eat and they get so excited when they see a new bird at the feeder. Of course, I never am fast enough to get a shot. I think I will set aside some time to try to get some good pictures. These are beautiful!
That's wonderful Rachel, the best part is that you and the kids enjoy watching them . It is very exciting seeing a new bird and we really love watching them too. Hope you have fun with the captures as well. Thank you so much for the comments!
Always welcome
These are some gorgeous captures
Thank you so much!
This is bird-watching but at the comfort of your own home. So many beautiful bird species that visited to eat.
Yes indeed many different varieties of birds do visit , it is absolutely wonderful to watch all their antics from the comfort of home .
I love watching birds at bird feeders. They can be so funny.
I agree they can be funny as well and very entertaining to watch . Thank you for stopping by!
Those are really beautiful shots! I wonder if I will be able to capture something like the ones above with my phone.
Thank you so much! Absolutely you can use your phone as well to capture them.
These are all amazing shots! Thank you for sharing them!
Thank you so much!
Here is my crazy way of taking pictures of my birds. Our feeder is right outside the window I sit next to. I push the screen to the top half of the window, wash my window and keep my iPhone at my side. Then I take the pictures through the window. I have gotten some unique pictures of the birds this way. Your pictures are perfect, as always! I love how the woodpeckers always hang off the feeder instead of standing in it.
That's a nice trick Diane and I have done that too with my phone on the window . Glad you were able to get some good clicks. Yes the wood peckers hanging off the feeder is entertaining . Thank you for the feedback on my captures .I am still working on improvising them.
Wow! These photos are amazing, I never even thought about using camouflage to hide the lens and camera, great hack. Although I have many birds in the garden what I would like to capture are the wild bunnies.
Yes indeed I think camouflage is a great way to capture the birds without disturbing or scaring them away. Wild bunnies are fun to capture too . I was once able to do it when it crossed the trail path I was walking on. They are very quick to escape.Thank you so much for the comments.
Fantastic photos! We have a birdbath in our backyard and get so many different birds. Unfortunately, I don't have a really long lens on my camera.
Thank you so much! It's so much fun to watch the birds on the birdbath. I have read that you can use a smartphone and binoculars to get some captures although I have not attempted it. It is a nice alternative for a long lens https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OoW80csbTE
Those birds look beautiful. This is a great idea if you want to see birds up close.
Wow! These are beautiful photos. It is amazing how many birds visited. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you so much!
how cute! I definitely need to set up a bird feeder and try to capture birds myself
Thank you so much! So glad to hear that .
As amateur nature photographer I have to agree with the remote shutter and tripod. I found I got so excited that I'd heavily press the shutter and blurr the photos. Remote and tripod = clearer photos!
Absolutely right Di, glad to know you enjoy nature photography as well. Remote and tripod is the trick to perfect bird captures on the feeder .I am yet to try it though and pretty sure will see a huge difference. Thank you so much for the comments.
Love them! Our house is filled with plants too where birds always drop by either to play or drink water from the excesses when watering the plants.. They are just so dun to watch and hear!
That must be really fun to watch and hear. Thank you for the comments and stopping by!
A beautiful cheery pic! Perfect the way and angle you take photos. Am also bird lover and its my hobbies to visit any botanical garden and take different kinds of pictures.
Thank you so much for such a nice comment appreciate it! Wonderful to know that you are a bird lover as well and enjoy capturing them. It's truly very gratifying.
This is such an amazing post, really loved it. I would love to have a bird feeder at home and capture their pics.
Thank you so much for the lovely comment. Have a wonderful time birding and capturing the pictures , enjoy!
Spend some time with nature and birds refreshes the mind. Stunning captures Nisha. π
Absolutely right Suni, it refreshed the mind .Thank you for the lovely comment , glad you loved the captures.