Tips on Bird Photography

Bird photography can be a great pastime even if you do not have a professional camera.  It is important that you set up the right area and prepare properly to ensure that you take the best bird photographs that you can.  

• Set up bird feeders and fresh water for drinking in a quiet area in your yard.  This will make it easy to locate birds that you wish to photograph.  


• Birds should be photographed when they are the most active.  This will be in the morning in the first few hours after sunrise and right before sunset.


• Set up an area near your bird feeders that will allow you to camouflage yourself from the birds that you wish to photograph.  You will want to observe the birds in your yard without scaring them away.


• Purchase a camera with a remote.  This will allow you to set up your camera near your birds without having to be concerned about them flying away when you move to take a picture.  


• Set up your camera on a tripod.  This will allow you to take photographs of birds while keeping your flash off.  Natural light will look best when photographing birds.


• Make sure that you are familiar with the settings on your camera.  These settings may need to be changed if your pictures are not coming out well.  


• Springtime will be a very good time to take photos of birds that you would not normally see.  This is because migrating birds will stop and rest for food along their way.