How to Approach and Get Close to Birds (Bird Photography)

[@LexTNeville]

Step 1: Apply baby oil. Step 2: Get on your belly. Step 3: Slide on up to that bird. Step 4: Profit.

[@EmoEmu]

You've mastered the technique when you're getting 1:1 macros.

[@HectorPastor]

😂😂😂 😍 the Big Grey squirrel in 6:16

[@johnboyf-15vet51]

Been thinking about the comments on wearing camo. Logically thinking it will work, every creature in nature is camouflaged in some respect. When you talk about quick movements scaring the birds away, with camo, that movement might be masked and not startle the bird. Duck hunters wear camo for a reason and it works. Went birding yesterday wearing camo for the first time and it worked. The problem most birders have with camo is that they associate it with hunters. Also, if you are birding in other countries, especially third world, do not wear camo as they will think you are a terrorist. As a world traveler, its true.

[@QVL75]

Great advice! Thanks!

[@michaelkissane6138]

Great info and insights! As a grad. of Wildlife Biology, we also learned about comfort zones vs . 'fight or flight' as well as ideas of range, habitat and territories . These being concentric areas around an animal. Farther away being less threatening and the closer you get, the creature must eventually decide to 'fight' (to defend territory or if a nesting/nursing animal with young) or use 'flight' to escape a perceived threat. Also, learned that birds can't count, so if an assistant leaves and you're relatively still, they might think the risk has left. Also, reflective stuff, like glasses, jewelry or tripod legs can be an issue.

[@kevins8575]

Great techniques. Also, one of my favorite ways to approach birds near a road is to stay in the car; they don't seem bothered by shapes that don't look like an animal

[@stephencurah1059]

Tried with kestrels and its impossible lol

[@marklaurendet1861]

A nice set of tips. Where I live there are a few types of birds that seem to spook as soon as you raise the camera to your eye. So this is the only time I use the fully articulated monitor. I look 90 degrees to the bird and look at the read turned out LCD but point the camera to the bird. same for some sorts of lizards Seems to work for a noob wildlife shooter.

[@nightcoder5k]

Great tips. I hate it when I spend time sneaking up slowly, quietly to the bird getting ready for the first shot and it flies away.

[@ArnaudSiemons]

Great vid. My technique involves already being at the location and waiting as if fishing for carp.... I preferably set up before sunset. It sometimes takes hours but it is worth the wait most of the times.

[@ziomalZparafii]

All presented photos have 3 params displayed but I lack the most interesting for me, that is focal length that tells how close did you get for that particular shot (and what lens type is enough for such shot). Never the less, thanks for the video.

[@naturescape1513]

Thank you for bringing up the points about not flushing birds. So many migratory birds are already exhausted and don't need to expand any more energy. What are your thoughts on camouflage for birding?

[@michaelconchscooter8940]

Yellow titles are legible. Fortunately the narrative is audible and excellent. I’m ready to try this.

[@xoghul]

Human: moves Bird: are you threatening me?

[@twiztedzero1685]

Just gave this one another watch , just to refresh myself about approaches. :) Thanks Tim.

[@BirdWhisperer46]

And always try and keep in mind, what ever you try, your in their livingroom. Just imagine if you tried to crawl across my living room floor, do you think I'd notice?

[@TITAOSTEIN]

Better aproach? ... Is with a small Olympus Omd EM1 X and 300mm f4 +Tc 1,4 or 2 ;)

[@pgo2372]

Great way to capture a poor quality image, too.

[@TITAOSTEIN]

@@pgo2372 really?? Only if you are unlucky enough to live in a cold place, in winter, with little light and being a beginner photographer.

[@paulinefollett3099]

Another fantastic video. All these tips are vital for getting close. Thanks so much Tim.

[@GodwitMediaLLC]

Thank you Pauline!

[@abebakker1525]

Some great tips thank you. I've heard that pretending to yawn could actually put animals to ease as well. I don't know if that theory has any merit to it, but to me it kinda makes sense. Yawning is something mammels, birds and reptiles do. So it makes sense that birds would be able to recognize yawning as a ''relaxed state'' for humans. Would love to hear your thoughts on this!

[@boetschge]

Hi Tim, thanks for your advice on how to retreat from a Bird without disturbing it too much! Many People just dont care,but I think its as important. Best Regards,Marc

[@GodwitMediaLLC]

Bird Photography ethics are going to become more and more important as there are fewer birds and more birders and bird photographers.

[@boetschge]

I have another Question to you ... I would like to have your Book ,would you prefer to have it sold throu your own Internet Site or should I get it from Amazon instead? I live in Germany,so shipping might be a concern. Best Regards,Marc

[@GodwitMediaLLC]

@@boetschge It will cost you less if you get it though Amazon, thanks for your interest in the book!

[@boetschge]

Thanks,you just sold another Book :-) Cant wait to read it! Best regards,Marc

[@sandramcmillan-cato8646]

Great tips I will be putting them in practice very soon

[@jcpatriots19]

I love your videos . They are super informative. I've learned so much through your videos . Your my favorite bird photographer

[@muralinarayanamurthy3705]

Thank you for the great tips Sir. Kind Regards

[@richard.featherstone]

Wearing dull, muted colour clothing helps - it doesn't have to be camouflage pattern, just dull greens and browns. Being aware of what is behind you as you approach helps, don't approach silhouetted against the sky, it's too obvious -try to have trees or bushes behind you as you approach, and maybe keep low as well.

[@arefuddinahmed892]

Excellent informative video Tim. I learned a lot from you. Thanks a lot.

[@GodwitMediaLLC]

Thanks for watching, and I glad I'm able to help you some. Tim

[@ReginakDale]

Great advice. Thanks for another great video.

[@GodwitMediaLLC]

Thanks Regina!

[@ghlocal1]

Another great video Tim. Thanks!

[@royd63uk]

great info once again..just purchased and read your book here in the UK...loved it

[@HectorPastor]

Good tips!! Thanks!! 👍

[@klackon1]

Approach slowly, quietly and close to the ground in order not to appear threatening. Just like a cat, you mean. I had to smile. I do understand, though, I was a soldier for many years. I use the stop and take an image or two before attempting to close on the subject technique. My favourites are those that wait until you lift your camera to your eye before taking off. I never swear at them.

[@jhellier]

you never swear at them? is that sarcasm :)

[@brentdrafts2290]

Thanks for the tips.

[@gordroberts53]

Very helpful, Tim Thanks

[@GodwitMediaLLC]

Thanks!

[@Mthompson4545]

These are wonderful tips!

[@GodwitMediaLLC]

+Mick Thompson Thanks Mick

[@MrGflan]

Good stuff Tim!! You know what’s funny? Years ago when I was using my 70-200mm first L lens, I was forced to get creative and stealthy. I was able to get really close from being careful. When we have the big lenses for some of us, we get a little sloppy and clunky. These tips do help for sure. Do you find that color clothing affects you? These guys in full camouflage in public parks always make me laugh a little. The birds usually don’t care in my experience. Maybe a bright red shirt is not a good idea though. Thoughts?

[@GodwitMediaLLC]

I personally don't think camouflage makes any difference. Bright red or yellow might though. Movement and noise is the scariest for birds. I have friends that wear camo, and they think it helps. Thanks

[@DiviPhotos]

Great video

[@BobSouthDakota]

Great video Tim! Very useful tips, I always learn something new from you. By the way, I purchased a like new Visual Echoes panning plate online for $75.00 and love it.

[@GodwitMediaLLC]

Thank you and glad the Better Beamer Flash Extender is working for you!

[@OhSoCheesy]

@@GodwitMediaLLC Tim I would love for you to do an in-depth video on how (which you touched on in another video), when, and under what circumstances you use the Beamer/Flash. Thanks for all you do to teach us. I plan on coming on a workshop with you , but I have one left in college, so it'll probably be a year or more. Looking forward to it anyway. Thanks! Brian

[@technor007]

Fantastic tips, I loved your video! I am going to apply them during tomorrow morning's shoot! One question though if you can help please - I am told by many to wear camo dress for birding. Does it help to get closer to the bird or at getting a better shot of the bird?

[@GodwitMediaLLC]

Well, I don't wear camo and you can see what kind of images I get. I have a friend that does wear camo, and he gets similar images to me, so I think it's more of a personal choice. The two things that I know scare birds are sudden loud noise and sudden movements. So I walk slowly and quietly and don't wear any camo. Good luck, have fun! Tim

[@technor007]

@@GodwitMediaLLC Thank you Tim for your quick response! Much appreciated!

[@jimfarrow3036]

I find shutter noise a big problem , any tips Tim, apart from a mirror less camera option 😀?

[@patrick.infante]

Which tripod do you recommend for birding?

[@GodwitMediaLLC]

I like the Robus bhpho.to/38DHwMW, and here's a link to the KZbin Review I did . kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoqZqJ-hft50sMU

[@bbqkid8]

Thanks for the tips. Do you find particular colors of clothing or even wearing camouflage makes a difference when approaching?

[@GodwitMediaLLC]

I wear mostly blue or tans, but I don't wear camo, I don't think camo is necessary -- the birds know we are there, it's not like we're fooling them with camo clothes on.

[@JessDemant]

When it comes to being silent, among other things, are the totally silent Sony A9 and Sony A9II the best solution and, besides, do they have no blackout for better tracking autofocus?

[@GodwitMediaLLC]

Most mirrorless cameras have a real silent mode not like DSLR which have a quieter mode not really a silent mode. I use Olympus gear and the AF and Silent modes work great. If you don't want lightweight more mobile gear like the Olympus 4/3's system, yes Sony is very good at AF and silent mode.

[@JessDemant]

​@@GodwitMediaLLC You're right, but the Sony A9 can shoot fast-moving subjects silently without blackout and banding at 20 frames per second, but I'm not quite sure if other mirrorless brands can do all this?

[@TimNunyerBizniz]

Hey, Tim. Do you have a flickr page?

[@GodwitMediaLLC]

Yes, but I haven't posted there in awhile. I'm on Instagram, and Facebook when not on KZbin.

[@aznstylepn0y]

That’s why I have a bird feeder. It’s much easier

[@rerolley]

Do you find that wearing camo helps?

[@allanjackson9370]

That would depend on the terrain and birds you are after, for example I normally shoot in the mountains and forests so I find a ghillie suit useful especially if there are other game around like deer etc. Just remember to custom it to the local terrain.

[@burkholdst.rudderberg3574]

I wear camo from head to toe ( even my Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens has a camo cover ). I always try to keep heavy foliage behind me. Also, if it is hunting season, try not to get shot!

[@VNtechplus01]

Crazy

[@Thebirdemoji]

There was a bird just now and i almost got to touch my Finger was 2 inches away Form him

[@MrTitusDenis]

If all the humans in the world would follow this advice, then maybe all the birds will be more trustworthy towards humans. There is no way any bird will trust a random person. Very very hard.

[@fletchlives8639]

I think I misunderstood the title of this video 😡