If a bird calls in the forest does anybody hear? Tips on becoming a better bird photographer

Silence is golden unless you are listening to the birds. As a professional wildlife photographer listening to and understanding nature plays a huge part in my success. In this video we will take a look at some of the sounds that can alert you to great finds and how the Merlin app can help you grow as both a birder and bird photographer leading to greater success and enjoyment in nature.
Any one that has spent anytime as a wildlife photographer will have heard people say you are so lucky to see all these birds and critters I never see anything when I go out hiking, and then the following weekend you will hear them and their hiking partners from a ½ mile away as they loudly make their way down the trail. Yes they are scaring things away but more importantly they are not listening to the forest and that’s what this weeks video is about. If you want to be a better wildlife photographer listening and also understanding what the forest is telling you is vital to your success.
Once spring rolls around learning your bird calls is imperative. You can go about this the old school way with a pair of binoculars and just head out into the field and try and find the bird that’s calling, but when a single bewicks wren can have up to 22 different songs, combine that with calls, chirps and alarm calls on top of regional dialect you get the idea it would be a lifetime just trying to learn the birds in your area. Most birding apps have bird calls as part of them and work great for figuring out whats calling especially if you are already a good birder with a good understanding of what to expect in a certain habitat but the latest advancement in AI is now being utilized in the Merlin app to help you take your bird knowledge and photography to the next level. Let’s head out into the field and put it to the test. One of the hardest things starting out is what to expect where, and is one of my biggest gripes with thing like ebird where you get a point on a map for a bird location go there grab the shot but may never learn anything from it. While going for a hike and listening and watching you will start to gain a much deeper knowledge of the what lives in certain habitats.
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/ @raincoastphoto
/ raincoastphoto
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[@alanclark4951]

Great description of the benefits of using this app and wildlife awareness. Video quality is amazing.I have been using my z8 and 180-600 for mainly stills, but will want to start shooting video with this setup. Alan,NS

[@raincoastphoto]

Thanks Alan, I need to give that lens a try, hopefully can get my hands on one soon. I have been really enjoying shooting video on the z8. Cheers

[@myfakeguuglaccount8307]

I missed an awesome opportunity a couple of days ago. My wife had let the pup out to do his business on a leash. A hawk flew in and perched in one of our edge trees to check out the 16-lb'er he decided against. Wish I'd been out there with them; been trying to snap that hawk.

[@raincoastphoto]

Lol yeah always the way, the number of times I have come home to hear about what crazy bird was in the yard.