My Floating Hide Setup for Bird Photography

I often get asked about how I designed and built my floating hide. Well here it is, I finally got around to showing you how I designed and created this floating hide and explain some of my design choices. Floating hide bird photography seems to be getting more and more popular so I thought this might help those looking to make their own version. Enjoy these videos of me out using my floating hide in the water.
• In the Floating Hide w...
• Photographing Pied-bil...

[@iRidetas]

Pure genius. Thank you Ray for some awesome ideas

[@paulpugh6178]

Excellent 👏👏👏

[@azdigbee]

Well designed. Simple, portable and strong ! 👍

[@RayHennessy]

Thanks!

[@kipcotter5374]

Top shelf, Ray!

[@RayHennessy]

Thanks!

[@CamillaI]

Great floating set up love the stability 👍😍

[@RayHennessy]

Thanks so much.

[@ZhayynnJamesPhotography]

You champion! So cool to see you walk through your thought process and who and why you made mods to this design. Thank you for sharing this Ray!

[@RayHennessy]

Sure thing, thanks for watching.

[@paulrorr1]

love it great job

[@RayHennessy]

Thanks so much.

[@zfisher]

Awesome setup, really creative

[@RayHennessy]

Thanks Zach!

[@cynthiabonnes9717]

I need this!! I may give this a shot. So frustrated with fearing stability when wading. Thank you, Ray!! Very generous to share with all of us.

[@RayHennessy]

It's a lot of work to shoot this way but a lot of fun!

[@KobusGevelspar]

Nice! I made mine from a belly boat, frame and a tent on top. I can also swim with it. Love shooting with it too 😀

[@johnepattison]

Brilliant.

[@RayHennessy]

Thanks.

[@adrianharris9091]

Congratulations on your excellent design. It is well though out and extremely simple and efficient. I am fully aware that simple effective design takes a lot more effort than most people realise. Also well filmed and presented with clear dialogue. Thank you.

[@RayHennessy]

Thanks so much!

[@BayouJosh]

Nicely done brother. that is some great engineering. that's the best design I've ever seen.

[@RayHennessy]

Thanks so much Josh.

[@soumenroychowdhuryphotogra864]

Amazing setup ray🔥🔥🔥

[@RayHennessy]

Thanks so much.

[@19Photographer76]

Great job Ray! Just a thought from a rig I made many years ago, drill some holes in the post to insert retaining pins, the post won't slip past the inserted pin. You don't need to worry or tighten the retaining twist clamp, not needed.

[@RayHennessy]

Yeah, that's a good idea. I never use the thing anymore but if I did I would likely make that modification. Thanks!

[@postcardswithkevan]

absolutely love this... now my third video of me watching different people making floating blinds. It is so creative and fun.

[@RayHennessy]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed!

[@azdigbee]

Aquatic snakes, Gators and Snappers down here !

[@RayHennessy]

Probably not the best place for getting in the water!

[@FernandoTrindadePT]

You can make two diameter oriented holes in the support tube that holds the camera at a minimum height, so that you pass a "pin" trough it that would not allow the camera to descend more that "x cms" Then you would have the twin bars on the bootom but ALSO the safety pin trough the tripod tube that would not fall :) Great idea, the boards :) Love it.

[@RayHennessy]

That certainly would be a nice additional safety feature, thanks for the suggestion. I don't really use the float hide anymore but if I did I would certainly consider that!

[@Histogramas]

@@RayHennessy really? Hope it was by choice and not by need due to something bad. Anyways, thanks, you gave me some ideas on how to build mine. I don't like the ones with inflatable floaters and yours is actually very cool to build.

[@RayHennessy]

@@Histogramas I prefer to shoot my 300mm f/4 + 1.4x TC in an under water housing, that way I can be much smaller and don't have to worry about the water at all. Gives me a lot more freedom to shoot birds in and around the water!

[@Histogramas]

@@RayHennessy underwater housings are great. I have around 10 with different domes and ports, specific for each set I need for my scuba diving underwater video and photo works. People use that kind of setup you use, also for surf photography along with some water repelent on the glass of the port so that they won't spend lots of time cleaning water droplets. Do you use it?

[@RayHennessy]

@@Histogramas yes I just use the surf housing with a 70-200mm port that I throw the longer lens in and I use wax on the front which keeps the water drops off within reason, except for when I'm in really dirty water then it only lasts so long haha. But it's fun shooting with part of the lens UW and shooting into the sun which gives wild effects!

Great floating hide! I made mine sooo much different, Your's looks really lightweight tho! nice set up

[@RayHennessy]

Thanks for watching and for the feedback. It is pretty light that is for sure.

[@ivorgottschalk6432]

Thanks Ray! Using two boards was ingenious and must make it so much more stable. One question, how did you attach the centre column to the frame?

[@RayHennessy]

Thanks for watching Ivor. I bent random metal to make it fit.

[@kevinmackey6487]

This is such a cool idea! I’ve been looking into making one of these for a few months now and your design looks stable, lightweight and compact for transport. I’m thinking of giving it a try myself. What size boards did you end up using?

[@RayHennessy]

Thanks so much and good luck. They were regular full sized adult boards.

[@karenfrybelove]

Hi Ray! I’ve got my boards and table. How did you attach the table pieces to the boogie boards? I’m excited to put mine together.

[@RayHennessy]

Wonderful! I used stainless bolts and large washers. I also put a sheet of plexiglass on the top so the nuts and washers wouldn't pull through the soft foam top. The bottom was hard enough it didn't need that with the large washers I used.

[@karenfrybelove]

@@RayHennessy Thank you so much! You're awesome!

[@SomeonewithaSony]

Genius (or is it “ingenious”? Either way...fantastic)

[@RayHennessy]

Haha, thanks!

[@erichholton]

What dry suit do you have? Do you have a link?

[@RayHennessy]

It’s on my website under the gear list at rayhennessy.com/faq

[@hautehussey]

Doesn’t having the camera mounted from the top down obscure your vision of the birds?

[@RayHennessy]

That hasn't been an issue in my use.