Setting Up a Feeding Station for Bird Photography using the Olympus EM1X

In this video I show a new location on private land were I have set up a bird feeding station for photography. I show how I went about setting set it up and the props I use. I also show to make a plastic cement mixing tray look like a natural pond. I show the range of birds coming to this location using both still and video images photographed using the Olympus EM1X camera combiuned with the 40-150mm F2.8 lens and the MC14 converter.

[@franciscojavierramosballes9926]

Fenomenal como todos los videos. Felicidades

[@rogerhance5883]

gracias francisco Es muy amable de su parte decir eso. Intento que los videos sean lo más informativos posible, por lo que sus comentarios son muy apreciados.

[@patthompson1253]

Thanks Roger. this was full of great information. I've subscribed!

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks for the kind comment Pat, and also for subscribing. Glad you found it helpful.

[@Jennybrigden]

You are an inspiration. I love how you don’t waste money on buying unnecessary stuff. Love the meal worm idea. I am going to set up a station like yours ….with my husbands help! Thank you so much for sharing your incredible knowledge.

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks for the very kind comment Jenny. Glad you found it helpful. I try to make my videos as helpful as possible.

[@welovenature1512]

Amazing shots. Very nicely done and more informative. Thank you. Lots of new and beautiful shots.

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks for the kind comments

[@kevins8575]

Very nicely done! Thanks

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks very much Kevin. Comments much appreciated and glad you enjoyed ut.

[@mortenholm100]

lovely video, great work.

[@rogerhance5883]

Thank you Morten. Glad you liked it.

[@jimfarrow3036]

Great video some good tips which I will certainly use😄

[@rogerhance5883]

Cheers Jim. Much appreciated .

[@martinleech9465]

Thank you Roger, that was brilliant and some great advice. I am sure you will get some fantastic images from your new set up.

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks Martin. Much appreciated

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Your best yet Roger. My feeder sites continue to be very poor. Used to get that many finches, but no longer.

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks MIke. I was pleased with how this one turned out. I found the feeder site at my old location was becoming poor, but this new one looks quite promising .

[@cerealkiller4248]

I love watching how other photographers get their images, very nice set up which is producing great results already. Perhaps time for another video on it, what worked for you and what didn’t..................... ???

[@rogerhance5883]

Good idea.

[@davidosborn3356]

Super interesting video Roger. Some super shots at the end and like you I think you’ll find the set up exceptionally productive in the winter. Keep up the good work.

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks David.

[@smiffywildlife]

Very enjoyable and informative Roger. I have been thinking about a small bathing/ drinking pool close to my hide, you've inspired me to go it now seeing your success, and so quickly. I'd thought of using the builders spot/tray but didn't like the edge situation, but you've solved that issue also. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience, much appreciated. I've contacted you from your blog page regarding another question. Thank you. Phil.

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks smiffywildlife for your kind comments about the video. I have answered you contact from my contact page.

[@davidblake3941]

Great set up Roger

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks David. Much appreciated

[@catherinetremerryn]

A wonderful video with some amazing results. It’s very reassuring seeing your results using that lens and teleconverter.

[@rogerhance5883]

Thank you Catherine. Glad you liked it and found it helpful. I will be posting more videos from this location as soon as I am more mobile. To be honest, the MC14 hardly comes off of my 40-150mm lens. I see no difference in sharpness between shots taken with the straight 40-150mm , and the 40-150mm + the MC14 converter.

[@sanclewphotographic]

Cracking Video Roger, I am not a wild life photographer, Seascape and Landscape being my preferred choice, but seeing the stunning images you take of the birds, I wouldn't mind having a go, I have been a Olympus user for over 40 years, starting with film and progressing to the present Cameras, currently using the OMD- Em1 Mk.3 and an old Olympus PEN-F which still takes stunning images, Is it in your opinion worth me buying the new OM1 is it a lot better than the previous models, Regards, Colin.

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks for the kind comment Colin. The OM1 is a cracking camera, but I could easily have done all of these shots with my EM1 mkIII. ( because I was using manual focus ) Were the OM1 will beat the EM1mkIII is for `tracking a bird in flight`. eg. If photographing a bird in flight like a Gannet, Red Kite , Barn Owl etc. For a lot of my photography the EM1mkIII is fine . You can use it for birds in flight, but the number of `keepers` you achieve would be far higher with the OM1. I hope that answers you question.

[@alanryder]

Enjoyable and informative - thank you Roger. Getting access to a site similar to yours on private land would be fantastic but I need to find an agreeable landowner first - that's the hard part! Nonetheless, some useful hints and tips - thank you.

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks for the kind comment about the video Alan. You are exactly right. Getting the access to private land where there are a lot of birds is the hard part. I say to the landowner that I can supply them with any pictures that I take there. When you say that, it will often help to get permission. (although not always !)

[@alandixon5144]

Some great tips here Roger, I have already set up my bathing pool in a similar way to yours and am going to add the feeding station this week. If I get as many birds as this I shall be amazed!

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks for the kind comment about the tips Alan. I try to make these videos as heplful as possible. Good luck with the number of birds at the new feeding station. I was amazed at how many I get, and also how soon the started coming to the feeders.

[@petedraper5185]

Cracking video: I am fortunate to have access to private land, but it doesn't have anywhere near the number of birds seen in this video. I use a Nitehawk chair hide with my set up with my EM1X, 300mm f4 +/- MC14/MC20 and EM1.3 + PanaLeica 200mm f2.8.

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks for the comment about the video. Much appreciated

[@markchambers8826]

Great video. Hypertufa for covering the edges - In a bucket, mix one part Portland cement, one part building sand and one part peat with water. Once it’s nice and viscous, smear it all over the surface of your container.

[@tarjeijensen7237]

I'm getting a lot of good tips from your videos. Stuff I would not have thought of on my own. I've been thinking about a pond. I've decided to use a plastic tray for shoes instead of the cement mixing tray. It may be that the shoe tray is longer. It is available from IKEA. For a table, I'm thinking of using an ironing board or something similar. Using glue and using mud for colour is brilliant. I've spent a lot of time thinking about where I can get hold of dark sand. As for the hide, I've been thinking about using a plastic cover for a pallet and cover it with burlap. Possibly burlap painted with textile colouring. To keep it upright I can use bamboo or plastic poles from a garden center. If I need something on the ground, I'll try to get hold of a pallet.

[@rogerhance5883]

Glad you have found the tips in the videos helpful. Sounds like you set up should prove successful.

[@mladner7760]

Informative video Roger, I’m looking to set something up in my garden, like the idea of the cement mixing tray. I too have one of those canvas hides must have had it for nearly 30 years now, haven’t used it for ages. Got an old shed I dismantled last year so planning on using the panels tom make a permanent hide.

[@rogerhance5883]

Glad you enjoyed the video Mick. Those Jamie Wood hides are now `collectors items` (ha ha) so dont throw it away !

[@billsly5732]

Very nice video and informative . Can you please tell me what camera settings you are using to get such sharp images. Just moved to the E-m1x system and struggling with setting it up or perhaps a video of your setting up the camera.

[@rogerhance5883]

Glad you liked the video and found it helpful. I think a video on the setting I use for the EM1X would be a good topic for a future video.

[@alesjaks6683]

Great and inspiring video. What do you feed the goldfinches?

[@rogerhance5883]

Niger Seeds and Sunflower hearts

[@ridealongwithrandy]

Great stuff! Amazing photography of the birds,but wait! Olympus can not make such photos!. I love my EM1X, both of them and the pro lenses and do a fair amount of good photography. Love your setup, however, I have a young cat who can clear 6+ feet from the ground, and I have to hang my feeders up high in my tree. Lately, I have been using flash and shooting out my living room window and have made some neat very close shots. Cheers!

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks for the kind comment