[fionaB]

well i know we have some people here that are absolutely fantastic when it comes to shooting birds, but i have spent the last year trying in vain to get our garden birds to allow me to shoot them........... finally i managed to get a couple! unfortunately it wasnt the green finch or coal tit but just a couple of sparrows, was so pleased with myself i ust had to show them! lol

Fi

[namllihs]

I could sit and watch the birds on our feeder for hours, so relaxing. Nice to see a few Sparrows about.

[fionaB]

a few???????????? we have at least 20 -30 every day at our feeders..EXCEPT when i appear with the camera! they hate me! lol

thanx for the comment

Fi

[Foxesbrew]

Do you have to go out Fi i have a flock of sparrows in a large shrub outside the window of my den ,they are a constant delight to watch and to photograph .I f you can get a view of them through a window it should not disturb them. Looked at closely they are really pretty little birds.Well worth a bit of effort to get a good shot of them.

[fionaB]

yeps unfortunately i have to go out as i have a large slabbed area before i get to the feeders even on full zoom it needs to be closer! i have sat out in all weathers trying to let them get used to me being there, fingers crossed its working! I would just like to get a couple of the blue tits or coal tit when its down cos its a beautiful bird! considering where i live im lucky to get anything lol

[Foxesbrew]

I'm not sure that having feed available all the time is the right approach,if you scatter feed when you go out the birds come to associate food with you .I have observed a variety of small bird s at picnic sites feedtng in close proximity with people some even feeding from the hand.I do not advocate this practice in the real winter when i think feed should be always available.

[fionaB]

I know what you mean Fb, but first and foremost the feeders are there for the birds , me photographing them is secondary. Although i do have to remind myself that at times!

Fiona

[Dabhand16]

Maybe a makeshift hide would be the answer? Does not have to be elaborate, just some kind of shield so they can't see you.

[Rob Barron]

I love the first one Fi, really captures the bird in an interesting position and enough (maybe a touch too much, would it stand a bit more crop?) space around it. Second pic is justa bird on the bird table, no real interest for me there.

If you can grab a few more like that first one, you'll be doing really well. And do go comparing your shots to someone like Keith Tate, very few of us can come close to his amazing shots, he's superb at ornithological photos. If we compare ourselves to others all the time, we will always find some people better than us and become discouraged. Your pics have progressed such a long way since I have known you over the last 18 months to two years so just focus on that :o)

Cheers,
Rob