Saturday, April 9, 2011

All I get is butt shots!

Ok, so, I haven't posted in months. I ran in to someone today and they said "All I get is butt shots!"

I think I might be able to help, and this seemed a like a good topic to tackle.

It just so happens that while browsing past images this one struck me. I had already done the edit, and tonight framed it and added a logo.

Ice Landing

So, first thing is - sometimes a butt shot is ok and cool.

But if what is happening is that every time you see a bird it flies away, then yeah, that's a problem.

Birds will do what they are doing until they want to do something else. If you are not there they will do their own thing. If you are there, you can either watch and see what they'd do on their own, or you can influence things and then see their reaction. The trick really is to be observant, and to tell when your presence is affecting things.

With some observation, you can start to guess at what might or might not cause the flight-response.

I've even used that simple premise as a way to get CLOSER to birds. Here's how - if I see a bird, I'm watching, and I see someone else on a trajectory towards me and the bird, I will back off. Give the bird lots of room, so I am no longer a part of the equation. Then I (sometimes, and sometimes succeeding) have tried to predict what the person approaching might do, and what the bird might react by doing. Then I've moved and sat or positioned myself in a non-threatening position, and waited. It doesn't always work out, but some times it does.

Butts shouldn't always be seen as a bad thing.

Sushi Connaisseur

But if that's all you get to see you need to rethink your approach and try to think like the bird a little.

If you are approaching to the point that the bird always flies away, then, you need to not approach so close and learn to read the birds better. Some birds don't like friends and will always fly away (like a kingfisher) but others will tolerate you if you do it right.


Other things you can do to limit your impact when out looking for birds are:

  • turn off cell phone

  • travel alone

  • put the sun at YOUR back

  • secure your car keys so they make no sound

  • secure your camera gear so it makes no sound

  • wear camo or colors that don't jump out (contrast-wise) while out shooting


  • Good luck,
    -Jon



    Nikographer.com / Jon
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    5 comments:

    Delmarvagrapher said...

    good to see you back... Bill Gorton aka Delmarvagrapher

    Tammy said...

    haha....boy, can I relate to that ;)

    Anonymous said...

    Yes, I can completely relate to that, being a safari guide it's a common problem, but if you read the animals and the situation, be patient and respectful you can get some great images.
    As you say a butt shot is not always a bad thing either!
    Thank you
    Daniel Peel

    Anonymous said...

    Yes, I can completely relate to that, being a safari guide it's a common problem, but if you read the animals and the situation, be patient and respectful you can get some great images.
    As you say a butt shot is not always a bad thing either!
    Thank you
    Daniel Peel

    Joshua Kirton said...

    Some times a but shot is a good shot. Nice picture.