Back Yard Photography in Summer

Most people (birders, that is!) that I know feed their back yard avian visitors during the cooler winter months. When spring ushers in warmer weather, they quit filling their feeders. While it is true more natural  
food such as insects and berries can be found then, I continue to attract birds to my feeders year-round. Spring and summer birds, often migrants, are different species than my regular winter visitors. They will readily accept feed and afford me excellent photo opportunities.  Migrating birds, weary from travel are grateful to find my hopper feeder full - often, they gorge on nuts, seeds, and suet, oblivious to me and my camera only 15'-20' away.  This year has been especially good for nesting birds in and around my property in central Oklahoma. For the second year in a row, I have a nesting pair of Painted Buntings.  8-10 times per day, the male visits his favorite ground feeder which I keep stocked with fresh seeds. Normally a most wary species, this guy is unusually bold, allowing me to photograph him at close range  The feeder is under a large tree in a shaded area, so I use flash to illuminate his iridescent feathers. He's a beauty!     

I have found that by remaining almost motionless, most birds near my feeder area will accept me. Camouflage clothing is not required, nor is a blind. If you must move, make slow deliberate moves,
stopping often. Birds will usually show signs of stress just before they take flight, so watch for those telltale signs that your movement is disturbing them. Our resident Eastern Bluebird pair is now about to hatch their second brood. I place mealworms in  a specially constructed open feeder for them. One whistle is all it takes for them to know their dinner has arrived. Water is key during hot weather. Birds are attracted to dripping water.  You can purchase the kind seen here that attaches to a birdbath at most of the discount outlets or bird seed stores.  It will draw in even the shy birds when they are thirsty. And, the water remains fresh at all times. There is always a crowd around the bird bath in the afternoon and the birds jockey for position to see who can be next up to get a drink from the dripper!  Your own back yard can be the best summer spot for photographing birds during the summer months - try it, you'll like it!

I'll see you in the field!

Both images taken with Canon EOS IV, 600 F4 lens w/1.4X teleconverter, 550 EX flash
mounted on a Gitzo 1548 carbon fiber tripod topped with an Wimberley head

Exposure data
Painted Bunting: 1/200 @ F8 with fill-flash