Ground level

I decided to do some ground level bird photography in my backyard today (March 28).   I've noticed that seed that falls from my feeders to the ground attracts some different birds - like Cardinals.  Since this is my backyard, I have some control.  I placed a small log on the ground and put some leaves around it to make it look natural.  I wanted to take photos of a bird standing on the log.  To encourage the bird, I drilled a hole in the log and placed bird seed into it.

I purchased a GorillaPod a couple of years ago.  It seemed like a good idea for travel but I didn't like it so it didn't get used.  I needed it today. None of my other tripods would go as low to the ground as I needed to go.  

I used a 28 to 135mm lens for the shots.  Even when I zoomed to 135mm, I was too close to the birds.  I decided to use a wireless remote. This seemed like a perfect situation to use my newly acquired CamRanger.  Unfortunately, the camera I set up doesn't have Live View and CamRanger needs it.  I prefocused the camera on a spot on the log by placing a pill bottle where I wanted the bird to go and focusing on the fine print on the bottle.  I put a remote release on the camera so that I could sit in the background and trip the shutter when it was needed.

My favorite shot was of a Mourning Dove.  The ground level view works perfectly for it.

This White-breasted Nuthatch stopped by for some seeds.

An American Robin wasn't interested in the seeds but did enjoy scattering the leaves.

I wanted to get a shot of the Cardinal.  It came but never entered the zone that was in focus.  Perhaps next time.

A Pair of Hawks

The cries of a Blue Jay alerted me to a problem in the back yard.  A hawk had been spotted.  All of the small birds around the bird feeders were gone.  I saw flapping wings and a red tail as the hawk spotted me nearing my kitchen window.  The hawk settled into a tree on the other side of the second hole of the Fontenelle Hills golf course.  He intended to wait for me to leave.

It didn't take long to set up my tripod, attach my camera and focus on the hawk.  Never underestimate the value of preparation and practice when fast action is required.  The hawk was still there.  In fact, it had been joined by another.

My kitchen window wasn't sparkling clean, but I took a few shots anyway.  I knew that the hawks would leave if they sensed any danger.  Even with over 100 yards of distance and over 30 vertical feet of loess canyon between us, they would remain cautious.

I knew I could do better without the window glass, so with several shots on the card, I decided to risk disturbing the hawks.  I set the camera up by my patio door and had my wife slowly open it until I had a view that was completely free of glass.  To my surprise, the hawks remained.  Unfortunately, the 20 degree outside air rushed in and the 70 degree air in the room rushed out,  The distortion caused by the differences in heat were worse than dirty glass.

I decided to risk moving outside.  My sun porch is next to the kitchen.   It is unheated and has a view of the backyard.  With considerable stealth I moved out to the porch and secured the screen door open.  One hawk flew away.  The other remained for a few more seconds before leaving as well.

I used a Canon 1D Mark IV with an 800mm lens for this photo.  The image above is cropped - its about 10% of the frame.