Page 17 - Backyard Bird Photography: How to Attract Birds to Your Home and Create Beautiful Photographs

Sometimes, positioning the bird’s face at the top of the frame is effective, as this allows

you to show the rest of his body in your photograph. When taking close shots of the
Hooded Oriole from seven feet away, I was able to fill the frame just as the bird landed on
his perch, but before he had turned his body toward the feeder hole to drink the sugar
water. In order to achieve this, I look through the viewfinder as the bird lands on the pole
from which the oriole feeder is hanging. I can see the oriole feeder start to jiggle around

just as the bird drops down to the feeder hole on the far side of the feeder, over which I
have placed a white adhesive label to prevent him from feeding there. In an instant, I know
that he will hop over to his regular perch with his body facing me for a moment, so I start
clicking the shutter as soon as he moves into the frame and I can use the autofocus on his
eye. Pressing down on the shutter in high-speed continuous shooting mode, I let the AI
Servo AF setting of the camera lock in the focus, and if I am fortunate, I can capture a
photograph of this shy bird from close range and in a fascinating pose.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Hooded Oriole
In the case of the Hooded Oriole, this particular male and his mate are more than likely
the same individuals who have been visiting my garden for a number of years, and over
time, they have become accustomed to the noise of the camera from inside my TV-room