Bird Photography

The author uses a spool of ordinary linen thread, which enables him to retire to any distance desired. Each method has its advantages, the chief ones of the latter being perhaps the slight expense involved, the small weight to carry on field-trips, and the easy adaptability to any desired length. The advantages of the rubber tubing are that it is not disturbed by the wind and there is not the risk of the shutter's being operated accidentally that there is with the thread. The author has used the thread entirely in his work, and has found it on the whole quite satisfactory, though perhaps, everything considered, the tubing may be superior.

Time to photograph. - In order to approach a bird closely enough to photograph it, one must take advantage of some strong instinct, or feeling, which will offset the fear caused by the nearness of the camera. The two feelings which may be used to the best advantage are the parental instinct shown in rearing the young, and the feeling of hunger. Opportunity for using the former means is furnished by those birds which nest in houses; and for using the latter means by those which will come to the winter feast.

Photographing Birds at Nesting-houses. - It has been the author's experience that the birds which nest around buildings or come there for food have become so tame and accustomed to the proximity of human beings that they can be photographed with great ease. With both bluebirds and house wrens, almost as soon as the camera was in position the birds came to the nest, and it was necessary for the operator to retire only a short distance, and in some cases probably he might have remained at the camera. The opportunity offered of securing photographs with but little trouble is an excellent one. If the house is in a position difficult of access for setting up the camera, it may easily be lowered without alarming the birds, and then replaced in its first position after the pictures have been secured. The author has tried this with both bluebirds and wrens, and the feeding of the young went on as usual after the house had been changed, although in one case the male bluebird came much less frequently to the nest.

As a convenience in moving the house, the reader is referred to the method of putting up houses explained on pages 78 and 79. An observation box, made as suggested on pages 20 and 21, allows opportunity for photographing the young as well as the old birds.