The Cornell Lab Bird Academy Discussion Groups Bird Photography with Melissa Groo Practice Understanding Birds for Better Photos

    • David
      Participant
      Chirps: 1
      I, too, am intimidated by the quality of the photographs submitted thus far. They encourage me to improve. I try to be a faithful student and follow directions, so I decided to research two birds that I had hoped to see yesterday. They were the Black-tailed Gnatcatcher and the Black-capped Gnatcatcher. Both had been seen on on the slopes of Montosa Canyon which includes their natural habitat of isolation, slopes and mesquite trees. Unfortunately on a gray day, I neither heard nor saw them. It was uncharacteristically quiet in the canyon. Eager to fulfill my assignment, I switched to the only birds I was hearing, Bell's Vireos and Northern Cardinals. My Bell's photos were very poor and the Cardinal was pretty far away. It was the best I could do. I did my research but not on the bird I photographed, the commonly seen Cardinal. Northern Cardinal
      • Kitty
        Participant
        Chirps: 2
        I like your cardinal photo! The cardinal really stands out from the greenery behind. I am learning to expect the unexpected. We can plan for what we want to see and photograph, but we really just need to be open and ready to be awed by what we come across. That is part of the fun!
      • Mary
        Participant
        Chirps: 90
        We are all learning bird photography, so no worries. I love seeing the birds and if I get a photo then it is a bonus!
    • Phil
      Participant
      Chirps: 1
      I very much appreciate this lesson on responsibility. I have a question from a later lesson. You recommend using a teleconverter. My camera is a Nikon D5300. My long lense is a Nikon AF-S Nikkor 80-400 1:4.5-5.6G. What teleconverter do you recommend ? Thank you very much 🙏   Phil Fitzpatrick bgaldoflife@yahoo.com
      • Hello Phil,   Welcome to the course. Melissa isn't a full time staff member so she won't be on here to answer questions. The discussion boards are peer to peer for the most part. However we do have several more advanced photographers on here that might have a suggestion for you on this.  Melissa will indeed talk about teleconverters in the lesson about gear. I hope you and everyone enjoy the course. When you post questions you should come back at a later date to look for replies.
      • Fred
        Participant
        Chirps: 10
        The Nikon 1.4 teleconverter will cost you one f stop so your maximum aperture at 400 mm will be f8. Most Nikon DSLRs will auto focus at f8, but not all. Make sure you check Nikon's web site for compatibility info.
    • Siddhesh
      Participant
      Chirps: 5
      This was my first successful sighting and close observation of a bird! Common name: Common Wagtail Scientific name: Motacilla alba Bird1_1 I recently began observing birds in my surroundings. This was one of the commonly encountered species in the garden and surroundings with ample fresh water. Observation: This species appeared almost daily and at different times of the day. One interesting observation was (correct me if I am wrong), that it tried to keep its radius of food capture constant. When I tried to go near it (15 feet away), it flew away to the next perch, whoch was about 30 feet away. However, as I kept still and sat there for a while, it returned to its radius of food search. Also, it seemed to be a pretty confident bird. I also saw a second one, which it tried to follow. I do not clearly understand if it was an opposite gender, since the information about the bird says that it breeds throughout the year, but especially from July till December. I think the research I did at the beginning helped me to know which species are commonly found and I can hope to see most of the times during the day. This also means that I had more chances of spotting it. I look forward to learning and applying it in the field. Thanks, Siddhesh
    • Francisco
      Participant
      Chirps: 3
      Lately I had been trying to photograph the birds on a garden in Mexico City. I like the bronzed cowbird, for its              red eyes and it´s mating display, the male will it inflate itself and hover above the female. This bird lives all year round here, I didn´t know it is a brood parasite.
    • Francisco
      Participant
      Chirps: 3
      IMG_0011 (2)IMG_0022 (2)
    • Scott
      Participant
      Chirps: 1
      I've primarily been photographing from our porch and yard, but I was certainly surprised by how uncommonly beautiful the common grackle is.  I've taken to peeking over our fence (with the help of an upturned bucket) into the neighboring field where they tend to feed so as not to startle them! I've been lucky once or twice and already been waiting on the porch when they've landed closer, and managed to catch this stunning male on our arch! I've also started taking my camera with me when I bike, so I can stop by one of the local ponds and capture the wildlife there. Even a few minutes away, the difference in diversity is striking. DSC_0044DSC_0047DSC_0051
      • Kabita
        Participant
        Chirps: 4
        Wow Scott you have captured some real emotions and expressions. First impression I got going through your pictures was something like..... "Who is that spying on me?? ... "Ahhh I will be fine ....."  ..... "No, its not ... here I come... watch out ... " Awesome.
      • Doug
        Participant
        Chirps: 13
        hello Scott, Great shots. I also find the grackle to be a pretty bird to photograph especially with his irridescence and contrasting yellow eye. I am an avid cyclist and often sight birds when I am riding my bike. I have a bid telephoto lens though so I am wary of carrying it on my bike in a backpack. I was wondering how you manage carrying a camera and biking? Any advice?
    • Cynthia
      Participant
      Chirps: 9
      After my first less than thrilling early morning sit spot, I went to the bay and carefully and slowly  zig-zagged down a pier to sit for awhile. Although blazing hot, it turned out to be a much better spot for this time of year. I was able to practice trying to shoot birds in flight, diving for fish, but I realize that I need to work on my lighting as many of the birds just blended into the background - the sky was a bright light blue. I am really looking forward to delving into the next lessons on how to use the setting on my camera to optimize my outings. My best pictures were still shots of laughing gulls. I was using my 200-500mm lens so I was able to get some close up shots without interfering with their environment. My favorite shot - gull yoga - tree pose. C592AAE4-483A-4C51-9CFC-A1E1E535220E
      • Kabita
        Participant
        Chirps: 4
        So interesting gull yoga. I am more inclined to call it Ekapadasana (One foot pose) rather than tree pose :) Nice one Cynthia.
      • Mary
        Participant
        Chirps: 90
        Now that is a pose one will not see everyday! Cool!
      • Dana
        Participant
        Chirps: 12
        This photo made me chuckle, but Cynthia, your comment had me hooting! Thanks. Dana
    • Karin
      Participant
      Chirps: 2
      I went last week to a park where Wood Ducks are reliably found. To my surprise there were no males, but I found a female with her babies sitting on a log. In my excitement, I moved too quickly and the family left the log. I have the Canon 7D MKII and always forget that the exposure meter is awkwardly placed to the far right, out of view with a normal look through the viewfinder. So I had to lighten up the image. It takes some effort and a little time to see the exposure meter in this camera. I didn't even know it was there for the longest time. I did find a bird that looked like a wood duck but not exactly so I took a shot. I'm guessing it's a juvenile male because the markings match up with the male markings but the rest of the plumage colors are not there yet. It stumped me for quite a while. I can't even find a photo to match mine yet.
    • Karin
      Participant
      Chirps: 2
      Wood Duck F and Juveniles2-ed
    • Richard
      Participant
      Chirps: 7
      I found out that my area is a stop along the way during the winter spring migration of the sandhill. Each year in March the small town near the area holds a festival so getting to the wildlife area is a nightmare. So I went there days prior and there were only 2 photographers and 17,000 Sandhills.
    • Richard
      Participant
      Chirps: 7
      Sand Hill Cranes (100 of 127)
      • Laurie
        Participant
        Chirps: 6
        Smart to get there before the crowds! Love how you captured so many in flight in one shot.
      • Jeanne C.
        Participant
        Chirps: 7
        Gorgeous shot, thank you for sharing this amazing photo Laurie fullsizeoutput_8481 This photo was taken in Sarasota FL in 2019
      • Dana
        Participant
        Chirps: 12
        Awesome photo... I had always hoped to go to the midwest (I live in CA) to see sandhill cranes during migration, but recently was in Bolsa Chica FL with two old classmates and saw them in people's yards! They are endemic to that part of Florida. I felt so lucky to see them but did not have my camera!!. Dana
    • Lucy
      Participant
      Chirps: 24
      DSC_4465eWhile hiking I suddenly heard some Titmice making quite a fuss and I heard the high pitched call of a hawk. When I stopped to look and listen I realized there were 3 juvenile Cooper's Hawks calling for the parent to bring in dinner. I didn't have my camera on me because it was a new park and I was unsure of how safe it would be to carry an expensive camera around. I ran back to my car and came back knowing that based on past experience the juvenile birds would most likely remain in the area. When I got back to the spot the calling had stopped but in a short amount of time I was able to spot two of them in a tree. I took up a spot and waited. Soon they started calling out and I knew a parent was probably in the area. I had hoped to get a pic of the parent but he/she flew in pretty fast and just dropped the meal on a large limb and flew off. The two juveniles flew over and the one in this photo was faster and ended up with the meal. In my experience I usually hear the birds before seeing them and I have become familiar with types of calls such as alarm, calling for a mate, and even alerting to a parent in the area. DSC_4486e
      • Isabelle
        Participant
        Chirps: 59
        Awesome photos. I had a similar experience with Red-shouldered Hawks. It is very thrilling to see them eat their prey so close by.Mine was eating a squirrel and he let me take photos and movie for about 20m minutes! I am glad you witness that scene and shared your photos.
      • Lucy
        Participant
        Chirps: 24

        @Isabelle Yes - Always thrilling when you see a new species you haven't seen before or get to see them interacting or catching/eating prey. Thanks for your complement!

      • Fred
        Participant
        Chirps: 9
        Awesome capture! Excellent detail and slice of life detail of these magnificent birds.
      • Dika
        Participant
        Chirps: 13
        Beautiful images.  Your perseverance paid off.  Dika
      • Bill
        Participant
        Chirps: 4
        Beautiful pics.  I especially love the second one.  Nice job!
      • Doug
        Participant
        Chirps: 13

        @Bill Great shots. I have had that same experience with an Osprey eating a catfish he had just caught on a limb in close proximity to where he caught the fish.

    • Laura
      Participant
      Chirps: 4
      I have loved Sandhill Cranes for their exotic appearance.  In the past I've driven to watch them in fields where they have been known to congregate in migration season, and I have also been thrilled to come across a few or large number of them unexpectedly.  They are one of the few birds I can identify by voice as they fly overhead.  I used to think they only passed through my midwest area to more northern summer grounds, but my research shows that they spend the summer here, too.  I have been seeing them more often.  I was taking a walk through a forest preserve I had not visited before, and I came upon two sandhill cranes in a field.  I was surprised how close they let me come, as they seemed oblivious to cars nearby and to me.  I didn't want to scare them, so I stayed about 50 away.  IMG_1156
    • Meyer
      Participant
      Chirps: 1
      I've always known that there have been some Black-crested Titmice that love to forage in my backyard. They tend to stick around almost all year, too. I occasionally spot one of the birds jumping around in this large oak tree nearby my patio. After doing some research on their behaviors, I discovered that these acrobatic little guys that will cling upside-down to find insects to eat. After hearing some chirps on a gray spring afternoon, I quietly set up outside and waited for the bird to come for me. I eventually caught sight of the titmouse, and sure enough, after some waiting, it started hanging upside down. I was even able to capture this photo!DSC_0693
      • Isabelle
        Participant
        Chirps: 59
        He is sooo cute, love the photo. We have Oak Titmice here in California, they are very similar except that they are entirely grey.
      • Aidan
        Participant
        Chirps: 11

        @Isabelle here in NY, we have tufted titmice, look the same, but does not have the black cap. This picture looks great!

    • Phyllis
      Participant
      Chirps: 2
      DSCN2538DSCN2535 I chose to look for the Rock Sparrow, Petronia petronia (a life-list bird for me).  This is a bird that is found in rocky habitats throughout the Mediterranean, but has a north-south movement throughout the year in Israel.  Since we were in lockdown when it was in my area in the Negev desert in the spring, I went to Mt Hermon (3000 m) where it is easily found in June and July. I used three resources: eBird, Oiseaux birds and Wikipedia.  As to the description, eBird records it as “odd-looking, chunky, sparrow-like bird”, whereas Oiseaux is “very similar to the female House Sparrow”.  In my unschooled opinion it just looks like a sparrow, not odd at all.  Further to its appearance, a yellow spot on the throat is rarely visible in the field (eBird) which, indeed, is not visible in my photographs. However (Oiseaux) record that both females and males prefer mates with bright yellow spots.  It does have a streaked breast, brown head and pale yellow eyebrows. All sources were in agreement with it being found in arid, rocky habitats with short grass and Oiseaux has it as a “typical Mediterranean species”.  It feeds on seeds and berries throughout the year and insects when feeding nestlings. They are reported to nest in crevices in rocks or walls; so, it was very odd when I saw it at the mouth of a pipe. At first I thought it just landed there; this pipe was about 12 cm in diameter, stuck in the ground and at about a meter in height bent at a 45º angle. Since there is no sexual dimorphism I didn’t know if it was a male or female bring insects to the nestlings.  It perched in the open and had an upright stance holding the insect in its mouth.  I moved away to allow it to freely fly to its nest in the pipe.
      • Isabelle
        Participant
        Chirps: 59
        Enjoy reading your research! Very interesting.
    • denise
      Participant
      Chirps: 2
      I had no idea that, when doing this type of research, my chances of getting better poses and pictures would increase more and more. I'm really excited to go to the field to train what we have learned, but unfortunately I have to wait until the weekend where we have a country house. The bird I chose is a very beautiful, interesting, and especially agitated hummingbird which fascinates me. I have been watching and listening to this bird for the past two years and, among all the hummingbirds that we have in our mountains, this is the species that most amuses me. It is very difficult to take a good picture of him while in movement, as he is especially fast when compared to others who live in our area.IMG_4335
      • Hello Denise, I'm sure others here would love to what area you live in. I'm so glad to hear the tips are already helping.
      • Mary
        Participant
        Chirps: 90
        Hummingbirds, they are a challenge to photo and you caught this one on the fly! Nice!
    • Anne
      Participant
      Chirps: 7
      We have just passed the nesting season for hummingbirds in San Diego, but earlier this year I wanted to capture one of the many hummers that come to my feeders gathering nesting material.  Each year I provide kapok nesting material from a couple of locations.  This image was taken in my front yard with the afternoon sun not quite reaching into the area that is the background.  By keeping the exposure set on the bird, I was able to create the dark background I was after.  My camera, on tripod, was set up with some foliage for cover and I used a long lens to stay back, but feel up close.  This is a female Anna's Hummingbird. HummingbirdWithNestingMaterial
      • Isabelle
        Participant
        Chirps: 59
        Beautiful capture!
      • Anne
        Participant
        Chirps: 7

        @Isabelle thank you!

      • Fred
        Participant
        Chirps: 9

        @Anne I'll second Isabelle's comments!

      • Mary
        Participant
        Chirps: 90
        Great photo!
      • Laurie
        Participant
        Chirps: 6
        Wow! Love the wispy nesting material and the bird highlighted against the dark background.
      • Jeanne C.
        Participant
        Chirps: 7
        Wow...Great photo!
    • Gavin
      Participant
      Chirps: 1
      For my subject, I chose the Marsh Wren, knowing it would be tricky to see but enjoying the idea that it would be a fun challenge. So this morning, I got up (very) early and drove to Île Saint-Bernard, an island on the river southwest of where I live in Montreal, Canada. There's a wildlife refuge there with a large marsh, and I had heard Marsh Wrens singing there earlier this spring. And sure enough, there were at least a half dozen of them in full song in the bullrushes along the main path that leads across the centre of the marsh. Of course, just because you can hear them doesn't mean you can see them - let alone photograph them. But wrens (I've seen the same behaviour with House and Winter Wrens) are curious. And if you stand still, they will sometimes work their way towards you to check you out, furtively moving through the undergrowth, moving with sometimes surprising speed, then popping out unexpectedly before disappearing just as quickly. I had one encounter exactly like this, but the shots I got weren't great. Then, on the way back, I saw a wren fly up and literally burst into song in mid-air, his small body contorting so hard that he seemed to hover momentarily. Figuring this was the extravert I was looking for, I stepped just off the path and leaned into the high marsh grass. A minute or so later, out popped the wren agin, even being so kind as to adopt the classic pose, legs splayed like a miniature marsh yogi. After singing for about 30 seconds, he dropped back out of sight and I quietly moved on, happy that I did not appear to have disturbed hm. 1W9A1736
      • Laurie
        Participant
        Chirps: 6
        Loved your narrative and this adorable photo!
    • Kelly
      Participant
      Chirps: 4
      Every Spring I wait for the return of the Baltimore Orioles.  They generally show up in Connecticut in early May.  This year there seemed to be an abundance of these birds in my local park.  While they generally hang out high in the canopy I discovered a nest on the edge of a field quite low in a tree.  After the young fledged I was lucky to come across the little ones while the parents were feeding them raspberries from the field.  In the past I have witnessed the adults aggressively protecting their young but this pair didn't seem to be bothered by my presence. After getting a few shots I left the family to enjoy their berry breakfasts.  Unfortunately the Orioles will soon be making their way back down south and I'll have to wait again until next May to hear them sing from the tree tops.   DSC01181DSC01175
      • Dana
        Participant
        Chirps: 12
        Loved seeing the Baltimore orioles.... in southern CA, we get hooded orioles who spend the summer with us. Since taking some bird biology classes in an emeritus program for a couple of years, I've learned to watch for them. They nest in tall palm trees in my neighbors yard, but have visited my yard since I have a fountain. This year, they reappeared in April and were quite taken with the bottlebrush blooms in our yard. Here is a blurry photo (taken with a Lumix DC-FZ80 in automatic mode). HOriole_Front
    • Marcia
      Participant
      Chirps: 15
      I did my research on birds that visit my backyard. I usually do bird watching and taking photos at Presque Isle State Park in Erie, Pennsylvania, along the shores of Lake Erie. It has been difficult to take photos at Presque Isle recently. First the water levels at Lake Erie have risen significantly and caused many birds have left or gone deeper into the wooded areas to get away from flooded trails and increasing water levels. The other thing that is driving the birds deeper into the wooded areas, are the number of people coming to the Park to exercise, walk, and bike. The birds and other wildlife are slowly being pushed out of their regular habitats. This is the reason I decided to research my backyard birds. This has been interesting because I have been able to watch Parent birds bring their young into the yard to eat from my feeders and the many berries and other edible plants in the backyard. The research that I did helped me to identify what the parent birds were doing for their young. The young House Sparrow would flap it's wings and run up to the parent bird to get food and as they progressed the young bird started to eat the seed and other food on it's own. The other interesting thing I learned is how everything in my yard is used by the animals that inhabit my backyard. I have a Trumpet Vine and the rabbits that come into the yard eat the fallen petals from the Trumpet Vine. My pictures are not as clear as I would like because I took the pictures from my window rather than try to go outside and take pictures and disturb the House Sparrow Parent feeding it's young. I appreciate what I have learned in this lesson, and through my research, because I feel like I pay closer attention to the behaviors demonstrated by the birds and other animals, and with background research107272336_2874064839386199_3277404159622753992_o understand why the birds are demonstrating the behaviors I observe.
    • Marcia
      Participant
      Chirps: 15
      106744953_2874059592720057_8644446729099190644_o
    • Betty
      Participant
      Chirps: 14
      So yesterday , I used e-bird to see what others were sighting at Quivira Wildlife Refuge, which I like to go to every couple of months. I still find the site a little over whelming but will continue to use it as a tool. I usually use my car as the blind, but I did try stabilizing the lens with my hand when extended and liked the feel of that. I am sharing 3 of my better photos from yesterday.   Eastern KingbirdD2B0A880-B95E-4275-B898-856F9EC95AA8   Mourning Dove0BCAA11C-4A13-42F9-A74C-F1DD348A1346   Red-winged blackbirdA302C719-FAC5-4710-9402-42D8F72CD83C
    • Since March, sheltering indoors with the corona virus, I have spent time observing Scaled Quail who live in the arid, undisturbed prairies which surround my home in southeastern Colorado.  April is the start of breeding season. My photo shows three very young quail just starting to venture a few yards away from their parents, baby steps to leaving the nest.  My favorite insight is that Scaled Quail are extremely protective & cautious parents, who will chase off any other birds who get near their chicks. The male acts as a guardian, constantly surveying the surrounding area for any potential predators, allowing his mate (for LIFE!) a chance to eat with their chicks in peace.   They eat seeds of trees, shrubs, sunflower seeds and "forbs"/non woody plants, like the Russian thistle weeds, otherwise known as tumbleweeds!_E8A2171_Advice From A Sunflower_
      • Isabelle
        Participant
        Chirps: 59
        Very cute! I observed the exact same behavior in California Quails.
      • @Isabelle Thanks for your interesting fact, & yes I think they are very cute too Isabelle!  It's amazing that the range of the Scaled Quail and is concentrated only in the southwest:  CO, AZ, western Kansas, western Texas, south to central Mexico.  They are the only quail who don't have black on their faces.

      • Mary
        Participant
        Chirps: 90
        Gosh, I will have to look for these birds. I am only familiar with Gambels Quail. Your photo will help me remember them.
    • Jan
      Participant
      Chirps: 2
      Ridgway 1889 said, the Bewick's Wren "... explores the garden fence..." and that is where I see one or two of them everyday as I eat my lunch outside on my back patio. I regularly see them finding what look to be moths on my shaggy fence. The one photographed today seems to be a young bird, and it was peeping regularly back and forth with another of its species. Notice that there is an annoying and distracting yellow stick/line in the background -- something that Melissa warned us to look out for! With birds that rarely sit quietly, it's hard to avoid sticks. (As an aside, I would note that all the photos uploaded here seem rather "soft" as if the quality of the upload is not great. My photo looks quite sharp on my computer, but here seems a little blurry.)20200705-P7050036-Casa Contenta, Santa Fe, NM-Bewick's Wren
    • Kerri
      Participant
      Chirps: 1
      Our home is in a mixed woodland environment with some open areas, and a marshy pond area adjacent to it. It's the perfect habitat for the violet green swallow. Their preference of catching insects on the wing has certainly become a welcome activity for us (goodbye annoying flies, wasps and gnats!) and their aerial acrobatics are captivating. This is the second year we have been fortunate enough to have a family of violet green swallows nesting in one of our canned lights in the gable over our patio. The parents don't seem to be bothered by our presence and it has provided a great opportunity to observe their natural parenting behaviors. When getting ready to feed, a parent will circle, flying closer and closer to the nest each time, and softly chattering. The baby birds will respond louder and louder until the parent lands, feeds, and quickly flies off again. It's been difficult to catch the parent in focus but it's been a blast watching the babies grow! VGSW After Feed_2VGSW Mom + Baby_2DSC02936_2
      • Isabelle
        Participant
        Chirps: 59
        Oh wow! The violet- green swallows are such a gem! I’d love to have a nest in my backyard. Thanks for sharing this cuties.
      • Carole
        Participant
        Chirps: 39
        Absolutely gorgeous!
      • Mary
        Participant
        Chirps: 90
        Fascinating looking at your photos...we never know where we will find interesting bird behavior, do we?