Where do you go for wildlife shots

**csa** · 03-08-2016, 08:32 AM

Originally posted by LeDave

Sat out there for 20 minutes with my new 55-300.Well, I am kind of sad that there were no life in my backyard. There were no birds, no squirrells, no bugs. There were just trees, leafless in the snow.

You have to encourage the birds, chipmunks, etc. to come in. Water is a great way to get them in! Feeders with black oil sunflower seed, suet, and a simple thing; coat a pinecone with peanut butter, & hang it!

Also, here the birds come in mornings & late afternoons, mainly. There are birds all day long, but the larger numbers are mornings & late afternoons.

**csa** · 03-08-2016, 08:34 AM - **1 Like**

Here's one photo of many I took yesterday with my 55-300 + Tamron 1.4x TC, handheld.

LeDave · 03-08-2016, 11:54 AM

Thanks guys. It is getting really warm now, up to 60 degrees here in Minnesota, the birds should come out soon without the feeder, if not by next week then I will have to buy a bird feeder from Petco or something.

**rkappleby** · 03-09-2016, 09:20 PM - **2 Likes**

Sometimes I just stand on my veranda.....

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bigted · 03-09-2016, 09:55 PM

I'm either at home (I live on a large river) or I'm at the lake (in the middle of the boonies) when I photograph my critters.

**csa** · 03-10-2016, 08:23 AM

Originally posted by rkappleby

Sometimes I just stand on my veranda.....

That is a great photo! Can't believe the wild turkeys are following along with the deer!

I also do my wildlife shooting at home. I live in the mountains on a lake, so get great opportunities. The Mountain Bluebirds just started arriving here, yesterday. Caught me by surprise, now I've got to get their houses cleaned out!

**clackers** · 03-10-2016, 08:59 AM

You must put a lot of food out if you can get a shot like that, Dcappleby ... they're like late Noah's Ark applicants. ☺

BrianR · 03-10-2016, 09:07 AM

Originally posted by LeDave

Thanks guys. It is getting really warm now, up to 60 degrees here in Minnesota, the birds should come out soon without the feeder, if not by next week then I will have to buy a bird feeder from Petco or something.

If you're interested in backyard birds/wildlife, get the feeders up asap. Be sure to put a few photogenic branches around for birds to perch for the approach to the feeder.

Originally posted by csa

Caught me by surprise, now I've got to get their houses cleaned out!

Nest boxes can be great for attracting wildlife, even a city backyard like the OP's should be able to fit a few. I always end up procrastinating on the nest cleaning, and end up with scenes like this:

But squirrels are cool too

**csa** · 03-10-2016, 09:26 AM

Originally posted by BrianR

If you're interested in backyard birds/wildlife, get the feeders up asap. Be sure to put a few photogenic branches around for birds to perch for the approach to the feeder.

Absolutely! Get some feeders up now. Also, water is very important. You can simply use a shallow cake pan, etc. If you can place feeders & water near a bush or something for the birds to use as protection; even better! Simple feeders are very inexpensive. I feed the black sunflower seeds. I've found the mixed "wild bird" seed has many types the birds simply will not eat, and it's a big waste. A suet block will attract several varieties of birds; again very inexpensive. After having feeders up for a few days, "word" is passed, and birds will regularly start making your yard a place to stop by!

**csa** · 03-10-2016, 09:28 AM

Originally posted by BrianR

Nest boxes can be great for attracting wildlife, even a city backyard like the OP's should be able to fit a few. I always end up procrastinating on the nest cleaning, and end up with scenes like this:

I have 6 bluebird nestboxes, and a few more for chickadees, etc. Rarely do I get a squirrel around here, they tend to hang out at the lake's edge. I don't clean them in the Fall, as the old nests make good insulation for birds seeking cover in the winter; but the bluebirds are about 2 months early this year!

**rkappleby** · 03-10-2016, 10:31 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by clackers

You must put a lot of food out if you can get a shot like that

Well I have admit I do feed the turkeys, I talked to one of the local conservation officers about feeding and he told me that most of the turkeys probably wouldn't make it through the winter without some human assistance, the deer also hang around the homes in the area as they feel a bit more protected from the cougar population though we have had cougars take deer within a 150 yards of our house. The deer also know they are safe from hunters at my home, the larger buck on the lower left of the photo would lay in my yard through the day during hunting season and watch the hunters drive by (I could actually see a little drool on the hunter's mouths). What is really quite funny is when the young fawn's are about, they take great delight in chasing the turkeys around. It's all quite comical to watch.

**clackers** · 03-10-2016, 03:21 PM

Originally posted by rkappleby

Well I have admit I do feed the turkeys, I talked to one of the local conservation officers about feeding and he told me that most of the turkeys probably wouldn't make it through the winter without some human assistance, the deer also hang around the homes in the area as they feel a bit more protected from the cougar population though we have had cougars take deer within a 150 yards of our house. The deer also know they are safe from hunters at my home, the larger buck on the lower left of the photo would lay in my yard through the day during hunting season and watch the hunters drive by (I could actually see a little drool on the hunter's mouths). What is really quite funny is when the young fawn's are about, they take great delight in chasing the turkeys around. It's all quite comical to watch.

Every town needs a Dr Dolittle!

**vrphoto** · 03-11-2016, 02:08 AM

As for photogenic branches - wish I'd set up the tripod before setting up the the new bird bath, now the lens is focussing on the flowers in front of the birds, and the sun is making the logs behind far too bright. But I'll have to wait until the drought has broken before disturbing the Eastern Rosellas, Crested and Bronze-wing Pigeons, Galahs, Little Butcherbird, Noisy Miners who are using it. Sorry, I can't attach a pic because I haven't yet managed one in focus

**rkappleby** · 03-11-2016, 08:07 AM

Originally posted by clackers

Every town needs a Dr Dolittle

But I can't talk to them

**Des** · 03-11-2016, 02:22 PM

Originally posted by vrphoto

But I'll have to wait until the drought has broken before disturbing the Eastern Rosellas, Crested and Bronze-wing Pigeons, Galahs, Little Butcherbird, Noisy Miners who are using it

That's a very photogenic set of birds, @VRPhoto. Look forward to the photos.

All I seem to see when I go to Melbourne these days are mynahs, starlings, blackbirds, and sparrows (and maybe the occasional raven, galah and Little Wattlebird). Nice to hear some people still have a healthy population of natives.

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03-08-2016, 08:32 AM	#46
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	Originally posted by LeDave Sat out there for 20 minutes with my new 55-300.Well, I am kind of sad that there were no life in my backyard. There were no birds, no squirrells, no bugs. There were just trees, leafless in the snow. You have to encourage the birds, chipmunks, etc. to come in. Water is a great way to get them in! Feeders with black oil sunflower seed, suet, and a simple thing; coat a pinecone with peanut butter, & hang it! Also, here the birds come in mornings & late afternoons, mainly. There are birds all day long, but the larger numbers are mornings & late afternoons.

03-08-2016, 08:34 AM - 1 Like	#47
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	Here's one photo of many I took yesterday with my 55-300 + Tamron 1.4x TC, handheld.

03-08-2016, 11:54 AM	#48
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067 Original Poster	Thanks guys. It is getting really warm now, up to 60 degrees here in Minnesota, the birds should come out soon without the feeder, if not by next week then I will have to buy a bird feeder from Petco or something.

03-09-2016, 09:55 PM	#50
bigted Moderator Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Jessica Lake, Whiteshell Provincial Park, or Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,592	I'm either at home (I live on a large river) or I'm at the lake (in the middle of the boonies) when I photograph my critters.

03-10-2016, 08:23 AM	#51
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	Originally posted by rkappleby Sometimes I just stand on my veranda..... That is a great photo! Can't believe the wild turkeys are following along with the deer! I also do my wildlife shooting at home. I live in the mountains on a lake, so get great opportunities. The Mountain Bluebirds just started arriving here, yesterday. Caught me by surprise, now I've got to get their houses cleaned out!

03-10-2016, 08:59 AM	#52
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	You must put a lot of food out if you can get a shot like that, Dcappleby ... they're like late Noah's Ark applicants. ☺

03-10-2016, 09:07 AM	#53
BrianR Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,332	Originally posted by LeDave Thanks guys. It is getting really warm now, up to 60 degrees here in Minnesota, the birds should come out soon without the feeder, if not by next week then I will have to buy a bird feeder from Petco or something. If you're interested in backyard birds/wildlife, get the feeders up asap. Be sure to put a few photogenic branches around for birds to perch for the approach to the feeder. Originally posted by csa Caught me by surprise, now I've got to get their houses cleaned out! Nest boxes can be great for attracting wildlife, even a city backyard like the OP's should be able to fit a few. I always end up procrastinating on the nest cleaning, and end up with scenes like this: But squirrels are cool too

03-10-2016, 09:26 AM	#54
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	Originally posted by BrianR If you're interested in backyard birds/wildlife, get the feeders up asap. Be sure to put a few photogenic branches around for birds to perch for the approach to the feeder. Absolutely! Get some feeders up now. Also, water is very important. You can simply use a shallow cake pan, etc. If you can place feeders & water near a bush or something for the birds to use as protection; even better! Simple feeders are very inexpensive. I feed the black sunflower seeds. I've found the mixed "wild bird" seed has many types the birds simply will not eat, and it's a big waste. A suet block will attract several varieties of birds; again very inexpensive. After having feeders up for a few days, "word" is passed, and birds will regularly start making your yard a place to stop by!

03-10-2016, 09:28 AM	#55
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	Originally posted by BrianR Nest boxes can be great for attracting wildlife, even a city backyard like the OP's should be able to fit a few. I always end up procrastinating on the nest cleaning, and end up with scenes like this: I have 6 bluebird nestboxes, and a few more for chickadees, etc. Rarely do I get a squirrel around here, they tend to hang out at the lake's edge. I don't clean them in the Fall, as the old nests make good insulation for birds seeking cover in the winter; but the bluebirds are about 2 months early this year!

03-10-2016, 10:31 AM - 1 Like	#56
rkappleby Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Crowsnest Pass Alberta Posts: 648	Originally posted by clackers You must put a lot of food out if you can get a shot like that Well I have admit I do feed the turkeys, I talked to one of the local conservation officers about feeding and he told me that most of the turkeys probably wouldn't make it through the winter without some human assistance, the deer also hang around the homes in the area as they feel a bit more protected from the cougar population though we have had cougars take deer within a 150 yards of our house. The deer also know they are safe from hunters at my home, the larger buck on the lower left of the photo would lay in my yard through the day during hunting season and watch the hunters drive by (I could actually see a little drool on the hunter's mouths). What is really quite funny is when the young fawn's are about, they take great delight in chasing the turkeys around. It's all quite comical to watch.

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03-10-2016, 03:21 PM	#57
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by rkappleby Well I have admit I do feed the turkeys, I talked to one of the local conservation officers about feeding and he told me that most of the turkeys probably wouldn't make it through the winter without some human assistance, the deer also hang around the homes in the area as they feel a bit more protected from the cougar population though we have had cougars take deer within a 150 yards of our house. The deer also know they are safe from hunters at my home, the larger buck on the lower left of the photo would lay in my yard through the day during hunting season and watch the hunters drive by (I could actually see a little drool on the hunter's mouths). What is really quite funny is when the young fawn's are about, they take great delight in chasing the turkeys around. It's all quite comical to watch. Every town needs a Dr Dolittle!

03-11-2016, 02:08 AM	#58
vrphoto Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Melbourne Posts: 150	As for photogenic branches - wish I'd set up the tripod before setting up the the new bird bath, now the lens is focussing on the flowers in front of the birds, and the sun is making the logs behind far too bright. But I'll have to wait until the drought has broken before disturbing the Eastern Rosellas, Crested and Bronze-wing Pigeons, Galahs, Little Butcherbird, Noisy Miners who are using it. Sorry, I can't attach a pic because I haven't yet managed one in focus

03-11-2016, 08:07 AM	#59
rkappleby Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Crowsnest Pass Alberta Posts: 648	Originally posted by clackers Every town needs a Dr Dolittle But I can't talk to them

03-11-2016, 02:22 PM	#60
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,422	Originally posted by vrphoto But I'll have to wait until the drought has broken before disturbing the Eastern Rosellas, Crested and Bronze-wing Pigeons, Galahs, Little Butcherbird, Noisy Miners who are using it That's a very photogenic set of birds, @VRPhoto. Look forward to the photos. All I seem to see when I go to Melbourne these days are mynahs, starlings, blackbirds, and sparrows (and maybe the occasional raven, galah and Little Wattlebird). Nice to hear some people still have a healthy population of natives.