Carolina Wren
There are many serious bird photographers that will not take, or certainly not publish, a picture of a bird that has the “hand of man” visible in the shot. That means, no feeders, bird baths, fence posts, electrical wires, etc. While I certainly strive to accomplish that, there are certain birds that are very difficult to capture away from humans. This is one of those birds. While I do have many shots of this bird in trees, on limbs, or even on the ground, their predilection to hang around people is difficult to avoid. Therefore, my best shots of Carolina Wrens have been taken in parks, along walk ways, and in backyards. They are such personable birds that I find it very difficult to not push the shutter.
Country United States
State North Carolina
Location Raven Rock State Park
Gender Unknown
Age Adult
Activity Feeding in the Wild
- Created Timestamp06/04/2018 06:44:29
- CameraCanon EOS 7D Mark II
- Aperture4
- Focal Length500
- Iso400
- Shutter Speed1/320
That’s interesting – I had not heard about the aversion to shots like that. Although I prefer shots “in the wild” you can get some interesting shots with some evidence of humans’ handiwork in them.
I want to make it clear that this is my personal choice-I am not a “feeder snob”. I look at and enjoy pictures that other people take and post that do not adhere to this standard. But for me, I strive to make the bird (and sometimes the perch) the center of attention of my shots. A picture of a hummingbird at a plastic feeder does not have the same impact on me as a hummer at a beautiful flower. I have feeders, both sugar and seed, in my yard and I certainly enjoy watching the birds on these. I… Read more »
Right on
I have heard this as well and I have to say I agree that I prefer shots of birds in natural settings in general, but if the object adds something to the composition or aesthetic especially if it is something unique that’s a different story. And there are those times where if the question is to shoot or not shoot a rare or interesting bird at my feeder, the answer is obvious.
Anyone who is interested in this subject, photographing birds in attractive settings, should look at Alan Murphy’s website. He has a series of videos or webinars, that are “behind the shot” focused. He explains how he uses feeders and such to attract birds into a setting that he has set up. You may or may not agree with this but there is no disputing the remarkable photos he takes. Some of them, like a Belted Kingfisher catching a fish underwater, are almost beyond belief. That is, until he shows you how he did it. He also emphasizes that it took… Read more »