Some photographers claim that children are the most difficult subjects to capture on camera, but if you are a birder, you know better. Effectively stalking and capturing a bird on film is a skill the requires great patience and know-how, but with a bit of luck (and a lot of careful planning) you can have some fantastic feathery photographs in no time.

To begin, you will have to get used to feeling like a rather peculiar creature. Let's face it, walking around hunch backed with a camera in tow is not an easy thing to do. Now, let's combine that bent over posture with walking on tip toes through a crunchy forest - are you starting to see how difficult this could actually become? To snag a great photograph of a bird, you will have to start thinking like a panther, and even panthers are spotted by birds on occasion.

You can be quite confident in thinking that a bird will, eventually, realize that you are following them. The trick is not to be spotted, rather you want to go as long as possible without scaring away the bird you are longing to capture. The best way to do this is to remain extremely well hidden, and make sure that you blend in well with the environment around you. If you are picturing images of birders dressed up in army fatigues with face paint, you are not entirely off the mark.

In fact, many wildlife photographers will go to great lengths in order to blend in, but you really don't need to become Crocodile Dundee in order to snap a few shots. Instead, avoid wearing any bright, metallic, clothing, and simply try to remain anonymous.
Many photographers attempt to gain a certain rapport with a bird before attempting to capture one on film, but whatever you do - avoid staring a bird directly in the eyes.

Throughout the wild world, a direct eye stare is nothing more than a challenge. While birds will not, usually, attack you if they catch you in a staring contest, you will certainly frighten them away with your glare. When a predator is preparing to strike a bird, the first thing that it will do is to gain immediate eye contact. Therefore, (unless you want to catch a bird in flight) keep your eyes on the tree branch next to the bird, and not upon the bird itself.

Many birders find great joy in photographing their sought after friends, since snapping a photograph is the best way to prove that you have seen a rare species. Often, birders are highly successful when attempting to capture a bird on film, and these photographs can make excellent scrap book addition. Just remember to walk carefully, avoid eye contact, and blend into your environment.

About the author:
Rick Chapo writes for NomadJournals.com - makers of rugged and fine bird
watching journals for life list.

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