National lockdowns as a result of COVID-19 are challenging on a number of levels. For those not in essential services it is a taste of house arrest broken only by local exercise. Loss of income exacerbates stress and anxiety so we need ways of escaping for a while at least. For a bird photographer, losing yourself in a quest for images is one of the best escapes there is. The lockdown precludes travel for recreation, even a few kilometres up the road to my local lake Okareka. This has been the nudge I needed to finally spend some time on a backyard bird hide setup. I have been meaning to do this for years but it has always been more exciting to head up the road to the lake.
Blinds are a bit like tripods with different ones suited to different situations. My first set-up used my Tragopan V+ blind with a perch jammed into a tripod handle over a tray of seed and fruit. The Tragopan is quick to set up and gives a nice low shooting position with an opening even for ground level shooting. The drawback is that if seated a low stool is what is needed and this isn’t that comfortable for long sessions.
House Sparrows are the first to arrive when food is put out and, despite being common, are attractive little birds. This set-up yielded a number of Sparrow images using a Box hedge as an out of focus background. Some birds staged on a tree branch above the set-up before and after dropping down for a feed.
Having had some success with the Sparrows using seed and fruit as a lure, we set up a sugar water feeder to try and bring in some Silvereyes, Tui and Bellbird. The Silvereyes were quick to discover the free lunch and provided a steady stream of hyperactive subjects. This set-up didn’t need a low shooting position so I used my chair blind. I had bought this years ago from Hunting and Fishing. They no longer seem to stock them but Broncos has single and double versions advertised. Craftys also has the double version advertised. Internationally, Amazon lists a number of similar items. While these are designed primarily for duck shooting many are perfect for photography. Some only seem to have a top opening to stand and fire a shotgun so make sure that there is a forward facing aperture for photography before committing to purchase.
The advantage of the chair blind is that it is extremely quick to set up and is very comfortable for extended sessions. It would be easy to spend a few hours with a flask of coffee, snacks and something to read for the quiet spells.
Silvereyes provided a regular flow of subjects, the challenge being to catch one in a good position with a clean background and perfect focus.
There is something unique about being in a bird hide. It is partially enforced tunnel vision with the promise of excitement when a plan comes together. The COVID-19 lockdown has been an interesting time. For me work has been busy and challenging but it has given me a reason to be out of the house episodically with my scenic commute past the lakes. Days away from work have been more of a challenge with supermarket shopping to be done and the loss of the freedom to travel even short distances for photography. It often feels as though travel, even locally, is important to add excitement to the quest for images. It has been rewarding to find the same excitement and pleasing images available in my small garden with a mug of coffee just a few steps away.
Photos with Nikon D850 and Nikon 500mm f4VR on Manfrotto 055MF3 carbon fibre tripod with Really Right Stuff BH-55 ballhead and Wimberley Sidekick.
