First of my birdie attitude series...for C&C please...

[IzzieK]

A good start Izzie,

Might I suggest that since the results are becoming acceptable - that you might now want to change something that's within your control - replace that pot base with something that is a colour and texture that doesn't 'compete' with your subjects?

I just bought a new bird feeder from Lowes a while ago...it is white in colour and I put it on top of a rickety white table or some sort..

You (or hubby) know what you might be able to spare for your 'art' - perhaps something complementary to the background colour, be that (background) sunlit or not?

I can hang a backdrop now that I have the white feeder on the white table....while waiting for tomorrow to buy a metal stick to hang it from a hook. So at the moment, this is a temporary arrangement...

Thinking of the photographic ideal, if the (unseen) inside surfaces were white (and not too many seeds loaded), it could perform as a reflector and provide a bit of fill light into the shadows on the undersides of the birds.

Better still (if feasible), clamp a piece of branch to the deck rail and shoot them as they perch on that (checking whether it is safe) on their way to the food.

Before we left for Lowes, I found a very nice piece of branch and put it near the feeder, somehow when we came back, it was on the ground on the other side. It is not a windy day today so I don't know what happened.

My plan for tomorrow is to put this feeder on a metal stick to hang it from then "plant" around it some sort of decorative tree trunks right in the middle of the yard where the squirrels will not reach it yet low enough for me to take it away for the night as I usually do with the pot planter base...

Thank you for your advice...I tried to implement some of it though...will see how I go...I appreciate your advice and kind comments very much...

[IzzieK]

Nice shots Izzie. I notice that the planter base is differently colored in #2 so I'm guessing you processed the images differently.
One suggestion, hang a bag of suet from the railing out of sight so the birds will come but you'll get pics of the birds only.

Thanks Jack...this is the first time I tried to photograph birdies from my backyard here so I have no idea what suet is, but I will find out... ...you know me...I am going to Lowes again tomorrow...for that and the metal stick hanger....thank you for your advice and nice comment...'appreciate it...

[IzzieK]

I think it's a good start and I like all the suggestions, especially Dave's branch idea.

I'm getting my popcorn and anxiously waiting for the next series!

Geez Dave...I was thinking of popcorn too... I will upload another two, not too good but OK I hope...thank you for viewing and commenting. I do appreciate it very much that you are grinning and bearing looking at my amateurish shots.. things you have to put up with, eh?

[Teton Chuck]

Izzie, I like you photos. They are sharp and you obviously were close when you took them.

You might try to set up a stick near the feeder and see if they use it before and after feeding. It makes for a more natural looking shot. I predict that you will get hooked on photographing birds. That should take up your extra time. :-)

[IzzieK]

I agree. I use a remote shutter release. Cost me about £8 on Ebay.

Keep up the good work!

John

Thanks Christina, Nandakumar, David, Jim, Mark and John (Rostron) for your kind comments...I will soon find out why my remote did not work...it is wire...less ... maybe that is why

No, David...I did not swat the bird -- I caught it with my little bare hand and put it in the freezer for 8 hours...

Jim...I am no builder of cages and Dave (Humphries) suggested a white bottom so when I saw this white feeder which was the only one on the shelf, I got it. Now I will have problems with glaring whites... I will see what I can do to make it look presentable and natural without the little four legged around here disturbing my setting. I will look for some designs with plants in them around and some branches and somewhere to sit down while bird watching and photographing...now I have great plans...hoping I am not going to overdo this...

SOMEONE PLEASE...hold me back!!!!

'appreciate your comments and viewings.

[IzzieK]

OK...here are my 4 offerings for the day...

1 Look at me....look at me...



2 I can turn my head...beat that!!!



3 180 °turn...you can't do that???!???!!!??



4 Hey...hey...who's the pretty boy, huh??? that will be me!!! Bingo!

[Benjy]

2 and 3 for me Izzie,re. bird in freezer,how long can you keep chicken in freezer?

[IzzieK]

Izzie, I like you photos. They are sharp and you obviously were close when you took them.

You might try to set up a stick near the feeder and see if they use it before and after feeding. It makes for a more natural looking shot. I predict that you will get hooked on photographing birds. That should take up your extra time. :-)

Thanks for viewing and commenting, Chuck...I will set up my new feeder today as soon as I come back from the hardware store...the waiting is the problem for me...there are a lot of things I rather do than wait... but yes, this can be a very addicting genre.

[IzzieK]

2 and 3 for me Izzie,re. bird in freezer,how long can you keep chicken in freezer?

Not too long...I love putting mine in the rotisserie. Thanks, Benjy...I have to defrost this one for quite sometime in the sun...

[Benjy]

Izzie,I put one in last night,it was dead this morning...

[deetheturk]

More nice captures Izzie, what happened to the bugs? remember and check the fridge

[ied]

Beautifully done Izzie. Lovely background. I am set up somewhat similar
to what has been suggested. The branch (tree in my case) is set up close to
the feeder. I will post a picture as soon as time permits. I have house guests
for a few days but I will do so and share my bird captures.
keep at it... it's most addicting.

Irene

[IzzieK]

More nice captures Izzie, what happened to the bugs? remember and check the fridge

I checked the fridge yesterday and you will not believe this! -- the silly bugger decided to build a web inside the container! So I tossed him out including the container. Next time I will really use the freezer, maybe 30 seconds?? My husband was laughing when I showed him. A winter spider? Is there a winter spider???

[IzzieK]

Beautifully done Izzie. Lovely background. I am set up somewhat similar
to what has been suggested. The branch (tree in my case) is set up close to
the feeder. I will post a picture as soon as time permits. I have house guests
for a few days but I will do so and share my bird captures.
keep at it... it's most addicting.

Irene

Please do...I go sick of waiting for other birds to come because they are the same one each day. I will post another series later about conversation with a bird...

Thank you for viewing Irene. I do appreciate it very much...