bobfitz Loc: Kendall-Miami, Florida

The great bird photos are preplanned as to Sun, wind, background and patience. When the moment happens...the motor drive fires at top speed and you hope for a few good or useable shots. You need to be at a distance which will not spook the birds but will also be a pleasing photo angle. The average bird (photo club photographer) hasn't a clue. go onto youtube and look at the masters of the genre.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I wouldn't confuse being prepared with pre-planning. They are entirely different things. Of course, you go to find the best time of day, sun angle, background etc etc etc to optimize the shot. But not all of us are Alan McFadyen, nor do I wish to ever be that maniacal about getting the perfect shot.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3330286/Photographer-takes-perfect-picture-diving-kingfisher-six-years-4-200-hours-720-000-shots.html

For the most part, patience is the most important component. You can't plan wind, background and Sun. I don't use a camera with a motor drive anymore. I use a Nikon D810. Good bird photography can happen with amazing regularity if you go out often enough, study their habits (very important), go out often and cross your fingers. All the planning in the world cannot get most of the great shots you see, though it doesn't hurt. I've been shooting birds since 2006 - and luck is as important as prep. Great bird shots require advantageous planetary alignment, being in the right place at the right time (which really cannot be planned for, but you can always hope), and knowledge of your gear and it's strengths and limitations.

I am certain that you must have some amazing bird shots - can you share them?

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Bill_de Loc: US

It was about 15 years ago we had a good year with a single snowy on Jones Beach in NY. It stayed around for a couple of months. One of the guys we shot with who was, and still is, a professional wildlife photographer always wore a bright orange coat. One thing he taught us, when there are a bunch of people don't spread out. The bird would have too many thing to keep an eye on. Bunched together the bird would get used to us.

This year I got to spend 'quality time' one day with one snowy. I was the only one there for quite some time. I backed away from the bird and left him where I found him. Then some guy tried to walk up to him and was surprised the bird flew away.

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Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Had a similar experience with the Snowies I shot this year. At one point there were 12 shooters on this one owl. We all demonstrated the utmost respect for her, as well as for each other - and kept our distance. She eventually got hungry, and went for a quick flight - RIGHT IN FRONT OF US!

Of course, I was not prepared. I had lent my "portable" lens to my friend, and I had the 600F4 on my tripod. I missed the two shots she got. . .

She had so much fun with my lens, 2 weeks later she bought the Tamron G2. It was her very first time shooting with a 600mm lens and for all intents and purposes, she is quite an amateur. Just today, she called in a panic, because her camera, a D800, had an error message "-E-" in the top status screen. I asked her where her memory card was. She said it was in the reader. I told her to take it out and put it in the camera. . .

But she got some great Snowy Owl shots - in flight even.

Like yourself, I don't buy the "planning is everything" or wear the camo and fool the bird lines . . . I think you understand why.

I have a good friend that wears camo everything - even changes the pattern for the season - he even has camo sunglasses, in addition to the camo outerwear, shoes, socks, gloves, hat, scarf, etc. One day I purposely bumped into him, but gently. I immediately apologized and told him I didn't realize he was there - couldn't see him, the camo was THAT good! We had a good laugh and an even better couple of rounds of beer later. I did have to ask, though - what camo pattern was he wearing on his boxers, which prompted more laughter and another round of beer. . .

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Bill_de Loc: US

I thought that this was going to be my flight shot this year, but she was only stretching.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Good one -

bcrawf

Yes, especially when a lens has a max aperture of f/4 or so.

marionhughes

Your are welcome.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

Always focus on the eyes unless your purpose dictates otherwise.