photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA

He was having a nice swim at Sandy Ridge res.

birdpix Loc: South East Pennsylvania

When we are learning to take wildlife photos we often hurry the shot. We are so glad to have a subject in the viewfinder that we begin taking pictures right away.

With a skittish bird, that is sometimes necessary, especially if it is some rarity that you are documenting....any photo is better than none.

A bird like a Mallard will often give you plenty of time to compose and take your picture. Relax, be quiet and let the bird get used to you. Wait until the bird is looking at you then take the picture. Bird photos are so much more interesting when you can see the eye clearly. I wait until I get a catchlight. To me, birds with no reflection in the eye look like a taxidermy mount...lifeless.

Here is a simple example. This is a shot taken at ISO 3200, handheld with my 500mm lens, f/8 at 1/2000. It is not a great photo by any means but illustrates the point that when the bird is looking at you, the picture is more interesting.

photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA

Hi Birdguide, sounds like a good reminder, now that the weather is warming up I'll have chances to apply it in new shots.