Cheap Nature Blind: I just came across this ad. They advertise it as a shelter, however, I can see it being used as a blind.

Joe Blow

I just came across this ad. They advertise it as a shelter, however, I can see it being used as a blind.
https://www.anthem-sports.com/catalog/product/view/id/11024/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1PyirNKM2QIVBA8_Ch1UYA3zEAEYASAGEgKMrfD_BwE

My wife has a similar shelter in bright yellow. She would often use it, along with some other mothers, when our rug rat played softball or soccer in the early Spring or late Fall. This ad gave me the bright idea of using it as a blind to get some wildlife shots. It's lightweight and very portable. Just being out of the wind goes miles in keeping one warm.
https://undertheweatherpods.com

df61743 Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

If you nose around the internet, this Ameristep Doghouse can be had for about $60. It collapses into a small pack for transport, sets up and takes down quick, and will comfortably hold two people or one photographer with a chair and two tripods.

Barn Owl

https://undertheweatherpods.com Like what I'm seeing in the camou blind; however, using a 400mm or longer lens is best served with a snoot (like a aircraft wind sock) sewn on the front of the blind. Maybe it is just me but wildlife can easily sight the movements necessary in operating a long lens in a generic blind. Either way, the weather protection from the blind is a definite plus.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Since animals are mostly color blind, they do not see what we see. What they see is movement, and being in this coverup might just work. Being under cover, or just sitting still lets animals ignore you as you become part of the background.

BB4A

Shoot from horseback. 👍

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

some birds do see in color, hence bright colored feathers. and some birds see into the ultra violate range

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

df61743 wrote:

If you nose around the internet, this Ameristep Doghouse can be had for about $60. It collapses into a small pack for transport, sets up and takes down quick, and will comfortably hold two people or one photographer with a chair and two tripods.

Purchased one of these last year to put up in the garden behind the grape vine... I think it will work out fine this year.... Do you think a 4" steel pipe imbedded in the ground filled with concrete with a welded steel plate on top with 3/8 16 threads protruding would be stable enough for a shooting platform ? Am looking for a semi/permanent setup near the feeders and props.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

boberic wrote:

some birds do see in color, hence bright colored feathers. and some birds see into the ultra violate range

I was also reading that crows can count up to four...

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

The one I have is coated inside to prevent light shinning through and making a moving silhouette. It is also 7x7 feet and can serve as a light tent when out camping. The cheap little wire "stakes" bend when used in anything but sand or soft loam soil so I went to buy better pegs, almost all of them were cheap plastic so I went to Home Depot and got a dozen 12" nails. Those can be driven into almost any type of soil, just remember to take a hammer or mallet. Park rangers don't like you breaking up all their rocks and leaving sharp chips around the camp ground using them as hammers.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Joe Blow wrote:

I just came across this ad. They advertise it as ... (show quote)

I've been using one for years on my deck. Wife bought for me.

(Download)

df61743 Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

MrBob wrote:

Do you think a 4" steel pipe imbedded in the ground filled with concrete with a welded steel plate on top with 3/8 16 threads protruding would be stable enough for a shooting platform ? Am looking for a semi/permanent setup near the feeders and props.

Mr. Bob,

A shooting platform for what device? That sounds like something intended for a big telescope, and serious overkill for a camera. I'm confused by 3/8-16 studs when cameras use 1/4-20.

robertjerl wrote:

The cheap little wire "stakes" bend when used in anything but sand or soft loam soil so I went to buy better pegs.

Definitely! I carry an assortment of heavy duty pegs that I picked up at Home Depot or Academy, and use whatever works best where I'm setting up.

Dick

Joe Blow

df61743 wrote:

If you nose around the internet, this Ameristep Doghouse can be had for about $60. It collapses into a small pack for transport, sets up and takes down quick, and will comfortably hold two people or one photographer with a chair and two tripods.

The problem I have with camo is we have too many hunters around here that don't care as much if it is season or not. I like to wear bright clothes in order to remain visible.

cmc65

df61743 wrote:

If you nose around the internet, this Ameristep Doghouse can be had for about $60. It collapses into a small pack for transport, sets up and takes down quick, and will comfortably hold two people or one photographer with a chair and two tripods.

I’ve had one of these for a couple of years that works well. Mine is a tD smaller however I have plenty of room for me, my heavy duty tripod and long lens on the gimbal as well as a three legged swivel stool that allows me to swing around to the different windows. The birds are used to it now and once I’m in it doesn’t disturb them at all.

df61743 Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

Funny story about how well they work. I was in mine one morning with two tripods, one camera had a 100-400mm zoom and the other one had a 500mm fixed. This bobcat sauntered past me so close that I couldn't get it all in the frame with the 500mm, and he was walking fast enough that I didn't have time to switch to the other camera. He was only about 30 feet from me, looked directly at me, and paid no attention.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

df61743 wrote:

Definitely! I carry an assortment of heavy duty pegs that I picked up at Home Depot or Academy, and use whatever works best where I'm setting up.

Dick

Yes Dick, Overkill, but Stable I think; 3/8 stud is for female bushing in Ball Head. Camera on Quick release on ball head. No Futzing around with Tripod etc... Permanent solid platform that could also be adapted to a remote operation. Hey, when retired in the country what else is there to do but dream up stuff like this. No, no telescope just a 300 f4.0 L with a 1.4 teleconverter on a DX body... If nothing else maybe I will get some squirrel shots.