LeeinNC Loc: Morganton, NC

I just spotted a cardinal's nest with a wary Mom on top. If I move very slow and quiet, is there any reason not to photograph?

Sinewsworn Loc: Port Orchard, WA

I am currently "stalking" a Junco nest just outside of my rear porch. Juncos are not very careful in their nesting site selection.
I have observed mom and dad going to and from the nest frequently. Mom mostly. Because the nest is so exposed I expect to get some nice shots of mom feeding babies.
Wl post anything I get.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

As long as you are quiet and don’t scare her off, I don’t see why not.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I'd get a Cardinal Photo Release signed by both parents in the nest before proceeding, especially before any of the eggs hatch.

LeeinNC Loc: Morganton, NC

I probably need an attorney.

Drip Dry McFleye

I had a great opportunity to photograph nesting robins from eggs to fledglings. I set up a 10 ft. stepladder located about 12-15 feet away from the nest. Clamped a board to the ladder for a place to rest my camera. I was out on the ladder 2 - 4 hrs. each day until the young ones were gone. The adult birds were definitely a little nervous about me at first but actually grew quite accustomed to my presence after just a couple or three days. Worked out great. It might be that cardinals are more sensitive than robins but I'd say just don't disturb them or do anything silly and you'll get some great shots. I used a 70-200mm mostly. Tried 80-400 but it was actually a bit too much and went back to the 70 - 200 cuz it's lighter and very sharp. Best of luck!

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

In 2016 a Mama Robin built a nest in a bush next to our garage - actually I discovered the nest when I took a hedge-clipper to the bush and Mama lost her composure when I came within an inch or so of her. I quit trimming the bush then - and she finished hatching and raising her young - but Robins are kind of familiar with people. Cardinals tend to be much more nervous naturally, and in most cases it is harder to stalk them, but they may become used to observation over time.

Mitzis

Cardinals are much more wary than robins. Few Cardinals will allow people to approach as closely as robins do. If they are frightened off the nest too often, they might abandon it, to rebuild a next elsewhere and to lay another clutch of eggs. Learning to approach birds takes practice and techniques, and if possible, a blind.

If you must pursue, read this for ideas:

Ethics: Do’s and Don’ts of Nest Photography:

https://www.audubon.org/news/dos-and-donts-nest-photography

“You should always photograph birds responsibly. But you have to be extra responsible during nesting season. season.“ (Audubon Society)

Mitzis

Cardinals are much more wary than robins. Few Cardinals will allow people to approach as closely as robins do. If they are frightened off the nest too often, they might abandon it, to rebuild a next elsewhere and to lay another clutch of eggs. Learning to approach birds takes practice and techniques, and if possible, a blind.

If you must pursue, read this for ideas:
Ethics
Do’s and Don’ts of Nest Photography:

“You should always photograph birds responsibly. But you have to be extra responsible during nesting season. season.“

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Wait for babies, but spend a lot of time in the mean time as you get closer and closer to the nest. If she flies off, your too close. I do a lot of soft talking to myself, seems to calm the birds I shoot. Keep it up and make her more comfortable with your presence.

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

You will need an attorney who speaks Cardinalese. You can find them at the Vatican.

DeeAndre Loc: Boyertown PA

Funny!

Mitzis

It helps to slowly walk zig-zag style rather than directly toward a bird or nest. If possible, keep a structure (tree, building, etc.) behind you so that you blend into the back ground more. Held you camera chest high while approaching, and do the final lifting to your eye slowly when ready.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

My wife and I have found that learning the birds calls/song, and then trying to imitate (within reason) keeps many different bird varieties much more comfortable with you when getting in close, calling/whistling/soft talk really helps.

By looking up bird calls/song for each we also learned a lot about the variety of calls and song for each bird type. Many that we had never had the opportunity to tie the song to the bird greatly impressed us, in fact, early on we were amazed (and still are)!!! Used to think the Mockingbirds were something vocally, now I realize they are only the tip of the iceberg!!

I still have a big problem with the large front lens element scaring the birds (I guess it looks like a big "eye" to them....but we can now get very close to the birds that inhabit our little sanctuary (our yard/feeders/viewing area). They all sit and wait for the feeders to be filled/water to be changed now.....so I guess they like and appreciate us, as we do them!

I'm working a Red Bellied Woodpecker family that has hollowed out a broken Maple near the house, but any real shooting will have me up on my roof for a good angle (I don't care for underbelly and butt shots), which i end up with a lot from 30 feet below the bird.

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida