Making Natural Bird Feeders
Mar 20, 2014 15:59:12 #
Most of us who like to shoot birds put feeders in our backyards to attract them. The only problem is that your great bird shot is not that great because a plastic commercial feeder is in the picture. Here is a great way to get around that. Go in the woods and cut yourself 2 logs about 8" in diameter and 3 feet long. A rotted log on the ground works best and if it has lots of branch stubs on it all the better. Take one log and drill about eight 1 1/4" holes about 1" deep on opposing sides. Pack the holes with your choice of suet, put a heavy duty eyelet in the top and hang in your favorite tree. Take the other log and cut a trough in it with a hand axe. Put eyelets at either end, fill with your favorite seed and hang. Now your bird shots will look natural and in the wild. You can buy this type of feeder but get ready to shell out at least $90 !!!
Vertical Feeder
Horizontal Feeder
Woodpecker on feeder
Mar 20, 2014 16:09:00 #
Very good idea. I'm sick of seeing image of birds next to man made feeders etc. A more natural setting is soooo much better.
Mar 20, 2014 16:18:33 #
Mar 20, 2014 17:02:14 #
Another option (if you're not handy with tools to make these):
Use off-the-shelf feeders, but then get a couple "perch sticks" to strategically locate in your yard, just a few feet away from the feeders or water source.
Many (most) birds will come in and perch there, checking whether "the coast is clear" before going to the feeder/water.
Use off-the-shelf feeders, but then get a couple "perch sticks" to strategically locate in your yard, just a few feet away from the feeders or water source.
Many (most) birds will come in and perch there, checking whether "the coast is clear" before going to the feeder/water.
Mar 20, 2014 17:09:33 #
Racmanaz wrote:
Will this work for hummingbirds?
No, hummingbirds drink nectar, so they take a different "feeder". But if you cut off the perch ring on hummingbird feeders, so they can't sit and sip, you'll create photo opps for yourself. Watch them and they'll get in a rhythm, sipping from the feeder, backing away while they swallow, then coming in and sipping again.
I took a whole series of images where they did this, and never got a single "hand of man" in the frame, and made a montage of it:
http://allenh.zenfolio.com/img/s8/v14/p537221448-3.jpg
The images I used for this montage came from here:
http://allenh.zenfolio.com/p31948413
Mar 20, 2014 17:28:08 #
Racmanaz wrote:
It could if you put tubes of nectar in the holes instead of suet.Will this work for hummingbirds?
Mar 20, 2014 17:30:52 #
Mar 20, 2014 17:58:19 #
Lomax wrote:
Great shots !
Thanks. The background colors are from the building next door. Not very natural, I suppose, but neutral enough that I could live with it.
Mar 21, 2014 09:23:21 #
Lomax wrote:
Most of us who like to shoot birds put feeders in ... (show quote)
This is a wonderful idea but I wouldn't be able to do this nor would my husband,do you know who sells feeders like this.I have purchased a small wood log with holes drilled into it so I can fill it with suet from Wild Birds Unlimited but I have seen any type of logs this large!
Mar 21, 2014 10:39:27 #
Marilyng wrote:
This is a wonderful idea but I wouldn't be able to do this nor would my husband,do you know who sells feeders like this.I have purchased a small wood log with holes drilled into it so I can fill it with suet from Wild Birds Unlimited but I have seen any type of logs this large!
Go here: http://www.amazon.com/Stovall-13FL-Cedar-Feeder-Plugs/dp/B006GKC0JM/ref=pd_sim_sbs_petsupplies_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=13NNCGTZSBE08PRHQJ46
Mar 21, 2014 10:58:15 #
Thanks a bunch for the advice. I think this might be my weekend project.
Mar 21, 2014 11:42:12 #
Mar 21, 2014 12:14:32 #
Lomax wrote:
Most of us who like to shoot birds put feeders in ... (show quote)
Clever. I have a natural bird feeder in my front yard. It's called a tree, and it keeps attracting large woodpeckers. There was one there a few days ago. Usually, they arrive when the weather is warmer. Most of the holes they have made over the years have completely healed and closed up.
Mar 21, 2014 12:16:07 #
Lomax wrote:
"Cedar suet post log feeder for suet plugs" Try saying that fast ten times. :D
Mar 21, 2014 18:24:13 #
Lomax wrote:
I am sorry I guess I didn't make myself clear.I was talking about having a dead tree brought to my yard to attract birds to it so I can take photos of birds on the tree instead of my feeders.I have a couple of wood log suet feeders for my woodpeckers & they love them.Sorry I confused you all!
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