Photographing the Cavity Nester

Photographing nesting birds is so much fun, cavity nesters, even more so. But it is not easy to do. First, you have to safeguard your subject, next you have the technology to figure out, and lastly, got get the shot. This video will walk you through the entire process to get the photograph!

[@darrendavy4248]

Thank you, really informative and interesting, this video helped a lot. Great photographs.

[@MoosePeterson]

thanks so much for dropping by and the kind words!

[@kentkloman48]

Did anyone else wonder if that spider was going to crawl inside his shirt? That would’ve been a great CZcams moment.

[@MoosePeterson]

how do you know he didn't crawl out of there? :-)

[@cmichaelhaugh8517]

Fascinating stuff. Gives me a whole new project the next time I visit Tucson with the saguaro cactus nesting holes. Thanks Moose!

[@redauwg911]

Great video Moose... Thank you.

[@MoosePeterson]

you're the best ... thank you!

[@richerich8007]

Another excellent video Moose, thanks!

[@MoosePeterson]

Thanks ever so much, for watching and the kind words! :-)

[@yardsalepicasso9413]

Kinda reminds me of boxing. If you see the punch you missed the shot. Great explanation.

[@MoosePeterson]

thanks for watching!

[@coltharwood494]

When I first saw your photos awhile about I was wondering how you managed focus. I had thought you used autofocus. Thanks for clearing that up.

[@kdj.imagery4317]

What about using the flash, how do you refrain from spooking birds while using flash? I try and point the head away from the bird, then use the flash test button and fire it once so the bird doesn't get spooked when I actually fire off a shot.

[@MoosePeterson]

Why would flash spook birds? It's a shorter and quieter light than lightning which doesn't spook them. If you find the birds spooked when you use flash, it's something else going on, not the flash going off.

[@kdj.imagery4317]

@@MoosePeterson Yes, it's a bit odd but there have been times when I use my flash and with certain birds they flinch when I snap the photo and I get a un-natural looking shot! I thought it to be the sound of my shutter, however they don't react when I just shoot without the flash. I shot a Prothonotary Warbler a few weeks ago and my flash didn't seem to bother it to much! Just me being weird I guess.

[@MoosePeterson]

@@kdj.imagery4317 not being there, sorry, don't have anything to say that might be of help

[@dougsobel2571]

excellent tips! btw I recently found out my friend Martin Kleinbard knows you. I have to get up to Mammoth soon!

[@wildlifeclips439]

This is the rig I 'll buy when I grow up.

[@kimpilegaard5828]

Thank you very much for the inspiring video. I wonder about the setup with the flash at 1/32 and the shutter speed at 1/125s. Does it work to freeze the movement of the bird, because without the flash, the image would be quite underexposed?

[@MoosePeterson]

thanks for watching. The flash is what freeses the motion of the nuthatch. The flash is not lighting the scene and exposure for the scene would not be changed without it.