Bird studies with a camera : $b with introductory chapters on the outfit and methods of the bird photographerChapman, Frank M. (Frank Michler)
Science
Bird studies with a camera : $b with introductory chapters on the outfit and methods of the bird photographer
Chapman, Frank M. (Frank Michler)
Birds -- United States; Photography of birds
From a considerable experience which, through poor equipment, has not
yielded adequate return, I am convinced that one may secure excellent
pictures of many birds by decoying them with either a mounted or living
Owl; doubtless the latter would be preferable, though I have never tried
it. With a poorly mounted Screech Owl, however, I have had some
excellent opportunities to photograph. My plan is to select some spot
where birds are numerous, preferably near the home of a Catbird,^{19}
place the Owl in a conspicuous position, and erect near it a “scolding
perch,” from which the protesting bird may conveniently vituperate the
poor unoffending little bunch of feathers with its staring yellow eyes.
The camera is then focused on the scolding perch and the photographer
retires into the undergrowth, and, bulb in hand, waits for some bird to
take the desired stand.
A Catbird’s domain is chosen for the reason that this species is the
alarmist of whatever neighborhood it may inhabit, and once its attention
has been attracted to the Owl by “squeaking” or uttering the alarm notes
of other birds, the photographer may subside and let the Catbird do the
rest.
The bird’s rage is remarkable, its fear painful. Should the Owl be near
to the Catbird’s nest it will utter notes in a tone of voice I have
never heard it use on other occasions. It loses all fear of the camera,
and from the scolding perch screams at the Owl with a vehemence which
threatens to crack its throat. One is glad to remove the offending
cause.
Other birds in the vicinity are of course attracted, and hasten to learn
the meaning of the uproar. Often a bit of undergrowth, of which the
Catbird was apparently the only feathered tenant, will be found to
possess a large bird population. It is interesting to observe the
difference in the actions of various birds as they learn the reason of
the disturbance. On the whole, each species displays its characteristic
disposition in a somewhat accentuated manner. The Blue-winged Warblers
flit to and fro for a few moments and then are gone; the Chestnut-sided
Warbler is quite anxious; the Maryland Yellow-throat somewhat annoyed;
the Ovenbird decidedly concerned; the Towhee bustles about, but seems to
pay no especial attention to the Owl; the Wood Thrush utters its sharp
_pit-pit_, but is content to let well enough alone if its own nest be
not threatened; and the Yellow-throated, Red-eyed, and White-eyed
Vireos, particularly the latter, add their complaining notes to the
chorus of protests. Not one, however, approaches the Catbird in the
force of its remarks, nor does the bird cease to outcry so long as the
Owl is visible.
It is felt that in the foregoing suggestions the methods which may be
employed by the bird photographer are very inadequately described, but,
as was remarked in the preface of this volume, the constantly varying
circumstances attending his work practically prohibit duplication of
experience.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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