Get Your Gear Set-Up Correctly For Birds Nesting

^{Note: This tip comes from Photzy’s 10 Bird Photography Cheat Sheet Snap Cards.}

Birds captured in the nest are some of the most prized photos in the bird photography community. This particular type of bird photography requires birding knowledge, excellent photography skills, and patience.

Remember: Never disturb a bird’s nest or get too close!

Gear up!

• Any camera with an extended focal length lens.

  Note: Excellent Low Noise & High ISO is a huge bonus.

• A high-quality zoom lens in a longer focal length range.

  
  a. 150 – 600mm lens is an excellent choice.

  • Look for a wide maximum aperture. A fixed maximum aperture of f/5.6 would be highly desirable in this focal length range.

  b. 100 – 400mm lens will handle most situations

  • The weight and length of the lens are important considerations.

  c. 70-200mm is limiting but occasionally useful.

  • A tripod collar is a bonus, and weather-resistant models will hold up better to the demanding conditions found in bird photography.
    

  • A fixed focal length lens in a telephoto range can be nice as these lenses tend to be very sharp and focus quickly. The downside is cost and limitations in composing from a fixed position.

Set It Up!

• Set your camera file format to RAW. This will provide maximum opportunities in post-production.
  
  Note: .Jpg can also be used and has one major advantage. Cameras can buffer this format with greater speed.

• A good starting point for the ISO setting is 800. You can then raise or lower it as needed for your conditions.

• Set the Drive Mode to Single Shot. While using the faster drive mode might seem better, it typically isn’t. The noise created can scare any birds in the area.
  
  Note: If you feel you must use the rapid drive mode, most cameras have a ‘silent’ setting that will quiet the camera a bit.

• The Shooting Mode should be Manual Mode if the lighting conditions are consistent. If the lighting conditions are changing, go with either the Shutter Priority auto mode or the Aperture Priority auto mode.

  
  Note: Use Shutter Priority if the light levels are low to ensure a sharp image (focus on the eyes). Use the Aperture Priority Mode if the lighting conditions are bright but changing, such as clouds blowing across a blue sky.

  

  Photograph by Mathew Schwartz

• Set the Focus Points to a small (9 or less) central cluster.

• Set the White Balance to ‘Auto.’
  Note: Unless you are shooting during the ‘Golden Hour,’ in which case, set the WB to Daylight.

• Set the Shutter Speed to 1/150^th or faster.

• Set the Aperture for a correct exposure (f/2.8 – F/11).

• Image Stabilization is turned on.

  Note: Unless you’re mounted to a tripod.

• Focus Tracking should be turned on. (Most cameras should have this feature.)

• The Highlight Indicator should be turned on. (Not all cameras will have this feature.)

Want more? If you want to learn more about bird photography, and capture beautiful shots of your own, we recommend downloading and printing out Photzy’s 10 Bird Photography Cheat Sheets (Special bonus available now!)