Warm gloves are an important piece of gear required to enjoy photographing wildlife during the winter months.
Back in 2017, I published a blogpost recommending the Manzella Bruin asThe Best Gloves For Winter Birding and Photography. The reason I chose these gloves is their combination of warmth, dexterity, and waterproofing.
Before landing on Manzella as my go-to glove, I had tried plenty of others. There were plenty to choose from that were warm enough; the problem was they were too thick to allow me to operate the buttons and switches on my camera and lens, making adjusting my settings on the fly impossible. Conversely, any glove I tried that was thin enough to allow me to operate the buttons just wasn’t warm enough, let alone waterproof and breathable.
Having gloves that allow me to operate the buttons on my camera made adjusting my exposure easy and helped me capture this barred owl with a red squirrel.
After all these years, considering improvements in technology and materials, do I still wear the Manzella Bruin for wildlife photography? No, I don’t, and the reason why is that they were discontinued. Fret not, they were replaced by the Manzella Woodsman, and you can buy them at your local Canadian Tire store.
Since I posted that original blog, I’ve had a lot of positive feedback from people who tried the gloves themselves and were very pleased with them. The original pair had lasted me over 10 years, so there is no question regarding their durability. As my long-time subscribers know, most of my winter outings have had my old dog, Molly, at my side, and now my new dog, Hulk. Even holding on to a rope dog leash doesn’t wear through the reinforced palms of these gloves.
Thanks to my Manzella Woodsman gloves, my hands were toasty warm as I waited for this moose to pop its head up from behind the evergreens.
On Canadian Tire’s website, they only list large and extra-large sizes. Make sure you get a proper fit, because if they are too big, the air at the tips of your fingers will get cold, and these gloves won’t be as effective. Also, if your finger doesn’t reach the tip, it will be hard to operate the buttons, as you will be trying to use the material rather than your finger.
Ladies, these gloves may be too big for you. Manzella does make women’s gloves, but I have not seen them in the Woodsman model. If you find these gloves too big, you could wear a thinner glove underneath to take up some of the slack. Manzella has three warmth ratings: warm, warmer, and warmest, with the Woodsman falling in the warmest category.
Waiting for a beaver to surface and climb up on the ice takes a lot of patience. Warm hands makes the wait more comfortable.
This winter, I’ve taken up skiing to get deep in the backcountry in search of wildlife to photograph. These warm gloves have been perfect because not only do they keep my hands at a comfortable temperature, but they’re also breathable for this increased activity. Again, the reinforced palms show no wear from the poles. I am not the best skier and have fallen a few times, which has led to my hands being buried in the snow, and these gloves are definitely waterproof.
I have yet to try a glove that can beat Manzella when it comes to warm, breathability, and waterproofing while allowing me to operate my camera properly.
These gloves are also great for using my binoculars, as I can easily adjust the focus dial, eyecups, and diopter without removing them.
If you’re in the market for warm gloves this winter, or if you’re like me, you finally wore out your Bruins, head into your local Canadian Tire and pick up a pair of Manzella Woodman gloves.
Sharp images are obtainable without spending a fortune on a camera and lens. This Redhead was photographed with my Panasonic DCFZ80K a point and shoot camera I bought for $399.00.
Sharp images are the goal of every photographer professional or hobbyist. One of the biggest misconceptions in photography is that you need to own expensive gear to achieve sharp photos. In fact, most images lacking sharpness are not the fault of the camera or lens but rather the photographer. So what are some of the main reasons an image lacks sharpness?
Camera Shake – Moving the camera while pressing the shutter often results in a blurry image. Shutter speed and how steady you hold the camera can help to overcome this.
Subject Movement – When photographing wildlife dealing with a moving subject is inevitable. This too can create blur, a result of your shutter speed being too slow.
Missed Focus – Poor focus is a surefire way to end up with a photo that isn’t sharp. This could be from placing your focus point on something that isn’t the subject, choosing an aperture that results in a depth of field that is too narrow, or even pressing the shutter before your camera has a chance to obtain focus on the subject.
As you can see in the examples above, upgrading your camera and lens to the latest most expensive model isn’t going to solve these problems. Now that we know the blame is on us and not our equipment how do we go about obtaining sharp images?
A Black-capped Chickadee photographed with a Canon 55-250mm entry-level telephoto zoom lens one most photographers can’t wait to upgrade.
1. Hold Your Camera Steady
Blurry photos are often the result of camera shake or slight movement as the shutter is pressed. One obvious way to overcome this is to use a tripod but in many cases (including my style of moving around almost constantly) using one is not practical. Instead, paying attention to your technique and how you hold the camera will overcome this. Hold your camera while supporting your lens from underneath with your elbows touching your body and bending your knees slightly. Place one foot in front of the other and make sure both feet are planted firmly on the ground. If possible use a tree or other solid object to help stabilize the camera.
A fast shutter speed not only froze the action of this Red-bellied Woodpecker but also the woodchips he removed from a tree cavity.
2. Choose A Fast Shutter Speed
A good rule of thumb when handholding your camera is to use the reciprocal rule to reduce camera shake. What this means is that you want your shutter speed to be at least one over your focal length. Since most of my images are shot at 400mm this means I want my shutter speed to be at least 1/400. This only applies to a stationary subject. In the case of birds and other fast-moving wildlife, I like my shutter speed at 1/1000 or faster whenever light permits to freeze the action and give me sharp images.
Regardless of your subject, following these eight easy steps will result in sharp images.
3. Consider Using a Monopod
If you struggle to hold your camera steady and despite using a fast shutter speed you still find your images are blurry you might consider using a monopod. Monopods are great for stabilizing your camera and are much lighter and less cumbersome than a tripod. Furthermore, getting ready for a shot is much quicker and easier with a monopod as there is only one support to place on the ground. This also allows you to move around and track a flitting bird much more efficiently. I recently started using a Surui Monopodfor filming videos for my vlog and have found the difference to be night and day when it comes to camera shake. This carbon fiber monopod has a load capacity of 22 lbs and weighs less than a pound making it a treat to carry.
As it was a sunny day and there was plenty of light, I set my aperture to f/8 to photograph this cardinal.
4. Find And Use Your Lens’s Sweet Spot
All lenses regardless of price point are slightly sharper 2/3 to 1 stop narrower than their maximum aperture. For me, with my new Tamron 100-400mm lens my widest aperture at 400mm is f/6.3. Instead of shooting at f/6.3, if light permits, I shoot at f/8 or f/9 as this lens is noticeably sharper at these apertures. This is referred to as the lens’s sweet spot. Find your lens’s sweet spot and you too will notice sharper photos.
Photographing Common Loons from my pack boat was something I enjoyed this past summer. Since it was nearly impossible to keep the boat from moving using the image stabilization built into my lens helped reduce camera shake.
5. Use Image Stabilization (If Equipped)
Most lenses feature image stabilization. Depending on the manufacturer this could be referred to as IS (image stabilizer Canon), VR (vibration reduction Nikon), or VC (vibration compensation Tamron). Image stabilization won’t eliminate camera shake but will certainly help to reduce it. If your lens is equipped, make sure you turn this feature on using the switch on the side of the lens.
Dust and smudges on your camera’s sensor or lens will take away from an image’s sharpness. Keeping your equipment clean will help ensure sharp images.
6. Clean Your Equipment
Just like looking through a dirty window, an image taken with a dirty lens lacks the same colour, contrast, and sharpness leaving it with a greyish hue. Cleaning your lens regularly will remove dust, smudges, and grime resulting in much cleaner looking images. Similarly, cleaning your camera’s sensor will ensure it too is free from dust and blotches that can appear on your final images. I recently cleaned the sensor on my Canon 7D and was amazed at the difference in my photos. This task was quick and easy and gave my images that clean window look.
By choosing a single autofocus point and placing it on this Merlin’s eye I was able to thread the needle through all those branches and obtain focus.
7. Choose One Focus Point And Place It On Your Subject’s Eye
Proper focus is critical to a sharp image. Today’s cameras have so many autofocus points one would think focussing would be a breeze, however, it can be a real challenge. The problem with using all of or a cluster of a camera’s focus points is there is a greater chance of one ending up beside, in front of, or behind your subject such as a tree branch or other object within the frame, thus leaving your subject out of focus. For me, I choose my centre autofocus point and place it right on the subject’s eye. After all, if the eye is sharp the image is sharp.
This Tufted Titmouse was photographed handheld with a Canon 55-250mm kit lens. My camera settings for this shot were 1/1000 at f/8 and ISO 800.
8. Concentrate On Your Breathing
As I’ve mentioned in the past, most of my photography is done on my daily walks with my dog. As a result, my heart rate is a bit higher than that of my resting rate. Add in the excitement when a potential image presents itself and my heart rate increases further. Breathing heavy or a fast heart rate can result in camera shake so it’s important to concentrate on your breathing before taking the shot. After composing and focussing your shot, breath in deeply through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Once you have expelled almost your entire breath press the shutter. This will result in less shake and sharper images. This technique is used by military-trained snipers to eliminate shake before they take a shot and has helped improve my final images.
Sharp images are simply a matter of making a few adjustments before pressing the shutter.
Blaming our gear for images that are not sharp is something we have all done; however, it is we who are to blame. If your images lack sharpness be sure to try these eight simple steps before rushing out and buying a new camera or lens. Most times, the difference between a sharp image and one that ends up in your PC’s recycle bin is only a matter of a simple adjustment before pressing the shutter.
* Please note this post contains Amazon affiliate links. You can help support my website by using the above links when you purchase products on Amazon (they send me a few bucks when you do at no additional cost to you). I only provide links to products I have purchased and am satisfied with based on my own experience. Thanks for your support!*
I was back birding in Southwestern Ontario this week after five months up north. On my first outing close to home Great Blue Herons were readily observed.
Having been back in Southwestern Ontario for a little over a week I finally found time to get out for some birding. With so many options close to home I decided on Pinery Provincial Park. Why the Pinery? Easy, I wanted somewhere I could bird from my pack boat as well as on foot and the Pinery seemed like a logical choice based on the success I had there last year at this time. One of the best ways to be successful birding is to repeat what works. If I had great birding in late October there last year chances are (under similar conditions) the birding would be fantastic again this October. I like to bird with the adage in mind if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
The leaves have not changed much at Pinery Provincial Park; however, the subtle yellows and browns provided a nice backdrop for this heron.
Loading up my gear I left home just after 8 a.m. As I headed north I could see the clear blue sky in the direction of the park. With sunny skies and classic rock playing on the radio, I could feel my excitement building. Arriving at the park just over an hour later, I put my boat in the water and was heading down the Old Ausable Channel by 9:30 a.m. Several Canada Geese that were hanging around the launch area began to honk as I slipped through the water. Looking into the emergent vegetation along the shoreline I could see a Great Blue Heron standing motionless with its head tucked in and feathers puffed out. This is typical behavior of a bird trying to keep warm as it was a chilly start to the morning.
Downy Woodpecker
Continuing down the river a pair of Wood Ducks took flight. These birds are extremely skittish and I only managed a brief look as they disappeared out of sight while their high-pitched whistles softened. Downy, Hairy, and Red-bellied Woodpeckers were all seen and heard in the large trees lining the banks as I paddled along. It is here where I often see the less common Red-headed Woodpecker but unfortunately, on this day there was none present. At least none that I saw or heard anyway. Given this bird’s current status in the province (special concern) and that they are a short-distance migrant not seeing any wasn’t too surprising.
This Pileated Woodpecker was observed high above the Old Ausable Channel preening.
Glancing up into a large tree, I could see the silhouette of a Pileated Woodpecker. As I admired this crow-sized bird another Pileated flew into a nearby tree. Raising my camera I snapped a few photos of the bird that was busy preening while the second bird flew across the river.
Great Blue Heron flying down the river.
As I paddled my way to the far end of the park I had some incredible views of Great Blue Herons. Three in total were present along the river and fortunately were posed in some pretty amazing positions and scenes. One bird, in particular, repeatedly flew short distances ahead of me as I paddled providing ample opportunities for flight shots.
This Fox Sparrow was observed near the visitor centre.
After my paddle, I made my way to the Cedar Trail behind the visitor centre. The feeders were not out at the visitor centre my guess is due to COVID-19 and the park not wanting people congregating in this area. That didn’t mean there weren’t birds present as I quickly located two Fox Sparrows and could hear the calls of a Tufted Titmouse.
Making my way down the trail bird sound filled the air. The most predominant sound was that of the Golden-crowned Kinglet a bird I saw hundreds of this day. As it tried unsuccessfully to photograph the kinglets (mostly bum shots and obstructed views) a female Eastern Towhee flew over the trail landing on the ground in the thick brush. As this bird scratched up food from the ground with its feet in true towhee fashion I failed to capture a clear image through all the branches. Arriving back at the car I heard the call of Sandhill Cranes but never laid eyes on the birds. I’m not sure if these birds were flying over or perhaps calling from the vegetation in the southern section of the river.
Blue Jay
Now it was time to check out the Heritage Trail. This is one of my favourites in the park. Beautiful habitat and a nice lookout over the river are why this trail is so appealing to me. This trail has been a good one in the past for seeing deer, turkeys, and several woodpecker species. On this day, Blue Jays were moving through the woods in good numbers presumably migrating and likely feeding on acorns as this trail has several mature oak trees.
Be sure to take peanuts halves or black oil sunflower seed to the Pinery if you go as many of the birds including chickadees will feed from your hand.
Finally, it was off to the beach 9 picnic area. This area always has lots of birds present and today was no different. Park visitors regularly feed the birds by hand here and it’s not uncommon to have chickadees land on you looking for a handout even if you aren’t toting seed. Other birds can be fed by hand in the beach 9 picnic area including the Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, and even Downy Woodpecker. This is also a great location to achieve views of some of the park’s cute rodents including chipmunks and Red Squirrels.
Pinery Provincial Park is my favourite place to get close views of the Tufted Titmouse.
All in all, it was a great day getting back to birding in Southwestern Ontario after so many months away. I know throughout the remainder of fall and winter I will make several trips back to Pinery Provincial Park as it is a fantastic place to bird, hike, paddle, and picnic.
Good birding,
Paul
*Earlier this year I launched my vlog from Pinery Provincial Park. You can watch that inaugural video here.*
Red-headed Woodpeckers are one of the many birds found at John E. Pearce Provincial Park.
Here in Ontario we are fortunate to have a magnitude of provincial parks many of which offer great birding opportunities. In Elgin county, only about a 30-minute drive from London, there is a small provincial park that over the past few years has quickly become one of my favourites.John E. Pearce Provincial Park located on Lakeview Line is a hidden gem when it comes to great areas for birding. Each time I have visited this park, I have been impressed with the assortment of birds observed within its 68 hectare area.
When I visit John E. Pearce Provincial Park there is one species in particular that I hope to observe, the Red-headed Woodpecker. Often confused with the much more common Red-bellied Woodpecker, the Red-headed Woodpecker is currently listed as special concern on Ontario’s species at risk list and populations seem to be limited to isolated areas throughout southern Ontario. Fortunately, John E. Pearce Provincial Park happens to be one of these isolated areas. In fact, I have yet to visit this small park without adding one of these beautiful woodpeckers to my daily list.
Within minutes of arriving at the park, this Red-headed Woodpecker landed on a telephone pole at the north end of the parking lot.
Early June is my favourite time to visit John E. Pearce Provincial Park. The birding at this time of year there is great, and I have always had rewarding days. This past week, I made the short drive down to the park for a day of birding with the hopes of observing a Red-headed Woodpecker. In a previous blog post,How To Prepare For The Image Of A Lifetime: A Step By Step Approach I talked about the importance of being ready when a shot presents itself. After arriving at the park mid-morning I was a bit hungry so decided eating an energy bar would be a good idea before getting started. Fortunately, I had already performed many of the preparation steps mentioned in that post because as I was standing beside my car enjoying the bar a Red-headed Woodpecker landed on a telephone pole at the end of the parking lot. With my camera at the ready, I was able to quickly raise it to my face and capture several images of the bird while clenching half the bar between my teeth. Though not the most orthodox style of shooting it does demonstrate the importance of having your camera and settings ready.
June is my favourite month to visit John E. Pearce Provincial Park in search of the Red-headed Woodpecker.
Having had an encounter with a Red-headed Woodpecker only minutes after arriving at the park, I knew that it was going to be a special day. In my previous visits to John E. Pearce Provincial Park, all of my Red-headed Woodpecker sightings have been within close proximity to the parking lot located next to the Backus-Page House Museum, so very little walking is required for anyone wishing to locate and photograph these birds. After circling the old barn located on the museum site, I noticed a second Red-headed Woodpecker in a large tree on the other end of the property. With two of these beautiful birds located in this small area, I spent much of my time here observing and photographing them.
This Brown Thrasher was among the many birds observed within the park.
Wanting to get a walk in, I decided to hike the 1.5 km Spicer Trail that runs through the Carolinian Forest. Several other bird species were observed including great views of a Brown Thrasher. House Wrens and Baltimore Orioles were also abundant. A nice variety of flycatchers were seen with Great-crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, and Eastern Phoebe all being recorded. Yellow Warblers, Indigo Buntings, Gray Catbirds, and Chipping Sparrows rounded out the birds that were easily located.
A curious fawn was an added bonus to an otherwise great day of birding.
As I walked through the forest, Eastern Chipmunks and White-tailed Deer could be seen on either side of the trail. At one point, I came across a doe with two young fawns. Watching these small deer was quite enjoyable and an added bonus to an already amazing day. Below is a short video I recorded of one of the fawns. For best quality, be sure to choose HD from the settings in the bottom right corner and make sure your speakers are on to hear the accompanying bird sounds.
A birding first came for me while visiting John E. Pearce Provincial Park. This did not come in the form of a new bird for my life list but rather I observed all seven woodpecker species found in our area at one location. Red-headed, Red-bellied, Downy, Hairy, Pileated, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and Northern Flicker were all seen within the park and as someone who loves woodpeckers this was a pretty awesome experience.
If seeing a Red-headed Woodpecker is on your bucket list, I highly recommend planning a visit to John E. Pearce Provincial Park.
John E. Pearce Provincial Park is a great destination for any birder and I cannot recommend it enough. On this day I had the park to myself and was treated to some amazing encounters with nature as I have on all my visits. There is no fee to enjoy the park and amenities including washrooms and picnic tables are available for park users. If you are looking for a new place for your next birding excursion, one that is home to an abundance of species including the uncommon Red-headed Woodpecker, give John E. Pearce Provincial Park a try, I think you will be glad you did.
Knowing where to find a flock of robins based on the week’s observations resulted in this image of one feeding following an ice storm.
When people take a look at my images, the same question and comment seems to always come up. “How long did you have to wait to get that shot?” or “you must be really patient”. Yes, I am patient, but rarely do I apply this to my photography. I find that being observant is far more advantageous, and yields better results than being patient. There are many photographers out there who will sit in a blind all day demonstrating great patience to get the shot. I, however, prefer to keep moving and observe the wildlife around me and their behaviour, so that I can later put myself in a position to get the shot. This not only saves time, but it also allows me to cover more ground and photograph more species.
I like visiting new areas, but I also enjoy returning to old favourites. By making several visits to the same location, I am able to observe the wildlife in that area and make note of their behaviour and any patterns that I observe. You may be surprised at how predictable an animal can be after observing it for several days in the same location. This to me far outweighs staying in one location all day, in hopes of a bird flying by or landing within range.
Rather than waiting all day in frigid temperatures for robins that may or may not show up, I prefer to use observation over patience.
Let me give you a few examples to demonstrate. During winter months one of my favourite locations to bird is along the Thames River. With the abundance of waterfowl, songbirds and the easy walking on the plowed trails, I find it hard to stay away. American Robins can often be observed all winter feeding in the various fruit trees that grow along the river banks. One winter, I observed the same flock repeatedly over the course of a week as I walked along the river from Greenway to Springbank Park. As fruit was consumed, the birds would move ever so slightly down the bank each day following the food source. One February morning I woke up to the remnants of an incredible ice storm. I immediately thought how great those robins would look feeding on the berries with the branches all covered in ice. I grabbed my camera, jumped in my truck and headed to the park. As predicted, there was the flock of robins gorging themselves on berries following the inclement weather. I fired off several shots and was very happy with the results when I returned home. No sitting, waiting or patience required, only knowing where the birds would be based on that week’s observations allowed me to achieve these images. My total time in the field that day was 15 minutes.
After watching this Bald Eagle perched in the same tree at the same time on multiple days, I decided to return another day a bit earlier to capture its landing.The second of a series of frames capturing the juvenile Bald Eagle landing.
Bald Eagles and other raptors can be very predictable if observed repeatedly. I often find the same bird perched in the same tree at the same time every day. By paying attention to these details I save a lot of time, energy and gas when looking to photograph birds. One week while observing Bald Eagles, I found one particular juvenile bird always perched in the same tree every day at 11 am. I managed several static shots of the bird but wanted some flight shots as well. Not wanting to wait all day, or being one to bait birds or chase them off a perch in order to get a flight shot, I simply returned to the location a few minutes before 11 am the next day. As anticipated, the eagle approached its favourite perch and I was able to capture several frames of the large raptor in flight, prior to its landing. Again, no patience was required, only the power of observation.
Being in position at the right time based on observation, resulted in this series of shots.The final shot, the juvenile Bald Eagle now perched in the tree. Total waiting time for this series of shots, about six minutes.
This past winter, birders flocked from all over Southwestern Ontario to the Thames River in hopes of getting a glimpse of the rare Harlequin Duck that overwintered on the river. A lifer for me, I found myself down at the river every chance I had trying to photograph this beautiful bird. It didn’t take long for me to pick up on this bird’s habits and behaviour. The Harlequin Duck is a bird of fast-moving water and this particular bird demonstrated this perfectly. I was able to observe the bird repeatedly as he dove and fed in a small section of rapids. Once it had drifted downstream out of the rapids and into the slower moving water it would then fly upstream to just ahead of the rapids and perform the same drift again. I watched as this duck did this over and over again. Situated where there was a nice clearing in the trees, I was able to get multiple shots of not only the duck diving and feeding, but also flight shots as it passed by before making another drift.
I cannot tell you the number of birders I watched chase this Harlequin Duck up and down the river trying to photograph it through trees and other obstructions. I spoke to a few onlookers holding cameras who had gathered in hopes of getting a shot. I explained that the bird would be back, and suggested staying put and being ready. Sure enough, only a few minutes passed and back came the Harlequin Duck in flight upriver and right passed us. The other photographers were not only excited to capture the bird as it flew then floated by, but were surprised how I knew the bird would be back. Simply observing the bird over the course of a few days was all I needed to understand and predict its behaviour, resulting in the shots I wanted and an incredible experience.
A few days of observing this Harlequin Duck’s behaviour was all I needed to put myself into a position to achieve the shots I was after.
These are only a few examples of my experiences where being observant far outweighed being patient. For me, observation results in more images than waiting all day for them to happen. Knowing and excepting that the shot I am looking for may not present itself that day and moving on is where my patience comes in. Patience for me comes over an extended period of time rather than devoting an entire day to staying in one spot. Observing the same bird over the course of several days, not only gives me the opportunity to achieve the shot I want, but it also allows the bird to become accustomed to my presence and less timid.
For most of us, photography is a hobby. Our lives are too busy to spend eight hours a day in the field waiting for a shot to present itself. We can, however, find time several times a week to get out for a walk with our cameras, and closely watch the wildlife that we come across to pick up a few patterns. By doing this I think you will achieve greater results in not only what you see, but what you are able to capture with your camera as well.
This Black-capped Chickadee was photographed using a Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens, my go to lens for bird photography. Is a lens of this cost necessary to achieve acceptable results?
I recently published a blog post titled Photographing Birds: Tips and Tricks, where I shared information about getting the most out of your camera and lens by finding its “sweet spot” and shooting within its limitations. The images I used in that post were all shot with my Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens, a lens that retails in Canada for $1499.00. Like almost everyone else, I started out with a much less expensive kit lens. Realizing that many people are shooting with kit lenses I wanted to demonstrate that acceptable images are achievable with equipment that costs much less. For this post, I decided to dig out my old kit lens, a Canon EFS55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II. I have not shot with this lens since December of 2012, but wanted to illustrate the kind of results that can be achieved with a lens that retails for $229.00, and is included with many Canon DSLRs at the time of purchase.
Taking the time to understand your camera’s functions and perfecting your skill is more advantageous than spending thousands of dollars on a new lens. This Black-capped Chickadee was photographed using a Canon EFS 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II Kit lens.
Although equipment plays an important role in photography, technique and knowing how to use that equipment are even more important. Image quality has a lot more to do with the person behind the camera and lens than many people may realize. The main things you can do to improve your image quality are: take the time to learn and fully understand your camera functions, be able to quickly adjust your settings to changing conditions, and utilize techniques to steady your lens. Even if your budget allows for a $10,000 lens (for example, a 500mm f4), don’t expect to achieve instant results. The fact of the matter is, if you don’t hold the lens steady or properly expose your images, expensive equipment isn’t going to do you much good.
The added reach and increased auto focus speed are what I deem the two biggest advantages in a lens upgrade. This Black-capped Chickadee was photographed using the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens. Retail price $1499.00Getting close to your subject will make up for lost reach. This Photo was taken using the Canon EFS 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II lens. Retail price $299.00
So if I can achieve results I am happy with using my kit lens, what do I get from a lens that costs five times as much? First of all, added reach. The extra 150mm comes in very handy because we all know how hard it is to get close to birds and wildlife without scaring them off. The build quality, including optics are better. Yes, better optics will give better results, but again, only if used properly. Most kit lenses are constructed mainly of plastic, where the Canon L series are mostly metal. For me this is not a huge issue as I am pretty careful with my equipment. For someone who travels a lot, the added durability of metal will help protect against light bumps. Drop either lens and I’m sure the fact that the kit lens is plastic will be the least of my worries. The Canon 100-400 is also partially weather sealed, providing increased protection against dust and moisture. This added build quality translates to added weight. My Canon 100-400mm weighs just over three pounds. A lens hood and case were also included with the Canon 100-400mm. The thing I like most about my Canon 100-400mm is the auto focus. Canon’s USM (ultrasonic motor) is incredibly fast and accurate. This to me, is worth every penny. Some bird species move incredibly fast and almost constantly, making focusing on them extremely difficult. Photographing birds in flight is also much easier with a lens that features a USM.
Black-capped Chickadee. Canon EFS 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II.
Achieving results with a kit lens is possible if you keep a few things in mind. As is the case with any lens in wildlife photography, get as close as possible. For some bird species, especially waterfowl, this can be difficult. Many birds in your backyard or at the local park are accustomed to human activity and can be approached closely. For other species this requires increased patience or hiding in a certain spot waiting for the bird to come into view. I find auto focus speed to be the biggest set back of a kit lens. In an area where there are leaves, branches and other obstructions, locking onto the target can sometimes take the lens longer then the subject is willing to wait. If this is the case, switch over to manual focus. By rotating the focus ring manually you will be able to track and lock onto flitting birds much faster. Be sure to hold your camera and lens as steady as possible. Even with image stabilization and fast shutter speeds, camera shake will quickly ruin an otherwise acceptable shot. If camera shake is a problem, than the use of a monopod will be beneficial.
I have been photographing birds and wildlife for three years now, and have seen improvements to my images in that time. I have read and watched countless tutorials, and spent hours practicing what I have learned. There has been much trial and error along the way, and there is always room for improvement. My photographs are by no means perfect, but I am happy with the results that I achieve. My first camera and lens combination was a Canon T3i with the EFS 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II that suited me quite well. After understanding the functions of the camera and honing my skills and technique, I realized an equipment upgrade could improve my photography. My current set up, the Canon 7D and EF100-400mm f/4.6-5.6L IS USM gives me more reach, faster auto focus and more frames per second, three things that help with bird photography. When I sit back and scrutinize my images, I look to see what I could have done to improve the image quality. Perhaps I should have selected a faster shutter speed or different aperture. Maybe instead of focusing on the bird’s eye, I focused on the branch beside it. Camera shake is often to blame for my blurry images, even with the use of image stabilization. In all of these cases human error was to blame for the missed shot, not my equipment.
Refining your technique will reward you with better results than investing in an expensive lens. Canon EFS 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
If you are a serious hobbyist like me, than upgrading your kit lens can help you achieve better results. Expensive lenses help reduce the limitations put on photographers by their equipment, but is not however a substitute for skill and technique. If you are currently shooting with a kit lens, practice achieving the best possible results with your set up. Work on being able to adjust ISO, shutter speed, and aperture quickly while shooting. Become familiar with your camera’s various metering modes, and the use of exposure compensation. These are elements of photography that are incredibly helpful in many shooting situations. When you consistently get results you are happy with, yet find range and focus speed are holding your photography back, then consider upgrading your lens. If you are not getting the results you hoped for from your camera and lens set-up, consider signing up for a one on one workshop.
The brilliant red wing feathers of the Cedar Waxwing often go overlooked unless viewed from close range.
If you are looking for excellent views of the beautiful Cedar Waxwing, late fall, and early winter is the perfect time. These colourful birds are a year-round resident of our area, but with leafless trees and predictable movements at this time of year, some of the best views are now achievable.
Cedar Waxwings can be found in a wide variety of habitats including deciduous, coniferous, and mixed forests, city parks, backyards, and alongside rivers and ponds. Their diet mainly consists of fruits and berries, but during summer months insects are also consumed. Waxwings are a common backyard visitor if you happen to have Serviceberry, Mountain Ash, Dogwoods, or other fruit-producing trees and shrubs in your yard. Unless you have a large property with several fruit trees, visits will likely be short-lived as these birds quickly devour all the fruit from a tree and then move on.
The diet of a Cedar Waxwing consists solely of berries during winter months.
During late fall and winter, large flocks of Cedar Waxwings can be found feeding on remaining berries on various trees and shrubs. With a limited diet and food sources this time of year, locating these birds is quite easy. Find berries and you will find Cedar Waxwings. Once a flock is located, they can be observed feeding in the same location for days until all of the fruit is consumed. In areas where fruit trees are abundant, Cedar Waxwings will be found all winter, only moving short distances to search for food.
This past week I discovered a large flock of Cedar Waxwings feeding on berries in Springbank Park. The flock was observed feeding daily in the same group of trees. The birds were more interested in feeding than they were concerned with my presence, and many views were had from merely an arm’s length away. In fact, I had to step back in order to photograph the birds with a 400mm lens. The week passed and the trees are now completely void of berries. Fortunately, the area is full of fruit trees and I located the flock only a short distance away. Knowing these predictable feeding areas and movements will provide excellent views, and photo opportunities all winter as the birds move along the river.
Cedar Waxwing reaching for a berry.
The silent movements of Cedar Waxwings often go unnoticed as they flit around consuming berries. It is not uncommon to be right next to these birds without detecting their presence. Learning their soft whistling call is a great help in locating Cedar Waxwings. Flocks of Waxwings will regularly perch high in trees letting out their soft calls while others feed closer to the ground. It is these faint whistles that will alert you of Cedar Waxwings in the area.
Pay close attention to trees and shrubs that still contain fruit next time you are out birding. When an area is discovered, listen for the soft whistles of the Cedar Waxwing. Once located, these birds will provide colourful views for you all winter long.
Horned Grebes continue to be seen in London, Ontario. This one is now starting to show it’s breeding plumage.
There is a nice mix of birds around the forest city right now. Spring migration has been a bit slow with the weather holding it back, but new species continue to trickle in. The lower temperatures have the species that overwintered in our area sticking around, and there is also the wonderful population of resident species that call London home.
American Tree Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos are a couple of the winter species that are still present. Wintering waterfowl, including grebe species such as the Horned and Red-necked, were still seen on the Thames River this past week. Both are now starting to show their breeding plumage quite nicely. Buffleheads, Common Mergansers, as well as Greater and Lesser Scaup were also seen, but only a few remain. With upcoming high temperatures expected in the teens, this could be the last week we see these birds in our area.
Turkey Vultures are one of the larger birds that can now be seen soaring over the city.
As mentioned, spring migrants continue to move in with a few new species seen this week. Tree Swallows, Eastern Phoebe, and Osprey all returned to London earlier this week. Other species observed were Chipping Sparrows and Golden-crowned Kinglets. A pair of Double-crested Cormorants were also seen on the river.
A complete list of birds observed is as follows:
Song Sparrows are quite vocal this time of year. They are often heard long before they are seen.
American Black Duck
American Goldfinch
American Robin
American Tree Sparrow
American Wigeon
Black-capped Chickadee
Blue Jay
Blue-winged Teal
Brown-headed Cowbird
Bufflehead
Canada Goose
Cedar Waxwing
Chipping Sparrow
Common Grackle
Common Merganser
Dark-eyed Junco
Double-crested Cormorant
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
European Starling
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Greater Scaup
Hairy Woodpecker
Horned Grebe
House Finch
House Sparrow
Killdeer
Lesser Scaup
Mallard
Mourning Dove
Northern Cardinal
Osprey
Pied-billed Grebe
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Red-necked Grebe
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-winged Blackbird
Ring-billed Gull
Song Sparrow
Tree Swallow
Turkey Vulture
White-breasted Nuthatch
Wood Duck
This male Brown-headed Cowbird is a type of blackbird that can be found around the city.
It looks like we are finally going to see some consistent warm temperatures over the next week. Normally this would bring in new migrating species, but with isolated showers in the forecast, this may slow the process down. With each day that passes there is the possibility to see something new, which is what drives all birders. Remember to keep your feeders full as these birds will be looking to replenish energy. Hopefully you all will be able to find time this week to enjoy the weather and some of the wonderful birds we have here in London, Ontario
