One way of getting some terrific photographs of birds at your feeding station is to ensure you have a few natural looking props. This was explored in our pages called Photo Tips: Using Nature's Props and Creating an Inviting Environment. We found that placing twigs and branches near a food source gives us some great opportunities for get some wonderful photographs.

These Chestnut-backed Chickadees both take advantage of perching on a twig that has been secured in a spot where we can zoom in with the camera lens.
|
The whole scene changes with different weather. Snowfall brings a new dimension resulting in a delightful photograph of a Bewick's Wren perched delicately on the twig.
|
Bushtits arrive in small flocks and are very busy birds. They are hard to photograph but these two used the perch to wait their turn at the food source, a suet filled pine cone which is out of view. You'll see in the right image that as the snow melts away the background is also changing.
|
A Dark-eyed Junco also takes advantage of the perch on this snowy day.
|
To really completely change the background it's time to add something else. Wiring some conifer twigs, (preferably with cones attached) to our main prop results in a great-looking background.
|
The conifer twigs really created a natural-looking background. The new props were quickly ignored by the birds and they continued to use the perch. This Chestnut-backed Chickadee looks very happy and at home in this photograph. | House Sparrows may not be everyone's favourite bird, but they are discussed in bird books and guides and someone has had to have taken their photograph.
|
Experiment by changing the background as the seasons change. Adding berries and other vegetation can make a great different. Here a Chestnut-backed Chickadee (left) and Dark-eyed Junco pose for us.
|
Dereila Nature Inn Home > All Things Natural Restaurant > Photo Tips: Changing the Background