Bird Blinds

A bird blind, as the name suggests, keeps the birds blind to your presence, so that you can take plenty of close-up pictures of birds in their natural activity. You can purchase a bird blind or make it yourself, but the idea is always the same: keep the birds from recognizing your presence. 

 

A manufactured bird blind often costs between eighty and two hundred dollars and is designed for outdoor setup. Some companies even sell floating blinds that you can use for cover as you wade towards aquatic birds. 

 

Another option, however, is make your own bird blind using a tent or a large cardboard box. You want to completely cover yourself, leaving only a hole for your camera lens. You can also create a bird blind in your house or car by covering the window (except for the camera hole). Many birds are used to cars, so you do not need to cover the entire car, just enough so that the bird cannot see you moving around inside the car. 

 

Once you have your bird blind, set it up a day or two before you plan to use it so that the birds can get accustomed to it. Then, take whatever you need into the bird blind so that you can stay there for a long period of time. Have a chair (your bird blind should be tall enough to allow you to sit comfortably), some food, and all your camera equipment inside your bird blind. Unless you enter your bird blind before the birds awake, the birds will likely leave the area when you arrive. Be patient and quiet; they will most likely return shortly. 

 

If you don’t want to use a bird blind, you can always just walk through the woods in search of birds. This practice is simpler than using a bird blind, but the results are not as good. Another option, however, is to place a scarecrow in a chair near the birds for a few days. Once the birds have accepted the scarecrow, replace the scarecrow with yourself.