How to Photograph Fieldfares - Bird Photography from the Tragopan Hokki V2 Hide (Blind)
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- Опубліковано 9 лип 2024
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How to Photograph Fieldfares - using the Tragopan Hokki V2 Hide
I set up a low level hide to photograph Fieldfares feeding on apples in an orchard. The photo session is a massive success - I've never come close to getting images like this, of these birds before! The hide I'm using is the Tragopan Hokki V2 Low Level Hide. (There is now an upgraded version of this hide - the V3)
Filmed with Canon M50 and 15-45mm lens.
Equipment: Canon 1DX Mark i, Canon 500mm f/4 Mark i lens, Wildife Watching Supplies Beanbag
Fieldfares Part1: Watch me photographing Fieldfares lying down in the snow: • Winter Bird Photograph...
Tragopan Hokki V2 Hide Review: • The Tragopan Hokki V2 ...
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Great video and images Paul
I really like that you display your camera settings with your photographs got our benefit, thanks man.
I like that hide. Great vid.
I have never been lucky enough to see fieldfares yet so it was great to see how many you had in your back garden/ field. Nice shots Paul thanks for sharing :D Teddy
They are very beautiful. Not my back garden unfortunately.. but I do spend a lot of time here!
@@PaulMiguelPhotography Ah I see I just assumed it was ; )
nice shots and great video
Thank you Adrian.
Crazy 👍👍👍
Fantastic ❤️❤️❤️
Our American Robins love soft apples, too. I found that by slicing apples crossways and then microwaving them to softness, they make excellent Frisbees the birds enjoy. I did this when we had days of snow and food was scarce. - Elaine J.
Just discovered this today for my girlfriend who has just got into photography more seriously, these vids have been so helpful!! Your bird ones are excellent.
Great to hear. many thanks!
Your efforts were rewarded with some cracking photos. The Fieldfares are such beautiful birds. Your images did them justice. Thanks for sharing some wonderful moments Paul.
Cheers Pauline. It was a great experience.. and lots learnt if I do it again next year.
Wow great images good to see you in the hide ! Terrific photos Paul 👏👏 another really enjoyable video love your dedication was out taking pictures of the snow and freezing 🥶 but doing what we enjoy most, keep us entertained! 👍
Glad you enjoyed it Paul. Thank you!
Lovely shots of the Fieldfare great set up stay safe keep posting great vlogs when you can
Great video Paul, have been following you for a few years but somehow you "fell" off my list, have a lot to see now when I'm sick :-)
I hope you are feeling better. Nice to have you back!
Another very good vid Paul. Not sure why I watched it really as no way could I get into one of those low hides. Well I could probably get in but ............
It is very difficult. I can only do for two hours or so. Preferably less!
Some very nice shots Paul, your persistence has certainly paid of, brilliant stuff.
You brought your A game today and now you can say "I love it when a plan comes together".
Haha! Nice..
Well done in producing such a terrific video with lovely images.
Thank you very much Michael, that was very kind.
Stunning images those Paul. The male blackbird with its tail up is a stunner to, lovely pastel backgrounds 👍. The Matt I lie on, I made myself. I got some foam from Dunelm and put it inside a heavy duty refuse sack from Asda. Does the job warm and very light to carry.
Thank you very much Michael. I was very happy with that image. I like you ingenuity
Watch me photographing Fieldfares in the snow in this video: ua-cam.com/video/yqIp5xNgAr8/v-deo.html
Really pleased to see you are finally having some success with the Fieldfares on apples. A few tips as I've had quite a bit of experience of this. Firstly, as you've discovered, the Thrushes (Blackbirds, Fieldfares etc) prefer the half eaten apples. However, there is a way you can cheat and make the whole hard apples attractive. Just cut the whole apples in half. The birds much prefer these. By moving the apples around you can herd the feeding birds into the best position to photograph. As you've discovered, the Blackbirds are bolder than the Fieldfares, but the Fieldfares being other Thrushes, hate watching the Blackbirds eating the prime apples, and will overcome their fear. So often I put a lot of the half-eaten apples in the prime area to photograph them. Once you get the Blackbirds feeding on them the Fieldfares will come into take over. I use a 100-400 mkII, so want them close. I've had Fieldfares feeding right under my lens. You can easily get them to come to 6 foot or less. Yes at first the shutter will scare them. The answer is to get them used to it. Just fire off shots, especially when the light is poor. You will be amazed how quickly they become habituated to the shutter noise, and just ignore it. If you want to create a real feeding frenzy, kick the apples close together. The more competition between the Thrushes, the bolder they become.
Those thin foam mats with reflective foil either side like the stuff they use to stop car windscreens freezing underneath your camping or gym mat really reflect the eat back. As you've discovered you soon get neck ache. Use a cushion like you were. I roll onto my side as lying on your front for extended periods can also be uncomfortable, and rest your head on the pillow/cushion. If you get the position right, you just roll over when there is something to photograph.
All great advice Stephen. You really are the expert on this! I did find the birds got very used to the shutter for sure. Definitely cutting the apples next time!
Hi Paul once again a great little video and you always put a smile on my face which is a real tonic right now, just don't make me laugh because that really hurts at the moment. Great images as usual I have to say I've never seen a fieldfare so I will have to do some research to find out if they are resident in my neck of the woods. Until next time take care and stay safe my friend.
Hope you're doing ok Clive. Glad to bring a little light to your life..
Awesome work!
Great video, as always!
Very good Paul lovely to get the low angle some great shots ! I got lucky with Fieldfare on a local Rowan tree, a first for me on the 2nd January this year! Just edited my vlog for Sunday. A beautiful bird its been a great year for them apparently well done in your ground hide. I really felt for you down there despite your layers of comfort and protection it still looked really uncomfortable, but well worth it!
Cheers. I've never shot them feeding - would love that! Yes, uncomfortable.. but not too bad.
You know by the time lockdown ends I might have already bought the new 1DX R1... Haven't been out much lately with the camera unfortunately, losing my touch a little as I'm not really allowed to stray beyond my garden.
P.S, nice images. :)
I’m saddened that we haven’t had a single fieldfare this year, but on the other hand the berries have brightened up the garden longer. A couple of days ago we had a pair of carrion crows checking out a large mature willow nex to us. Hopefully they’ll return to nest. You never know, they might change the magpie/ songbird imbalance here.
Another excellent video, Paul. Glad to see you used a ground sheet this time. Burrr. I loved the photo you captured of the blackbird poking her head from behind the grass. For me it's more of a natural shot. Anyways, good job on the video.
Thanks Peter. That blackbird shot was a little different. I think there had been a sparrowhawk about as the bird would nip out then back in again!
@@PaulMiguelPhotography Can we expect a Sparrowhawk photo in the future? I hope you're well, mate
I know that Fieldfares are usually skittish, but I had one that let me get REALLY close. It was in an apple tree and there were some twigs that were spoiling the shot so I snapped them off and even though they were only a couple of inches from the Fieldfare it didn't bother and just sat there. I think that the desire for apples overcame the natural fear of humans. It's been back a few times so I don't think it has any injuries or illness that contributed to its lack of fear.
Sounds great Tom. I think every species can become accustomed to humans. And you'll always get the odd one that' a bit out of the ordinary. Fantastic stuff.!
fab stuff!!! great vlog that buddy, still trying to make my mind up on a tragopan hide, ive got loads of bivvi type set ups from teaching bushcraft for all those years but they do look good!! great shots and footage as always.... JP
All these hides are expensive. Certainly worth making something yourself if it's more of a permanent thing.
Hi Paul,
I am a wildlife photographer from India and have a decent collection of images. I wanted to ask how can I join you or work with you as a wildlife photographer?
I have not photographed fieldfares on bird feeders. I have photographed them summer (not professional)!
Stunning images of a stunning bird I really enjoyed watching this one I was thinking of getting one of those hides but cannot get a reply from their website
Get yourself a small tent ‘ and spray it with black and green paint ‘ then put some grass or bushes over it “ small money do the same job
It might also be worth contacting Espen Helland as he works closely with Tragopan.
@@PaulMiguelPhotography I’ve emailed them but no reply so their loss not mine I got a cheap Camo net off eBay I’ll rig something up with it but not use it in the wet