During a recent visit to my family’s home on Cape Cod for Father’s Day, my mother pointed out a pair of birds diligently tending to their nest in a birdhouse near our driveway. Nestled between Old Silver Beach and Wild Harbor, North Falmouth, MA is a haven for bird enthusiasts. From Herons and Egrets wading in the shallow waters to the majestic Ospreys guarding their nests, the area is teeming with avian life. Notably, one Osprey nest stands tall on a telephone pole, offering a clear view from my parents’ second-floor porch.
I’ve always been hesitant to photograph birds for a few reasons:
- My inability to stay still.
- Birds often fly away just as I’m ready to snap a picture.
- Waiting for the perfect shot requires a patience I often lack.
However, this particular birdhouse presented a unique opportunity. The frequent visits by the adult birds to feed their chicks, the nest’s accessible height, and the unobstructed view made for ideal shooting conditions, even for someone like me who’s relatively new to bird photography.
Initially, using my 200 2.8 lens and 1D camera, I positioned myself behind my truck and managed to capture a few shots. But I wasn’t entirely satisfied with the results.
Moving closer to the nest proved challenging as the adult birds became wary, often perching on nearby utility wires and calling out to their young. [Click here to hear their calls.]
Curiosity led me to approach the nest, and by waving my fingers near the birdhouse opening, the chicks responded, thinking it was feeding time. While this was intriguing, my ultimate goal was to capture both the adult birds and their chicks in a single frame.
The Game-Changer:
Enter the onOne DSLR Camera Remote for my iPad. By tethering my Canon to my laptop and placing it near the tripod, I could remotely trigger the shutter using the app’s LiveView function. This allowed me to wait for the perfect moment without disturbing the birds.
The Outcome:
The result was a series of captivating shots, offering a unique perspective of the birds in their natural habitat. It’s amazing how a bit of technology, costing under $25, can transform the photography experience.
