Frustration..and i'm not talkin about the game

[ron1863]

Been there and done that.

What photography definitely teaches you is patience. I've learned to just enjoy being out and about and enjoying the countryside. Any decent shot is a bonus, especially if I have waited for any length of time.

If I had a pound for every missed shot I would be employing Andy Rouse.

[Fourwings]

Welcome to the wonderful world of wildlife photography, there's a very good reason why quite a few of us have very little hair left, and something tells me you have just experienced your first taste of it!!!

Stick with it, it does get easier, honest

[LindaB]

[quote=zan;207702]
and autofocus to AI Servo. [quote]

Hi

Just a small tech point so that the original poster doesnt get confused, the Canon 300D does not have A1 Servo in Av mode unfortunately which does make birds in flight shots a little more difficult. It will only do A1 Servo in the Sports Mode, so for practice, they could try that mode and see how it comes out - some have had great success using that mode.

For that model (300D) I would recommend Av mode, keep following the subject and quickly do a couple of half pressing of the shutter to obtain focus
and take the shots.

Gulls are great to practice on - so if everything else disappears, find some gulls .

[forevergreen]

Unlucky with your ghost bird. i tend to take my camera and basic equiptment with me every time i go for a walk then if a particular critter ive been hunting appears im ready to get em.

Keep trying anyway its happened to me loads of times.

[BillyPilgrim]

I'm new to this and have had similar frustrations. I've been to the same place loads of times and whilst there are plenty of bird species there they are usually high in the trees or skulking around in thickly-wooded areas where there is little light.

I tried tempting them out to the good light at the edge of the woods but to no avail. I left nuts and fat balls there which went untouched for weeks

Got plenty of grey squirrel shots though!

[nightshade]

Reconnicense,first see what is in an area (always carry a camera)
Prepare, ask around look up local records
Seed the area so birds will look for food there
Take photos

Just like the others have said

[big bill]

Been there done it and wore the T shirt nothing more frustrating but perserverance does pay off in the end and listen to the advise given above and you will not go wrong.
I always carry some food with me now to bait the area and it does work you just have to be patient

[rs250man]

Thanks everyone that has boosted my moral. Afew days after i went back to the area which i first saw the bird, decided to wear camouflage gear, again and off i went only to be yelled at by a farmer and his son 'OI!!', who then came marching over to me in a very distaste full way.

I apologised if i had done anything wrong but i dont respond to OI!! and assured him that i wasn't taking photos of his house or his vehicles and that i was after a big bird possibly a Buzzard.

After looking at my pictures, he also apologised and informed me that he had been burgled a number of times and was now worried about anyone straying off the path. He then informed me that there were 3 Buzzards in the area and pointed out an old tree which they regularly could be seen in...but it was off the path...oh i said....looking dissapointed.....he then turned around and walked off...has anyone else experienced this kind of thing.....love to know..

daz

[Blackbrook Eye]

A good thing to remember is, that for every wildlife photographer out in the countryside there is an abundance of rogues, not all burglars but also poachers, badger and fox diggers not to mention those who just can't seem to have fun without wrecking something and so called 'kids' with air guns popping away at anything that moves, no wonder land owners are concerned about strangers on their property. The best thing all round is to find out who's land you intend to go on and ask their permission first, take a few of your better photos with you to show them and you will be surprised by the reception you get in most instances, also, they are around the land regularly and will often tell you where the good spots are. When you do get your pictures it is a nice gesture to present the landowner with a few small prints, word soon gets around and you may be invited to surrounding areas by others who have land. Most farmers realise that to have someone about their land taking photographs is a deterant to those who would be up to no good so it isn't all one way.

[chkm8]

Originally Posted by rs250man

Thanks everyone that has boosted my moral. Afew days after i went back to the area which i first saw the bird, decided to wear camouflage gear, again and off i went only to be yelled at by a farmer and his son 'OI!!', who then came marching over to me in a very distaste full way.

..has anyone else experienced this kind of thing.....love to know..

daz

I live in the countryside and find farmers to be a strange bunch at times. I know of one who banned guys from his land that had been crossing it for years to reach a hide during the duck shooting season. Reason for ban wait for it, They didn't bring him a bottle of spirits at christmas for allowing them access to his land.
Generally though once they know you and know you are responsible ie: no damage to property, keep off the crops, close the gates and those fields of long grass you are tramping underfoot is what they will later cut for silage so stay off and walk around the edges of the fields and you usually don't have any problems. An introduction to the farmer and asking permission to access his land also goes a long way.

John.