I am now focusing on photographing birds in flight. Unfortunately, the weather hasn’t been in favor of my project, as thick clouds covered the sun on many days. To perfectly freeze the flight of birds, very short shutter speeds are required. The tips of the wings only become sharp at 1/8000-second exposure times. These very short exposure times require a lot of light, which hasn’t always been available. Additionally, the energy needs of the birds are lower during milder winter days, and they do not visit the feeding stations regularly. On the other hand, mild weather allowed for 8-10 hour long shooting days. In normal February temperatures, it would have been impossible to stay outside for such long periods. The photography tent protects from the wind, and it is a couple of degrees warmer inside than outside. Thick winter clothing is essential, as are properly insulated winter boots. Hand warmers based on oxidation are a good addition during long shooting sessions.

The birds visiting the feeding stations are not afraid of the photography tent, as long as the photographer remains as quiet as possible and the tent is stationary. Fortunately, modern cameras are silent, so the birds only notice the aperture narrowing and perhaps the movement of the shutter. The lens should be aimed at the bird as slowly and calmly as possible to ensure that the bird approaching the feeding station is not startled by erratic movements. Winter is a harsh time for birds, and photographing them should not interfere with their feeding. When the birds do not see the photographer, they can visit the feeding stations relaxed and without additional stress.

This winter, at least nine different White-backed Woodpeckers, eleven Gray-headed Woodpeckers, at least twelve Great-spotted Woodpeckers, and one Lesser-spotted Woodpecker have visited my feeding stations. Some hundreds of tits, small groups of Long-tailed Tits, Blackbirds, Jays and Magpies overwinter using these feeders. The numbers of seed-eating birds have been unusually low. There are only small flocks of Yellowhammers, Bullfinches and Tree Sparrows.

H. A.

Bird-photography must be made so that birds are not disturbed. They get used to camera-sounds quite easily but all movements must be avoided. My Tragopan-hide is green so I had to make a white cover to make it usable in winter too. I also made a small stool that can be used inside the hide.

On the forest-feeder I had also Long-tailed Tits visiting which was very nice. Three different flocks were seen there so it was easy to get pictures of them. Also a Treecreeper was visiting our feeders for the first time.

Several pairs of Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a couple of Grey-headed and White-backed Woodpeckers were there too. While chasing each other and drumming, they also visited the feeder quite often.

Bright late winter days were good for practising passerine flight-pictures. Wings of tits weren’t completely stopped with 1/8000 shutterspeed!

H.A.

Here you can see collection of the images taken from my hide.

H.A.

The hide is 250cm wide and long. An opening in the front is 180cm x 70cm. Photographing is possible through a mirror surface glass (same that Bence Mate uses in his hides) or through openings in a fabric screen. The windows are 80 x 60cm. Birds won’t fly to the windows, because I have placed a strip of fence net hanging over the upper part of the window. From bird´s perspective mirrored image of the net is visible in the window. Photographer can easily see through the net what birds are approaching.

This hide is made for 2-3 photographers. Cameras should be held on tripods. A tilting front wall gives lots of space for photographer´s and tripod´s legs. Bag wall has a bed that can be also used as space for necessary photographing gear.

So far fogging or freezing of the windows has not been a problem. This hide has a high ceiling so moisture from breathing will rice up. Vents up in the wall take humid air out. This hide has not heating and wearing lots of clothing and provided blankets is necessary. Even if the hide is high, it will shadow photographing area only during couple of midwinter months. Hide´s indoor walls still need painting and furnishing.

During winter months I will keep a bird feeding station around the hide. Next summer there will built a shallow 2 x 2,5m pond where birds can drink and bath. Taking care of pond and feeding station hygiene is of course important. I will bring nice branches and trunks where birds can sit on. I will also make nest boxes and plant fruit bearing bushes to surrounding area.

Here are some test images taken from the new hide.

H.A.

On the mudflat and shallow ponds were 6 Broad-billed sandpipers, 4 Dunlins, 4 Ringed Plovers, Red-necked Phalarope and few Ruffs, Greenshanks and Wood Sandpipers.
Sun was shining from blue sky. It made light conditions very tricky. Thin layer of clouds would have been great.

H.A.

In the morning situation changed and waders came closer and closer, sometimes even too close. Largest wader flocks were in the meadow south of the bird tower, but some of the birds visited also in my smaller meadow. Ducks and Goose were very vary and never came close.

7.5. During Ross´s gull twitch there was beautiful halo display around the sun.
9.5. Planet Mercury crossed the disk of the sun. Unfortunately I don’t have good digiscoping camera. I managed to get these shots trough by birding scope. Planet Mercury is left and down from large sunspot. Klick twice to see larger image.

It was possible to observe sun also with simple devices that used principles of camera obscura.

Light that went through fingers also formed images of crescent shaped sun.

H.A.

H.A.

Our goal is to see these new interesting species. So far we have often been away or done less birding during best butterfly time and that’s why we haven’t seen most of them.

We decided to make butterfly trip to the best butterfly area in Finland; Joutseno. On the way we saw Pine Marten jumping over the road. When we arrived to best butterfly locations, we found out that we were again a bit late. Lesser Purple Emperors were all worn already. Fortunately autumn season butterflies were all fresh.

Butterfly trip to eastern border of Parikkala next day, did not produce new lifers, but one more Lesser Purple Emperor was seen.

Here is collection of pictures taken. Click image to see it larger

This Board-bodied Chaser was seen in Patsaspuisto art garden where we were searching for more butterflies.

H.A.