I thought that using a car as a blind would be an intuitive type of thing. You drive slowly, and then use the window as "mount" for your lens and shoot out the window. And shut off the engine to minimize vibration, if possible. Thanks to Luke's awesome advise I visited the EPCAL grasslands the last time I was home in NY but I am used to hiking in and using a tripod so I had a lot of issues. So excuse the stupidity or ignorance of the questions but I'm hoping to get back there with some better results next time. I tried driving really slowly, 5-8mph but even at that it seemed I was spooking the birds, so I wasn't sure at that point what to do - just wait to see if they returned to that area or follow them? I didn't really think following them was a good idea since I didn't want to stress them out more but they stayed away even when I was just sitting there. When I was able to find a subject that sat still long enough I found a lot of my shots were blurry, even with cutting the car engine. Should I have used something other than a towel on the window frame? For gear I should say I was using a canon 500mm f/4 with the IS on and a Canon 7D with the focus point as the center spot (the 7D is new to me and I'll admit to a bit of a learning curve with it over my older camera) I had a 1.4 tele I didn't use much. I was shooting at ISO 400 4/5.6 in aperture priority mode.
Thanks so much for any advice.
Posted by Luke Ormand on March 25, 2011 at 2:01 PM
Hali,
Glad you had a good time and liked my advice! It's really a great place - even if you're just observing wildlife.
I always have a really "moldable" pillow in my car that I rest on the window sill and put my lens on which offers me lots of stability. I've used towels or sweatshirts in the past but they don't offer the same solid support. A beanbag of course would be the best option.
As for approaching the birds - it all depends on where you are and the birds frame of mind. Using a car as a blind works unbelievably well on Dune Rd. where the birds are used to traffic and are often actively feeding (i.e. distracted) right next to the road. Also, there from the bird's perspective there is usually a lot of grass or vegetation between them and you which makes them either less wary - or less able to see how big of a threat you are.
With EPCAL, it's mostly just grass so the bird is able to see you coming a mile away (literally) and can see how big your vehicle is since it's not obstructed by anything. Additionally, while there is some traffic there on a daily basis it's still a rare event for many of these birds - I doubt they see more than 5 cars/day.
I've found that to be successful there you have to have patience and hope you find a willing participant. Kestrels are notoriusly skittish - but out of the 10 or so I'll see there on a given day, perhaps 1 will let me get close. Eastern Meadowlarks never get close - and bluebirds don't mind so long as they're distracted by food or mates. Next time try getting out of the car and see how quickly the birds fly away! You'll realize that your car certainly gives you an advantage there.
I use a hybrid car and it seems perfect for this activity. Under 10 mph the car runs on electricity, so absolutely silent. When you stop, the car automatically turns off, so no vibration. Also, a beanbag is a better mount to use IMO. There are a number of different models available.http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=beanbag&N=0&InitialSearch=yes
Hello Hali,
I was interested in your question concerning using your car as a blind and shooting thru an open window. This is the technique that I use for at least half of my wild bird shooting as I live close to a National Wildlife Refuge that features a 4.25 auto tour route. I also volunteered on the refuge for several years so I've seen enough to recognize both the advantages and limitations of using a car as a blind.
By far the greatest advantage is to drive an area or refuge with a similar auto tour feature, I found the feathered population eventually gets used to and accepts regular vehicle traffic as normal. That is, if vehicles are driven slowly as you mention and by using patience and common sense in turning off your engine when within shooting range (which also reduces camera vibration.) Rules at the Ridgefield Nat'l Wildlife Refuge in SW Washington, require that occupants remain inside their vehicle at all times from Sep 30th to May 1, which leaves any wildlife even close to the tour route relatively undisturbed during the migration rest stops and for those spending the winter. From May 1 thru Sep refuge visitors are permitted to exit their vehicles to walk along the tour roadway and setup tripods but must not venture off road into "wildlife territory." Their is a 1.5 mile circle loop hiking trail for use during the summer months as well.
I have been a visitor of this refuge for over 30 years and when they first built and opened the one-way auto tour route I felt restricted in my ability to photography the birds. However I did learn that both the year round birds as well as those passing thru do accept vehicular traffic and to a degree seem to become accustomed to it when it is slow and quiet (leave the loud diesel engine truck at home.) It is not uncommon to quietly roll up to many species and get very respectable shots thru an open window, see the Red-tailed Hawk I came across just yesterday at the refuge. He was sitting on a log just off the ground and only 2 feet off the roadside, he ignored me and my canon 7D and 600mm lens (too close, when I saw him,) as he was preoccupied with prey or something under the log he was on.
I noticed in the summer months when visitors can leave their cars, the wildlife is fine UNTIL THE CLICK and first opening of a car door...... that's when feathers ruffle up and they leave. The point is they are somewhat used to the traffic but remain cautious of people leaving the cars and entering their territory.
Their are several nice window mounts and padded lens rest for use on your cars window. I picked up a couple of empty throw pillows and filled them with styrofoam bead pellets, using that as a rest along with the electric windows to elevate/angle the big lens.
You may also find that parking in an area frequented by the targeted specie and applying lots of patience will often payoff in some really nice images.
Hope this helps, "Happy Shooting!" Craig
Posted by Richard Ditch on March 25, 2011 at 4:18 PM
I too shoot from inside the car (a Toyota RAV4) as often as I can. Bosque del Apache NWR in New Mexico is good for this, as are many low use dirt roads I find at times in AZ. I use a monopod to support my D200 with 300/2.8 and 2x - it fits well between the driver door and seat. I have a tiny Bogen head on it designed for monopods (it tilts in only one plane with a single lock knob) and a Really Right Stuff clamp in top for the RRS shoe on the 300/2.8.
Not every bird will stay put while you approach, and there's always a gamble when you get within close range about when to stop creeping forward.
Thank you everyone! I am going to look at the different beanbags and give that a try at my next visit down there!
Posted by Kent Staubus on March 26, 2011 at 10:31 AM
I sometimes photo eagles around here from my RAV4 window. I approach with my lens already out of the window. I also have a piece of black cloth covering the window (from the inside) and stretched tight (so it won't flap in the wind) to conceal me. This generally works pretty well. As a duck hunter I've learned that if a critter can't recognize your outline, or see your movements, they generally don't spook.
Discussion
6 repliesThanks so much for any advice.
Glad you had a good time and liked my advice! It's really a great place - even if you're just observing wildlife.
I always have a really "moldable" pillow in my car that I rest on the window sill and put my lens on which offers me lots of stability. I've used towels or sweatshirts in the past but they don't offer the same solid support. A beanbag of course would be the best option.
As for approaching the birds - it all depends on where you are and the birds frame of mind. Using a car as a blind works unbelievably well on Dune Rd. where the birds are used to traffic and are often actively feeding (i.e. distracted) right next to the road. Also, there from the bird's perspective there is usually a lot of grass or vegetation between them and you which makes them either less wary - or less able to see how big of a threat you are.
With EPCAL, it's mostly just grass so the bird is able to see you coming a mile away (literally) and can see how big your vehicle is since it's not obstructed by anything. Additionally, while there is some traffic there on a daily basis it's still a rare event for many of these birds - I doubt they see more than 5 cars/day.
I've found that to be successful there you have to have patience and hope you find a willing participant. Kestrels are notoriusly skittish - but out of the 10 or so I'll see there on a given day, perhaps 1 will let me get close. Eastern Meadowlarks never get close - and bluebirds don't mind so long as they're distracted by food or mates. Next time try getting out of the car and see how quickly the birds fly away! You'll realize that your car certainly gives you an advantage there.
I was interested in your question concerning using your car as a blind and shooting thru an open window. This is the technique that I use for at least half of my wild bird shooting as I live close to a National Wildlife Refuge that features a 4.25 auto tour route. I also volunteered on the refuge for several years so I've seen enough to recognize both the advantages and limitations of using a car as a blind.
By far the greatest advantage is to drive an area or refuge with a similar auto tour feature, I found the feathered population eventually gets used to and accepts regular vehicle traffic as normal. That is, if vehicles are driven slowly as you mention and by using patience and common sense in turning off your engine when within shooting range (which also reduces camera vibration.) Rules at the Ridgefield Nat'l Wildlife Refuge in SW Washington, require that occupants remain inside their vehicle at all times from Sep 30th to May 1, which leaves any wildlife even close to the tour route relatively undisturbed during the migration rest stops and for those spending the winter. From May 1 thru Sep refuge visitors are permitted to exit their vehicles to walk along the tour roadway and setup tripods but must not venture off road into "wildlife territory." Their is a 1.5 mile circle loop hiking trail for use during the summer months as well.
I have been a visitor of this refuge for over 30 years and when they first built and opened the one-way auto tour route I felt restricted in my ability to photography the birds. However I did learn that both the year round birds as well as those passing thru do accept vehicular traffic and to a degree seem to become accustomed to it when it is slow and quiet (leave the loud diesel engine truck at home.) It is not uncommon to quietly roll up to many species and get very respectable shots thru an open window, see the Red-tailed Hawk I came across just yesterday at the refuge. He was sitting on a log just off the ground and only 2 feet off the roadside, he ignored me and my canon 7D and 600mm lens (too close, when I saw him,) as he was preoccupied with prey or something under the log he was on.
I noticed in the summer months when visitors can leave their cars, the wildlife is fine UNTIL THE CLICK and first opening of a car door...... that's when feathers ruffle up and they leave. The point is they are somewhat used to the traffic but remain cautious of people leaving the cars and entering their territory.
Their are several nice window mounts and padded lens rest for use on your cars window. I picked up a couple of empty throw pillows and filled them with styrofoam bead pellets, using that as a rest along with the electric windows to elevate/angle the big lens.
You may also find that parking in an area frequented by the targeted specie and applying lots of patience will often payoff in some really nice images.
Hope this helps, "Happy Shooting!" Craig
Not every bird will stay put while you approach, and there's always a gamble when you get within close range about when to stop creeping forward.
Kent in SD