Caution before we begin
Most of the time a hide is placed next to nest of a bird. However, you should always avoid disturbing your subject, even if this means you have to give up your dream and leave the birds alone. Disturbance could cause the birds to abandon the nest site or their newborn chicks. So better be prepared and always consult an expert before embarking this journey.
Why does one need a hide?
Most of the birds and animals are sensitive to the presence of human beings. Their natural sense of safety keeps them away from the human beings. There are many ways of tackling the problem:
a) Use long focal length lenses to keep distance. Most of the times this is not an option in a forest with thick foliage small areas of clearing. Also most of the birds are so small that it will be practically impossible to shoot them from a distance however telescopic the lens.
b) Use hide to get closer to the subject – A hide provides coverage to the photographer so that the bird is encouraged to come close to the photographer without feeling intimidated.
Where the hide should be built?
A hide is typically built near to the place frequented by the bird or animal you want to photograph. This provides an opportunity for the photographer to shoot many pictures thereby increasing the chances of shooting a good picture.
Before constructing the hide, one should also give consideration to position the hide in such a way that the photographer gets a good clean and possibly colorful background for the picture. It is also important to choose a location from which it should be possible to get a view of the bird and the chicks.
Here are some common locations suitable for building a hide:
a) Near a bird’s nest – When a bird is incubating its eggs and bringing up its chicks, it makes frequent return to the nest
b) Near water holes – Animals frequently visit water holes to clean themselves as well as to drink water. The chances of sighting animals are the highest near the water hole.
Steps for building a hide
A hide provides coverage to the photographer but allows camera lens to focus on the subject. Most of the times, one still needs to observe the behavior of the bird and places it chooses to perch before useful photographs can be taken.
The following are the raw materials required to build a hide.
1. Sticks/ Rods to construct frame (Can be a pre fabricated one or some jungle wood)
2. Camouflage cloth (Gunny/Jute bags will also do J )
3. Safety pins / clips
4. Your imagination J
5. Threads /Ropes
6. Broken twigs and leaves
7. finally do not forget the scissors used to cut the hide clothe as well as hole through the hide
8. optionally some clothe or other seating material on which the photographer sits while inside the hide
The method is not different from putting up a tent, only the scale is less. Use your imagination to build a sturdy frame with sticks / rods into a cubicle shape. Place the cloth over the frame and make sure you make a hole to pop up your lens and flash, while doing these use safety pins for stitching the cloth together. Secure your hide to the ground using ropes and stones. Since you may have to wait inside for a long time make sure that it is big enough for you to sit inside comfortably.
Placing a hide
Many birds will quickly “accept” the presence of a “Hide” and you will be able to begin shooting almost immediately, whereas other species will require time to accept the “Hide”.
One strategy is to set the “Hide” up in the area, and move it closer and closer [MS1] over a period of minutes/hours/days until it is at the desired shooting location. It is also a good idea to use a piece of pipe or tubing to simulate a lens poking out so your subject isn't startled by your camera lens when you really place it.
Try to place the “Hide” near natural cover such as bushes in order to blend in with the surroundings better/ or camouflage your hide with leaves/ branches. See the picture below:
This is “Hide” placed around bushes (Photograph: By Murali. S)
Leave some holes or meshed area in the hide so that the photographer can observe the surroundings and can observe when the bird approaches the perch/nest.
Getting in and out of the hide
Getting in and out of a “Hide” can be disruptive; therefore it is advantageous to plan on being in the “Hide” before your subject arrives. Alternatively, do not exit the “Hide” until there is a lull in activity. Some photographers like Satish advocate having a second person walk with you to the “Hide” and then leaving you behind, which gives the illusion that the intruder has left. The theory being that the birds can't count
Ethics
Know your bird: it is very important that photography of birds at the nest should be done only after you understand bird behavior. So, before approaching any nest site, study the adults and determine what their behavior is in an undisturbed condition. Keep a safe distance from the nest and use binoculars for close observation. This helps in getting to know things like their frequency of feeding, feed they bring, perches they sit on, sound they make when they approach the nest etc.
Know how/when/where to set up a hide: A hide should be used when there is a reasonable doubt that birds would continue their normal breeding behavior. Hides should not be erected at a nest site where the attention of the public or any predator is likely to be attracted. When placing a hide at a location with common public access, the hide should never be left unattended as this would focus too much attention on the nest and cause disturbances. But, repetitive removal of the hide could also lead to disturbance and might cause the birds to abandon their nest site. Therefore, I would suggest choosing nest sites at places where birds are very tolerant of human presence.
Every bird is an individual and their tolerance to a hide also varies. Use of a hide allows you to get close to animals but remember that there is a limit to how close you can get and that every single animal has his/her own tolerance zone ( gauging this only comes by experience! Satish will vouch for thisJ).
Get longest lens possible: Always use your longest lens; this helps you in maintaining your distance from the nest and to keep disturbance to a minimum.
Have Patience: A good nature photographer should have lots of patience. Hiding and waiting until birds come closer is much better for the birds, and it leads to better photographs of the bird’s natural behavior in an unthreatened state. Avoid movement in and out of the hide as much as possible, the bird might see you and feel threatened. Carry adequate food and water to accommodate long periods of wait.
Pre- compose: Pre-Compose the shot on the perch where the bird sits and always set up the lens at the eye level of the bird, this gives better POV.
Never change the habitat: Never change the surrounding habitat for the sake of lighting / background. Remember the bird has chosen to nest here because of the current habitat. Picture is not important than the security of the bird and its future generation.
Thanks a lot for reading this and please do let me know your thoughts on this compilation. – Goutham R
Super photos.
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