Birding at a subtropical tidal estuary, last Sunday (1 Viewer)

[Noctua_Grace]

Last Sunday, I had my first birding experience with a local guide. We visited a nearby tidal estuary, hoping to spot some bird species that inhabit coastal areas.

All the photos here are credited to my birding guide, and I’ve already received her permission to post them here. As a birding beginner, I only own a pair of bins and prefer not to be distracted by taking photos.

When we first arrived, a huge flock of cormorants was flying together across the sea, numbering in the thousands (my rough guess). They seemed to be gathering to move to a specific spot to prey. One typical privilege of living in a subtropical region is the opportunity to observe birds that migrate from the north during winter. They usually stay here for the entire season. I learned that the cormorant is one of these migratory birds.
I’m curious why some species hunt in such coordinated, group-like ways. Is it more efficient? And why don’t all species do this?
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The highlight of this birding trip was definitely spotting a rare Black-faced Spoonbill. I was told there are only around 4,000 of them in the world, which makes it seem pretty rare. We joked that the Black-faced Spoonbill looked like a janitor sweeping the floor—such an amusing scene!

I would vote the Chinese Hwamei as the best of the day. This dedicated and tiny bird has feathers in a mix of light blue and deep navy, looked so elegant and exquisite.
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As a beginner, I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences with balancing photo-taking and birdwatching. It’s clear that I can’t do both well on my own, but I’m eager to have high-quality photos to relive this birding experience afterwards. Since I can’t have a guide with me all the time, I’d love some advice on how to capture great shots while still staying focused on the birds.

Thanks!

Grace

 

[delia todd]

Hi Grace - a great report of your day out.

I'll go straight to your photography question, as I'm a 'birder who takes photographs'; not a photographer.

When I go out, I like to get a record of my day, birds, animals, plants, scenery etc. But when I get to wherever, I like to sit and observe for the first wee while to absorb the atmosphere and get a feeling of what's around and what's going on. Then I'll get my camera out and try to get a picture of the species I can see, especially if there's something unusual or rare for the site; or unusual/interesting behaviour.

Too bad if they're not too well focused... I've got the record!

I only have a bridge camera, as I don't have the sort of brain that can remember what settings to use and often there wouldn't be time to adjust them anyway. On top of that I've not the funds to be able to spend thousands on different lenses, plus the weight of them.

Current camera is a Nikon Coolpix P900. Which has a Birdwatching Mode, that can take bursts of 7 frames, so there's generally a good image or two amongst them. I also have quick access to various other modes such as Landscape, Sunset. The only Manual setting I use is Aperture Priority if I want to get a macro, someone told me what settings to save on it.

You'll get many other ideas on from others. We all work differently. But I hope this is useful for you.

 

[Lisa W]

First off splendid photo of this bird.

As a beginner, I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences with balancing photo-taking and birdwatching. It’s clear that I can’t do both well on my own, but I’m eager to have high-quality photos to relive this birding experience afterwards. Since I can’t have a guide with me all the time, I’d love some advice on how to capture great shots while still staying focused on the birds.

I can’t. I will usually go out to a new place with just binoculars the first time. I’ll either leave the camera at home or (if safe) in the car. It has led to some missed photos but good views of new birds. I do both if I have been to a location prior or have someone with me.

 

[foresttwitcher]

I would vote the Chinese Hwamei as the best of the day. This dedicated and tiny bird has feathers in a mix of light blue and deep navy, looked so elegant and exquisite.
View attachment 1615425

Hi Grace,

Nice read and photographs.

You mentioned Chinese Hwamei and then linked a photograph - the bird in the link looks like a Red-billed Starling.

Keep on enjoying the birds.

 

[Noctua_Grace]

Hi Grace,

Nice read and photographs.

You mentioned Chinese Hwamei and then linked a photograph - the bird in the link looks like a Red-billed Starling.

Keep on enjoying the birds.

Thank you so much for the correction! happy to know!

 

[Noctua_Grace]

Hi Grace - a great report of your day out.

I'll go straight to your photography question, as I'm a 'birder who takes photographs'; not a photographer.

When I go out, I like to get a record of my day, birds, animals, plants, scenery etc. But when I get to wherever, I like to sit and observe for the first wee while to absorb the atmosphere and get a feeling of what's around and what's going on. Then I'll get my camera out and try to get a picture of the species I can see, especially if there's something unusual or rare for the site; or unusual/interesting behaviour.

Too bad if they're not too well focused... I've got the record!

I only have a bridge camera, as I don't have the sort of brain that can remember what settings to use and often there wouldn't be time to adjust them anyway. On top of that I've not the funds to be able to spend thousands on different lenses, plus the weight of them.

Current camera is a Nikon Coolpix P900. Which has a Birdwatching Mode, that can take bursts of 7 frames, so there's generally a good image or two amongst them. I also have quick access to various other modes such as Landscape, Sunset. The only Manual setting I use is Aperture Priority if I want to get a macro, someone told me what settings to save on it.

You'll get many other ideas on from others. We all work differently. But I hope this is useful for you.

That sounds like a very practical approach! I’m curious—do you usually start by observing with bins and then switch to your camera, or do you use your camera as a substitute for binoculars as well? It seems like the versatility of your bridge camera might allow for both.

 

[Noctua_Grace]

Thank you so much for sharing! I think I’ll follow a similar method at this stage. I prefer taking my time to observe first rather than rushing to capture photos. It feels more rewarding to focus on the experience before worrying about photography.

First off splendid photo of this bird.

I can’t. I will usually go out to a new place with just binoculars the first time. I’ll either leave the camera at home or (if safe) in the car. It has led to some missed photos but good views of new birds. I do both if I have been to a location prior or have someone with me.

 

[delia todd]

That sounds like a very practical approach! I’m curious—do you usually start by observing with bins and then switch to your camera, or do you use your camera as a substitute for binoculars as well? It seems like the versatility of your bridge camera might allow for both.

Generally I use my binoculars first (with the camera ready for emergencies). But if there's something distant that I can't work out, I'll use the excellent zoom to have a look. If I still can't be sure through the view finder I'll take a few pictures (I have it set for multishot anyway), then I can zoom in more on the screen.

I nearly always get the ID confirmed that way. Though sometimes only when I get home and can see it on the large computer screen.

 

[Patudo]

As a beginner, I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences with balancing photo-taking and birdwatching. It’s clear that I can’t do both well on my own, but I’m eager to have high-quality photos to relive this birding experience afterwards.

I think with time you will find your own path as to what balance suits you best. In almost all situations now I prefer the simplicity and unclutteredness (is that a word?) of bringing and using only binoculars - although I have to admit that if visiting somewhere the birds are new and photogenic, I'm more likely to bring a camera (but not a large/bulky setup - something the size of a Sony RX-10 is about as large as I'd want to carry). I have seen some very good photo opportunities lost for want of a camera, yet I've found that the pursuit of a good photo can greatly take away from the experience of just watching and enjoying the birds; and when all's said and done, I still prefer the single-mindedness, the purity you could say, of having just one objective: to find and observe birds. But that's where my individual journey has taken me.

Most folks would probably recommend becoming familiar with the birds and understanding your locations first, certainly before rushing out and buying expensive camera gear. In doing so you'll gain a better understanding of the environment you'll be operating in, the distances you'll be viewing over, etc. that will put into perspective how the extra weight and bulk of a camera might diminish your enjoyment, vs. how important capturing good images (which might not necessarily be only of birds - some landscapes, sunrises etc can be very memorable, and those you can capture very well with a modern smartphone) might be to you.

 

[Noctua_Grace]

I think with time you will find your own path as to what balance suits you best. In almost all situations now I prefer the simplicity and unclutteredness (is that a word?) of bringing and using only binoculars - although I have to admit that if visiting somewhere the birds are new and photogenic, I'm more likely to bring a camera (but not a large/bulky setup - something the size of a Sony RX-10 is about as large as I'd want to carry). I have seen some very good photo opportunities lost for want of a camera, yet I've found that the pursuit of a good photo can greatly take away from the experience of just watching and enjoying the birds; and when all's said and done, I still prefer the single-mindedness, the purity you could say, of having just one objective: to find and observe birds. But that's where my individual journey has taken me.

Most folks would probably recommend becoming familiar with the birds and understanding your locations first, certainly before rushing out and buying expensive camera gear. In doing so you'll gain a better understanding of the environment you'll be operating in, the distances you'll be viewing over, etc. that will put into perspective how the extra weight and bulk of a camera might diminish your enjoyment, vs. how important capturing good images (which might not necessarily be only of birds - some landscapes, sunrises etc can be very memorable, and those you can capture very well with a modern smartphone) might be to you.

Yeah, it's been about half a year since I first posted this, and I’ve definitely figured out my priorities since then. Right now, observing birds is way more important to me than taking pictures. When I go out for birding, I only take my phone and binoculars.

Honestly, I do think a big part of the joy in birding comes from actually spotting and identifying the birds in person. Before I head out, I usually do some research on the types of birds that might be in the area, and if I manage to spot and ID one, it’s always a great feeling. But, since I’m not taking photos (mainly because my phone’s zoom isn’t enough), the post-birding recap feels a bit lacking. I don’t have anything to refer back to, so it’s all about relying on my memory.

 

[THE_FERN]

Impossible to both bird and take (good) photos. In some habitats photos invaluable for id---dense forest. In most of Asia there aren't too many confusion species though (leaf warblers probably the exception)

 

[Noctua_Grace]

Impossible to both bird and take (good) photos. In some habitats photos invaluable for id---dense forest. In most of Asia there aren't too many confusion species though (leaf warblers probably the exception)

That's interesting! Why do you say that bird species in Asia aren't too difficult to confuse with each other? Is it due to the specific distribution of species in the region, or are there other factors at play?

 

[THE_FERN]

That's interesting! Why do you say that bird species in Asia aren't too difficult to confuse with each other? Is it due to the specific distribution of species in the region, or are there other factors at play?

Not so many similar, difficult to observe species as South America [ant—anything—antbirds, antwrens, antthrushes etc. also any furnariids]; in Africa you have cisticolas [open habitats] and some (green / bul) buls. Where you have species which are difficult to see in Asia, in most cases the identity isn't difficult because there aren't many options. Same for Australia.