Posted by Cliff Norton on December 22, 2009 at 3:12 AM
In Our village in Bulgaria we have a couple of pairs of Long Legged Buzzard and a pair of Imperial Eagles. Stalking is out of the question
you just do not get close enough because for years locals shot the birds. My Question is if anyone can help what bait to use to get the birds to come close enough to make good images.
Posted by bill meikle on December 22, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Dead animals tied to a post???
Posted by Richard Ditch on December 22, 2009 at 12:49 PM
Many of us do not approve of baiting raptors for photos. This has been discussed at length many times on this forum and others.
Posted by Ron Bielefeld on December 22, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Count me as one who does not approve of baiting. As an alternative, how about getting into camo clothes or setting up a blind in an area the birds like to use. Then, get there before light so they do not know you are there. Then get images of them doing what they do naturally.
Posted by Doug Gilham on December 22, 2009 at 2:07 PM
Gotta agree with Ron on this. I've gotten up way before sunrise to sit in a blind for hours just so I didn't bother the natural order of things. You'd be surprised at how in tune to what's going on around you that you become when sitting in silence for hours, and how many surprises ( as in other animals, birds) that you will get great shots of. Baiting is, IMO, the lazy way of obtaining images.
I'm sure if the locals liked shooting the birds, they tried baiting them too. I'm not sure how smart the birds are, but you get what i'm saying. I agree, you're pictures will be uninspired if you don't catch them in their natural action.
On a related topic, where do people get their blinds from? I've tried hunting websites, but it seems that all I could find were those that weighed more than my photo backpack. Any suggestions? thanks for the advice.
I am totally against baiting Raptors, and have gotten into many heated arguments with people who I have seen doing it. Baiting and playing bird calls from a tape recorder (especially during nesting season) are two things that irritate me. I won't bait as I do not feel that I am capturing the true nature of the bird, and I feel it puts the bird in danger because it may become dependent upon humans for food as well as it dropping it's guard around humans. If the bird wants to cooperate on it's own, which I had the pleasure of experiencing with an adult Red-tailed Hawk at Presqu'ile Provincial Park just last week, then I consider myself extremely lucky. Otherwise, if I have to go home empty handed, so be it.
Posted by Douglas Graham on December 29, 2009 at 9:11 AM
I spend so much time coming home with nothing when I do get something it feels really great. If I where to bait then I've cheated myself and endangered the bird this type of thing is not worth the safety of the bird. Do what Ron suggested and get a blind or build a blind.
Posted by Cliff Norton on December 30, 2009 at 4:11 AM
Thanks for all your replys I am new to nature photography i just ask a question That was all it was a question some replays i have had came arcoss I feel a little on the personal side I have been a newspaper photographer all my working career thats over 30 years, and have found out if you do not known just ask. Their is always someone out their to put you right, maybe i am old school. My Question was just a question I have read blogs and bits and pices about Bird Feeders used for songbirds so i ask the question about birds of prey. IS NOT USING A BIRD FEEDER FOR SONG BIRDS IS THAT NOT BAITING.
Also please if people have something to say to me on the matter use this page and not my personal EMAIL
AS for using a blind or a hide i have 3 placed around my village area which i use on a regular. I live in Bulgaria which as 400 differant birds visit during the year i care out birds and wildlife and spend some of my spare time with local children teaching them about their nature and what they have in their hands.
Bulgaria is not the same as some counties were you can just work up-to a few feet away birds. I DID ASK FOR TIPS and i have taken them on the chin and i am sorry if i have upset anyone . Cliff
Posted by David Taylor on December 31, 2009 at 10:46 AM
Cliff -
It was a good question. I don't think you personally offended or upset anyone. It's just a topic that some are extremely sensitive to. I agree with the comments, I don't bait or support baiting of birds.
I also agree that you would get more intimate images of real activity by utilizing your blinds and accessing them well before dawn.
I agree with you, using a bird feeder for song bird photography could be considered baiting as well. I think that this is generally more accepted because of its widespread use throughout the world for bird enjoyment. The difference is (I believe), that raptors being baited in changes their dependence on natural prey and over time their hunting skills could be altered or even weakened. It is akin to baiting bears, wolves, or other predators - it changes their association and perceptions of a food source, mainly that man can and will provide what they need.
Hope that you won't be dissuaded from continued participation on this forum, we have a lot to offer.
Discussion
9 repliesyou just do not get close enough because for years locals shot the birds. My Question is if anyone can help what bait to use to get the birds to come close enough to make good images.
On a related topic, where do people get their blinds from? I've tried hunting websites, but it seems that all I could find were those that weighed more than my photo backpack. Any suggestions? thanks for the advice.
Also please if people have something to say to me on the matter use this page and not my personal EMAIL
AS for using a blind or a hide i have 3 placed around my village area which i use on a regular. I live in Bulgaria which as 400 differant birds visit during the year i care out birds and wildlife and spend some of my spare time with local children teaching them about their nature and what they have in their hands.
Bulgaria is not the same as some counties were you can just work up-to a few feet away birds. I DID ASK FOR TIPS and i have taken them on the chin and i am sorry if i have upset anyone . Cliff
It was a good question. I don't think you personally offended or upset anyone. It's just a topic that some are extremely sensitive to. I agree with the comments, I don't bait or support baiting of birds.
I also agree that you would get more intimate images of real activity by utilizing your blinds and accessing them well before dawn.
I agree with you, using a bird feeder for song bird photography could be considered baiting as well. I think that this is generally more accepted because of its widespread use throughout the world for bird enjoyment. The difference is (I believe), that raptors being baited in changes their dependence on natural prey and over time their hunting skills could be altered or even weakened. It is akin to baiting bears, wolves, or other predators - it changes their association and perceptions of a food source, mainly that man can and will provide what they need.
Hope that you won't be dissuaded from continued participation on this forum, we have a lot to offer.