Photographic Hides

  • Thread starter Thread starter CT
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Hmmm..........don`t know, most of my stuff is on private or open land anyway,I always mention it to the landowner/farmer/gamekeeper etc out of decency.
 
Yv said:
However, something that isn't mentioned - what do you guys do about finding out if you can set a hide up in certain places? Woodlands, riverbanks, etc, is it local knowlegde, getting permission, or just plain walking right in and doing it anyway? :shrug:
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I'd just do it in most cases Yv to be honest. I did enquire with the staff at Sandwell Valley Reserve, and it seems they have no objection to hides being set up on the reserve.


And apart from 'sod off, I am not sat in this silly tent for nothing you know' what do you say to anyone that approaches your hide? :thinking:
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Well my experience of hides is limited to duck and pigeon shooting. Occasionally, you'd get the odd anti person with an axe to grind, but most people just left you well alone as it was obvious what you were doing, if indeed they even saw you.I can't see any problems really if you're just taking photos.

Just a word of caution - being out in the wilds on your own you can encounter some weirdos - something to be careful about, or at least mindful of.
 
fracster said:
To be honest a lot of my photography is from inside woodland looking out into clear land, come spring and foliage,I will probably use it less and less.You tend not too mind sitting on the floor and crawling around trees too much when it is warm.......
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That's really the appeal of a large sheet of Leafscreen cammo - just string it across a gap in a hedge, or acoss a couple of bushes and you're set up.
 
Exactly what I use got it from Deben direct cost me about £20, I already had a small spare Goretex bag and as I say I just attach it with large safety pins they are far easier than any other method I discoverd after 24 years in the Army:shrug::thumbs: as for screens I am not a lover, the chair hide looks good it's just once again the weight, with a 500 & 300 (which I know have again after "losing" my last one) a Gitzo G500 tripod spare batteries etc, I am already carrying in the region of 20 kilo's and as I have said many times I can carry this all day long but it seems extravagent to take a chairhide, after all I have my cardigan, pipe and slippers to fit in as well:):):thumbs:

CT said:
That's really the appeal of a large sheet of Leafscreen cammo - just string it across a gap in a hedge, or acoss a couple of bushes and you're set up.
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I was thinking of getting a hide but I went through my stuff in the basement back home in Cyprus and found a 2 person camping tent from my army days, of the igloo type if you know what I mean and it works wonders. It has openings on all sides and a mosquito net on the entrance in front that lets you look out but can't see inside from outside. It does take 5-6 minutes to set up but it's got plenty of room inside, it's rainproof and it's got a small opening on the top with a net to let the sun in or in Cyprus to let the heat out :p. And they are quite cheap to buy as well and there's plenty of room inside to move around and, if you want, to dose off for a few hours (I take my sleeping bag aswell). Last time i used it I was really happy with it, and really comfortable I must say. And the best part, they sell for less than £20.
 
I'm also a fan of using netting, it's so simple, light & airy, & I like the all round visibility.

I've also just sat in the shade with some green garden mesh over me,. & robins, tits & woodpeckers were happy to come within 6 feet of me, they seemed quite oblivious to the funny looking berk snapping away in the corner!
 
Thanks Gary. I have to say, having looked at one of these before, I worry how stable they are. Yes they are light but look a bit like a pop up light tent

Paul
 
GHILLIESUIT.JPG


£119
 
:lol: You'd just have to drive there and back wearing it - just for the buzz wouldn't you?
 
Jeez....with a bladder like mine, I'd have wet myself twice before I found the zip. :'(

Bob
 
LOL. I think you'd be liable to get chased around by a load of togs convinced they'd seen Bigfoot.
 
Many, many, many moons ago when I was in the TA. My mate had made his own Ghillie suit. He was in a trench cooking some food, got distracted and the next thing we saw was him sprinting to a river about 200m away with his legs on fire. He ended up with 20 or 30% burns, basically the full length of both his legs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghillie_suit
 
Well, after much ummin' and arrin' I just ordered this one.

CLICKY

I'l post some thoughts on it in due course. :)
 
Good choice CT, you won't be disappointed with this one.
 
CT said:
Well, after much ummin' and arrin' I just ordered this one.

CLICKY

I'l post some thoughts on it in due course. :)
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I'm impressed - it's got armrests with cup holders! :p

It's a very substantially made hide - the seats are roomy, substantial and comfortable, and it's dead easy to erect and to stash away in it's bag.

There's plenty of room for two people. Two people using tripods might be a squeeze, but certainly there's room for a monopod and a tripod, I'll have to see when I've used it in anger.

Looking promising so far..
 
Hi John

You might be able to answer the one question I have about the hides shown in this thread. They are all seem to be for shooting at eye level or above, anything sharply below that level you will have a downward looking image on the subject. Far from ideal.

Your image of the wader seems to have been shot at ground level. Are there opening in the hide you are using, allowing you to get down to ground level to shoot the low level animals?

Gerald
 
Hey CT, glad you like it, I am sure you will soon be putting it to great use. We need pics OK... :)

taxi said:
Hi John

You might be able to answer the one question I have about the hides shown in this thread. They are all seem to be for shooting at eye level or above, anything sharply below that level you will have a downward looking image on the subject. Far from ideal.

Your image of the wader seems to have been shot at ground level. Are there opening in the hide you are using, allowing you to get down to ground level to shoot the low level animals?

Gerald
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Hi Gerald, that shot was not taken at ground level, but I was actually sat on the ground for it. If you look at my pic in post #37 - taken from the inside of the hide - you can see a zip going down from the center opening to the floor. This can be used as a viewing hole too if required. It's not designed that way, as this zip is the main access zipper if you want to get in whilst the hide is assembled fully. I don't use this as I tend to sit in the hide, then pull the frame concertina down over my head with all the zippers remaining done up. However, there is enough room to sit on the ground in front of the double chair (yes... with cup holder :) ) and use this zipper to peer through.

That's how I got so low with that Common Sandpiper shot. I wasn't quite at ground level, more 1'-2' up from floor.

Hope that helps Gerald.
 
theMusicMan said:
Hey CT, glad you like it, I am sure you will soon be putting it to great use. We need pics OK... :)


Hi Gerald, that shot was not taken at ground level, but I was actually sat on the ground for it. If you look at my pic in post #37 - taken from the inside of the hide - you can see a zip going down from the center opening to the floor. This can be used as a viewing hole too if required. It's not designed that way, as this zip is the main access zipper if you want to get in whilst the hide is assembled fully. I don't use this as I tend to sit in the hide, then pull the frame concertina down over my head with all the zippers remaining done up. However, there is enough room to sit on the ground in front of the double chair (yes... with cup holder :) ) and use this zipper to peer through.

That's how I got so low with that Common Sandpiper shot. I wasn't quite at ground level, more 1'-2' up from floor.

Hope that helps Gerald.
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Thanks for your reply John.

I had a feeling the answer would be simple. I was expecting you to say, you laid on the ground and lifted the base of the hide a little to get the lens out. :lol::lol::lol:

Gerald
 
taxi said:
Thanks for your reply John.

I had a feeling the answer would be simple. I was expecting you to say, you laid on the ground and lifted the base of the hide a little to get the lens out. :lol::lol::lol:

Gerald
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I will say - it was uncomfortable sat on the ground at that place, pebbley and slightly damp...!! Great running water birding though :)
 
theMusicMan said:
I will say - it was uncomfortable sat on the ground at that place, pebbley and slightly damp...!! Great running water birding though :)
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I guessing that there is no base to these hides. For getting low, and provided I don't have to walk to far, as it more kit to carry, then a camping ground mat, the ones you put under your sleeping bag, might be a good idea. It'll give you a little bit of padding and projection from the cold and wet.

Don't know how much use it would be on pebbles though.

If you don't mind me asking where was the photo taken?
 
taxi said:
I guessing that there is no base to these hides. For getting low, and provided I don't have to walk to far, as it more kit to carry, then a camping ground mat, the ones you put under your sleeping bag, might be a good idea. It'll give you a little bit of padding and projection from the cold and wet.

Don't know how much use it would be on pebbles though.

If you don't mind me asking where was the photo taken?
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The photo was taken at a spot I visit regularly, called The Bryn. It's a lovely river spot for setting up the hide and getting all manner of species. I have many shots of the Sand Martins that nest in the river bank right behind where I set up. There's Woodies, Waggies, Kingfishers and all manner of waders including Little Ringed Plover. Great place... and it's here:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=51.782537,-2.961019&spn=0.003412,0.009656&t=h&z=17

... right in the center of that google image.

Hope that helps.
 
I'm gald you put the map up as there are too many places in Wales called The Bryn :lol: :lol:

I didn't even know there where Sand Martin in South Wales, and with the other birds, thats an excellent location. Next time I down in Wales, I might wonder over for a look

Gerald
 
taxi said:
I'm gald you put the map up as there are too many places in Wales called The Bryn :lol: :lol:

I didn't even know there where Sand Martin in South Wales, and with the other birds, thats an excellent location. Next time I down in Wales, I might wonder over for a look

Gerald
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I'd be more than happy to be a guide for a few hours if you want company... could even bring the hide with me ;)

Just shout or PM if you want, no probs - I'd be glad to show you that gorgeous place (and a few others close by).

Here's one of the Sand Martin shots...

p658245038-4.jpg
 
theMusicMan said:
I'd be more than happy to be a guide for a few hours if you want company... could even bring the hide with me ;)

Just shout or PM if you want, no probs - I'd be glad to show you that gorgeous place (and a few others close by).
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Thanks for you kind offer. Next time I'm down I'll drop you a PM to arrange something :)
 
Gorgeous image John
 
taxi said:
Hi John

You might be able to answer the one question I have about the hides shown in this thread. They are all seem to be for shooting at eye level or above, anything sharply below that level you will have a downward looking image on the subject. Far from ideal.
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I thought exactly that when I looked at the web images, but I've just been doing some set up testing with the tripod, and I don't think it's really a problem. That 'bow' in front of you is only about 2 feet high. The only thing stopping you shooting downwards I can see is that you're sat rather far back in the seat. If you sit right forward on the edge of the seat frame you can shoot downwards at a very acute angle, certainly for subjects no more than about 6 feet away which is too close to focus with the 500mm anyway.

The only problem I see so far is that rather large front opening which gives a wide angle of visibility, but leaves you a bit exposed to view, so I'm going to get a big sheet of leafscreen cammo or similar, to just throw over the opening.

I'm, satisfied now that two shooters could shoot in comfort from tripods, so I'm pretty chuffed with it. :thumbs:
 
CT said:
I thought exactly that when I looked at the web images, but I've just been doing some set up testing with the tripod, and I don't think it's really a problem. That 'bow' in front of you is only about 2 feet high. The only thing stopping you shooting downwards I can see is that you're sat rather far back in the seat. If you sit right forward on the edge of the seat frame you can shoot downwards at a very acute angle, certainly for subjects no more than about 6 feet away which is too close to focus with the 500mm anyway.

The only problem I see so far is that rather large front opening which gives a wide angle of visibility, but leaves you a bit exposed to view, so I'm going to get a big sheet of leafscreen cammo or similar, to just throw over the opening.

I'm, satisfied now that two shooters could shoot in comfort from tripods, so I'm pretty chuffed with it. :thumbs:
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Thanks for the information CT.

I've gone and ordered one:bonk::bonk:, lets hope I can make good use out it, hopefully I'll get it delivered before the end of the week.

Gerald
 
If it's the same place you've ordered from they'll post it tomorrow for next day recorded delivery.
 
CT, I sling some scrim over the sigma if I use that in the hide,Saying that, mine is only the single man version,but it seems to work ok.

Plus if I get bored and feeling cramped I can take the tripod/camera out,have a little wander and a stretch, and use the camo scrim slung over it or hung off some tree branches.
 
CT said:
If it's the same place you've ordered from they'll post it tomorrow for next day recorded delivery.
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Same place. Lets hope they can get it this far north that quickly. :D:D
 
Just to add, I take a small piece of high density to foam to put on the seat if its really cold, them seats don`t keep your butt warm.........:D
 
Totally OT... but...

Just had a great weekend in Center Parcs, Lake District - and right outside our window (and all in about 30mins one morning!) we had...

Coal, Blue, Great & LTTs; Tree Creeper; GS Woody; Pheasant, RL Partridges amongst all the usual stuff

Now while this lot came close indeed, within 10-20ft all of them, what really surprised me was how fast the buggers moved :eek: even the Pheasant didn't actually stay still for more than a second, and the Tits... OMG are they on Speed or what :eek::eek::eek:

So this OT is just to say...

RESPECT - to all you snappers for the great tweetie shots we see on here

:clap:

DD
 
fracster said:
Just to add, I take a small piece of high density to foam to put on the seat if its really cold, them seats don`t keep your butt warm.........:D
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Wimp! :D
 
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