Swallow nest

Derek.Laurence

Derek.Laurence

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Derek
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Hi guys,

I have a swallows nest in the top of my barn.

I can get up and have set my self up for a very nice shot when the chicks poke their head out for feeding etc

My problem is that I am between where mum and dad come in and the nest, hence they won't come in to feed the young Uns if I'm in and therefore the chicks won't poke their head out.

Is there any way I can coax then out without being obtrusive?

The position I need for the shot is too high/precarious for a tripod so I can't use my remote
 
Can you not just leave them be?
 
This would imply that I am pestering them which I am not and never would.

I am simply looking for a way to capture a pic when they look out. If the suggestion is that they will never pop their heads up without the parents feeding them then so be it.
 
I`m sorry if my reply suggested interference, can you take a shot of the barn, give people an idea of what you are up against?
 
Hi Derek

Did something similar a week or so back with house martins. Personally sit down and observe so a while before setting up. Clock how long they are between feeds and this will give you an average. Have your gear set up and focused on the nest however if the parents seam not to be approaching give up and leave as you may be causing them some stress.

What I did was set a burst of shots as the adult was approaching and the young may stick their heads out as the parent approach.

If you’re lucky you will get a adult frozen with the chick mouths wide open.

This is one I did. I liked it as one of the chicks was looked as if it was looking at me.

From my Facebook so low res

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Thanks sala

I've given up on the idea as it seems too much hassle and like you said I'm not wanting to start stressing the birds

I'm kicking myself too because I managed to set up the shot with the camera resting on some wood etc but because my remote trigger needs to be aimed at the front of the camera I can't fire the camera without Being up in the rafters, and hence I'm back to my disturbance problem.
 
would a long lens help?? say 150-500mm or do you not own a telephoto

Les :thumbs:
 
Perhaps you can prepare to shoot tethered with a long lead next year? Sounds like you have a great chance of some wonderful shots.
 
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I have a 70-300 lens les but it doesn't provide an advantage. It's a bit of a weird set up.
If you imagine that I have a barn that had a hay loft. I took the flooring out this year because it was rotten through from before we bought the house

The birds nest is right at the end of the barn, in a rafter at the apex of the roof. I can stand on the joists of the old floor but the entrance to the barn is at the opposite end from the nest so the parents need to fly past me regardless. I've considered setting up and chucking a sheet over my head to see if that's enough camo

I can't even really take a clear enough picture of it to explain the situation.

So yes.....always next year with a super long lead. Lol
 
You can get a wireless trigger of ebay for a few quid that works quite well and from behind as you can place the receiver behind the camera.



A large prime may help.

Worth giving it a go as you have a great chance of getting sone good shots.

If your localish and we can work it out I don't mind helping out with a lens for a few hours. Drop me a pm
 
I have the Sony wireless remote but the sensor for it is on the front of the camera

I'm up in Fife so not really local unfortunately.

Thanks for the offer though.
 
Derek.Laurence said:
I have the Sony wireless remote but the sensor for it is on the front of the camera

I'm up in Fife so not really local unfortunately.

Thanks for the offer though.
Click to expand...

you can get around that problem with a small mirror and some Tape :thumbs:

Les :D
 
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