Low Down Bird Photography

Hi All,

Welcome to My Photographic Observations.

I have always wondered about people who get down low for bird photography.
I had never tried it before as I am always using a tripod and gimbal. The lens I use is a Sigma 150-600mm contemporary. It is heavy and I don't have the muscles in my arms to hold it steady lol.
I needed to get a ground plate where I could put my tripod ball head so I could keep it steady.
Ounce i got the ground plate I attached my ball head to the plate.

I went to Manning Park which is not too far from home. I saw some Cockatoos feeding on the ground and decided this was the spot.
The first photograph is of a Carnaby's Black Cockatoo eating on some pine seeds.

I was amazed at how good the perspective was as the background was blown out and the Cockatoo was big in the frame. The light was a bit harsh but this was more as an experiment than a perfect photograph. My only problem was that being so close to the ground was a bit hard on my neck and very uncomfortable. I tried using the live view with the monitor pulled out looking down instead of the viewfinder and it seemed a lot less stressful on my neck. I think next time will try my gimbal on the ground plate.
I moved to another spot in some shade and I saw a couple of Pink and Grey Galahs having a bit of a grooming session. With my camera and big lens I moved in closer to get a real good frame filling shot.

I was happy all round with this capture.
I will in future continue to use the ground plate and more than likely for shore birds at the beach or somewhere like Point Walter Sandbar.

Thankyou for taking the time to read. Any commentl leave below and always appreciated.

This outing was before the Covid-19 lockdown.

Vedran