I don’t know about you but I have definitely felt over the last few weeks spring is definitely on the way. I heard my first chiffchaff just a couple of days ago, which is something I always look forward to every year. The characteristic call which is almost onomatopoeic “chiffchaff chiffchaff” brings me a great amount of joy and makes me think of all the photographic opportunities that comes with spring. With that in mind, I thought I would help you figure out what you would like to turn your camera to and perhaps give you some ideas to get you out and about this spring.
Nesting birds
It goes without saying that you need to be extremely careful when photographing nesting birds not to disturb them. Be sure to keep a respectful distance and use your longest telephoto lens to ensure you will not disturb any behaviour that may prevent these birds from successfully breeding. Be sure to research the species of the nest you have found, as many in the UK are protected and will need a schedule one license to approach the nest site. If you are unsure it is best to leave them alone and observe from a distance with binoculars.
With that said, discovering a nest is extremely exciting especially if you manage to find it early in the season, allowing you to document the lives of these birds. The adults constantly flying back and forth with food, chicks begging and maybe even some predation from other animals in the area.
Young animals
Once again this one needs to be handled with care and if you are not sure what you are doing it is probably best to choose another option on this list. If you do encounter a young animal that appears to be by itself, please just leave it where it is, the likelihood is that the parents know where it is and if moved it could prove catastrophic for the young animal and parent.
But, of course, spring wouldn’t be spring without seeing the young animals grow and develop as their parents teach them the skills they need to survive in this ever changing world. Once again it is best to use a long telephoto lens to avoid disturbing any natural behaviour.
Visit a seabird colony
One way to completely immerse yourself in the feeling of spring is to visit a seabird colony. These cities of birds are a wonder to behold, stimulating all of your senses as these birds battle for food, space and the weather. Many colonies such as Skomer Island and Bempton cliffs in the UK are relatively accessible and great options to get up close to birds that are used to human activity, allowing you to experiment with some creative techniques and push your camera to the limits.
Photograph the small things
Spring is not just about the birds and mammals, it is also a very important time for flora and invertebrates. This is a particularly good option if you don’t live in a rural area. Plant some flowers and photograph the pollinators as they fly in and out. Perhaps, even turn your lens on the flowers themselves and experiment with various angles and lighting. The benefit of photographic plant life is that it doesn’t move very much so you can have a play with angles, lenses and even artificial lighting.
Let your creative side flourish and often you’ll end up learning a lot more about your camera and what you find aesthetically pleasing than if you were photographing the larger species.
Hopefully that gives you some ideas about what to photograph for the upcoming spring season. It is such a wonderful time of year, but I can’t stress enough that you will need to be respectful of the wildlife and consider hiring a guide or a booking a workshop/ trip with someone who will allow you to learn how you need to behave with wildlife during the breeding season. Nevertheless, get out with your binoculars and camera and see what images you can capture this spring.
To see more of Ben’s work, visit his website: www.bensutcliffephoto.com – and keep up to date with Ben over on Instagram