I Failed at Bird Photography

Published 2023-09-24
I recently visited a new woodland location for two purposes: bird photography and scouting for possible autumn landscape scenes. I succeeded at one of those missions. Come along and share the ... um ... experience.


My kit:

Canon R5: amzn.to/3EAZWRy
Canon R6: amzn.to/3xQPa5H
Canon RF 16mm F/2.8: amzn.to/3xQPa5H
Canon RF 14-35 F/4L: amzn.to/3Sr61p8
Canon RF 24-105mm F/4L: amzn.to/3SpqURP
Canon RF 35mm F/1.8: amzn.to/3m81RX9
Canon RF 100mm F/2.8L Macro: amzn.to/3knTpmc
Canon RF 100-500mm F/4.5-7.1L: amzn.to/3Z10h8j
FLM CP30-L4 II tripod
RRS BH-40 ball head: amzn.to/3YVk88K
Induro CLT203 tripod: amzn.to/3IRAQAl
Manfrotto XPRO ball head
NiSi V5 filter holder & circular polarizer
NiSi 100mm 3-stop, 6-stop, and 10-stop ND filters
Lee 100mm 15-stop ND filter
Lee 100mm x 150mm 3-stop medium grad ND filter
GoPro Hero8: amzn.to/3XXpHlW
GoPro Media Mod
Rode VideoMicro shotgun mic: amzn.to/3lSL6PF
Rode Wireless Go II mic & receiver: amzn.to/3IwWnN8
Rode Lavalier Go mic: amzn.to/3YXDdaw



Some of the links shown above are Amazon Affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase from Amazon using an affiliate link, I get a small commission at no additional cost to you. I will use any such income to help grow the channel. Thanks!


Editing software:

DaVinci Resolve Studio 18 (www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve/)
Camtasia: www.techsmith.com/video-editor.html
Music: Epidemic Sound (www.epidemicsound.com/​); YouTube Studio


Other Social Media:

Instagram: Instagram.com/johndrummondphoto
X: X.com/PhotoDrummond
Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/97226469@N07/
Website: jdrummondphoto.com/

All Comments (12)
  • I almost didn't upload this video. But I'm glad I did. Many photographers, I believe, show their best work without sharing their failures. I don't blame them, but I think regular folks can learn from observing others' struggles. What do you think?
  • @jeffolson4731
    Some days are like that. There just isn't much activity and you don't really know why. Somedays, like today for me, there were some nice birds but they were further away than I wanted and the light was dull, so I am in no hurry to take the memory cards out and review the images. However, I was outside enjoying nature instead of sitting at a desk. I will take it any day.
  • @henkpeter1755
    Hi John, alas no images but nothing beats a walk in the forest isn't it? Thanks for sharing your walk.
  • @gladysklip6984
    Hi John, that's the life of a wildlife photographer, you win some you lose some. At least you were able to get out in nature that's what counts!
  • @whywho8887
    For myself its always a learning experience. No matter how prepared we are photographing wildlife is the most challenging. But being outdoors and taking the time to enjoy the experience is far better than anything. Love your exploration and explanation of what you are doing.
  • @jimowens8105
    Thanks for sharing your scouting trip. You now have a better idea of the area and where to go when you return. It is rare to get "beginner's luck" on the first wildlife trip unless you are there with someone that knows the area. On the other hand, now you are that someone that knows the area and will get that Heron next time.🙂
  • Hi sir. I recently discovered your channel. I love it and learn a lot. Thank you very much.
  • S. Calif / it seems i am having a hard time seeing many birds around me as well. It's like they all went somewhere; away from me... Just don't know where they went to. Thank you for the video..