It can be simple and rewarding to create an inviting environment for your bird visitors. Here we have a few ideas to help you create not only an inviting environment, but one that will also help you get photographs of birds in a natural situation, rather than simply sitting on a feeder.

As hoped, the flicker co-operated and went to perch on the log, providing a great chance to get a good
photograph in a much more natural setting.

You never know who will want to investigate and check it out for grubs and bugs.

You could even smear some suet into the nooks and crannies to further entice exploration and hopefully give you a chance to get another good photo opportunity.

If you live in an area with lots of lichen-covered trees, try to find some twigs and branches that have been blown off after a storm.

This can add an inviting aspect to your feeding station and you'll notice that birds will drop by to take the lichen for their nests.

Birds love to have a place to perch and in these two photographs you'll see that a Varied Thrush and a Downy Woodpecker have both chosen to perch on the same strategically placed twig at different times.

If you roll your mouse over these last two pictures you'll see what the main attraction that drew them to the twig in the first place was.

 

A little bribery like food and water and some carefully placed branches and twigs can result in some great photographic opportunities. Gradually your visitors will become familiar and at home at your feeding station.

With today's powerful digital cameras you'll be surprised what great moments you can capture.