On the tail, you say?
At our home, some birds are more important than others. Specifically, birds that are in the queue to be photographed. Want to learn what I’ve learned? Don’t scare the birds. The rule goes for me and the dog, interchangeably. No opening doors, or wandering into the yard during a shoot. I accept that. I know the birds don’t pay any attention to humans; they’re on hawk alert most times.
I wondered how one could immobilize a bird (temporarily). Throwing a net is very labour intensive. Ditto for setting those box-and-a-stick models seen on TV (cartoons, for the main part). Then I remembered a method that I had been taught, many years ago. Perhaps by my grandfather. Put a dash of salt on the bird’s tail, and it will sit right there. I’ve never done this. Never seen it done. But when someone as wise as a grandfather deigns to pass on important knowledge, you listen (and remember, obviously). In retrospect, this might have been offered as tongue-in-cheek advice. A way of keeping tiny, energetic beings busy.
As it turns out, the method is very old. Brought over from Europe. And also never observed in nature. I suspect that many small children have learned that birds are faster than the salt shaker. Except for barndyard hens.
Now, back to the photography. The seasonal return is underway, and getting the perfect bird picture is a skill that is rare. I know I can’t do it. And the idea of sitting on the bitter end of a long cord, waiting to drop the box depends on many things. Better to take lots of photos, and then find the wheat (bird seed) among the chaff.
