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All the years that i have been birding I have only done it with bird book and binos.

I have now also started to take photos and hence my dilemma.

Most birding sights are fleeting, so what do you choose, to take a photo or enjoy the sighting?

If you take the photo you have physical evidence of the bird and something that you can share with others, but a very static image.

If you take in the sighting, you have a great memory of this, but cannot share with others!

As a practical example: On Saturday I had a great sighting of 2 Red-chested Cuckoos interacting in a tree. If i took a photo, I would have a greatish picture (taking their secretive nature into consideration) and as I have only had three sightings in 20 years, this probably was my best chance ever. But, on the other hand Darren, a photo can never capture the interaction and activity of the bird, and just looking at them leaves a memory for the rest of my life.

Which one does one choose?

Enjoy the sighting, Imax!
Get y'r SO to take the pic.

SO could not be bothered by birding or photography So this is a Solo mission!

To illustrate my point, while seaching for that snipe you told me about, she was in the car writing shopping lists! Is not that she doenst like birds, just not interested in hunting them down!

As I can't identify a lot of new species without a book in hand, I shoot 1st. If the bird disappears, I've got something to id at leisure back in camp or at home. This also gives me more time to watch the bird and not have my nose in a book with 1st sightings.

If I know I have photographic evidence of the species, I only shoot if it is a good viewing or something unusual is happening. Then time is spent with nose in book getting more familiar with the species.

Why choose, Imax? You will find times when you can only watch the birds and you will find times ideal for bird photography... the two are hardly ever simultaneous! BUT! As your photographic prowess and arsenal grows you''ll find that the photography portion consistently gets the prime slots of the day when the "Golden Light" is available (up to about 09:00 and again from 16:00-ish). The rest of the time the camera comes into play for record purposes only.

(GOOD) Bird photography takes a great deal of time, patience, and ingenuity. It has inherent immense satisfaction. And lifers or really rare birds are frequently NOT the ones giving most satisfaction. It is the more common birds that we see most often that also supplies the greatest opportunity for those conversation pieces... Case in point - see below.


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Photography is an brilliant extension to the hobby of bird watching – however, a skilled photographer must understand bird behavior and habitat before he can attempt to compile a stunning visual record... Your efforts in that regard will only stand you in good stead once the new bug bites!

BTW, I cannot recall ANY lifers that also turned into stunning photographic images! What I am trying to say is that these are two entirely different pastimes, but at the same time thoroughly intertwined.

I ask again... Why choose?

Some stunning images Johan
btw, you have said it all

Just throwing a little ellie in the porcelain cupboard (free translation from a Dutch proverb)...

Thought about filming?

Who is that thought aimed at, Duco? IMAX???

Yep! And meant as a serious proposition.

And with that alias..... Should give us all a nice bit of footage I think!

Have you seen how huge those Imax cameras are! By the time I have it to my eye the bird and the serengeti migration will have come past!

But boy will i love to film for Imax!

Thanks Johan! You gave me great insight. When I visit N-KZN soon I will use the camera mainly for LBJs to ID later. But photos such as the ones above far surpass the detail that your mind will remember! I hope to get a few of those as well!

Let me tell you guys, those photos of JvR made this topic worth visitng again.

I also just started out in photography, but not a CMOS/SLR camera. I really enjoy taking photographs with my camera and it opened a NEW world to birding and it is worth working towards buying good equipment for bird photography.

WOW Those photos ARE great!!

Hi Imax
Well I click away cos at least I have the photo to ponder over when I get home and I can ask my daughter and her SO for their help in identification

I will also probably find that the more skilled i become the more I will take the pic.