How to photograph birds in your backyard

When spring gets too dreary, and I don't want to go outside, I like to sit at the window and photograph the birds. Colorful and entertaining, they make me forget that the walk needs shoveling, and I need to go to the store for more wiper fluid for my car.

The birds only show up though because I provide a few things for them in return. To attract birds, you need feeders filled with goodies for them. Little birds, such as chickadees, juncos and sparrows, like sunflower and thistle seeds with millet. All birds will go to a suet feeder in the colder months. They need the fat to help them stay warm. Woodpeckers will come to a suet feeder year round.

It's also important to provide scratch feed for birds. By sprinkling feed on the ground, the birds also eat grit, which aids their digestion.

Have you put out a feeder, and no birds have come? Then perhaps you need to provide cover for the birds. They need to feel secure at their feeders. Cats and bigger birds, such as hawks and crows, prey on the little birds. If you can provide bushes that bear food that they eat, they like that even more: pine trees, fruit-bearing trees, tall shrubs like sumac, dogwood and highbush cranberry also provide a nice background for your photos. Purple coneflowers and wild sunflowers also attract birds and butterflies. If you can't plant a tree for the birds, put your old Christmas tree next to the feeder for cover.

Anytime is a good time to put out a bird feeder. Vary the food depending on the time of year and type of bird you wish to attract. In spring, when birds are migrating north, they will find your feeder. You will see a variety of birds. Baltimore Orioles love oranges in May. The male eats oranges to make his plumage brighter to attract a mate. Purple finches will also eat oranges. They stay in Wisconsin year-round.

The Mississippi River, Wisconsin River, Horicon Marsh and Lake Michigan are the migratory paths of most birds. If you live near any of these landmarks, keep your camera handy, especially in spring and fall.

What kind of equipment do you need to take bird photos? You will need a longer lens, at least 200mm, a tripod and fast film, at least 400 asa.

Try to get as close to your subject as possible cropping out as much background as you can. Remember that these birds are wild and easily scared. If you are planning to shoot through a window, a dirty or tinted window will show up in your photo. Reflections can be kept to a minimum by wearing black and placing your lens as close as possible to the window.

You can also use a blind outside, which is available at camping and hunting stores. This allows you to use flash, too. A curtain/blanket placed on the window with a hole cut into it just for your photos will also work.

Remember the quality of your light is important too. The most successful bird photos catch a glint of light in their subjects' eyes. Shooting at high noon will not give you the desired results.

Tripod and fast film will help avoid camera shake. Things happen quickly at the bird feeder. You will have more success with a 35mm autofocus camera than with a manual focus or digital camera. A fast shutter speed will help you catch the action, and a shallow depth of field will blur your background.

Birds are fun to watch too. Before you start this project, put the camera away and watch their actions. Learn their habits and personalities.

One of my favorite birds is the Mourning Dove, which has become hunted in Wisconsin. These gentle birds have a soothing coo. Their coloring is muted and as gentle as their personalities. Slow fliers, they are easy targets for lazy hunters.