HOT SHOT #2

EXPOSURE 1/4000 sec, f/4, ISO800 Lens 180-400mm f/4

Pro’s killer kit Gimbal head

Chris says… A gimbal head is so useful when shooting wildlife, especially from a hide. It easily balances out the weight of a hefty telephoto lens and body combination to give effortlessly smooth movement when tracking birds, making it easier to get the shot. If you don’t have a gimbal head, you could always use a bean bag to support the lens on the hide shelf to allow free movement.

Use your hood

The lens hood not only shades the front element from the sun, increasing contrast as there’s less flare from direct sunlight striking the glass, but it protects the front element of the lens from damage if accidentally dropped. If it’s raining or snowing your lens hood also keeps the glass clean and dry, so you’ll spend less time wiping spray from your lens, meaning clearer, sharper and smear-free shots.

Look for behaviour patterns

If you want to maximize your chances of getting good shots you must learn the behaviour of birds. Ospreys tend to perch in the trees overlooking the river before diving in to grab a meal, typically giving you a few minutes’ notice as it studies the action beneath the surface of the water before taking its prey by surprise. Many other birds take the same approach; while this Kestrel didn’t dive for a fish, it still perched in a tree, which made for a great shot.