Make sure your tripod is fully extended and secure, that your back is to the sunlight and to the wind, and that you are capturing the eyes of your subjects

Keep the tripod in front of you and keep your camera controls loose

Always be mindful of the balance you must strike between shutter speed and aperture

The 400-800mm range is where I like to be for bird photography

A good shot is the right combination of gear, approach, technique as well as the right subject

We've reached the halfway point of the course. Let's review some of the things we've covered so far

Look for the best individual bird in the flock and stay focused on it

This is how I work. These are suggestions, not hard and fast rules

Remember to always steady the lens, push your eye to the viewfinder and roll your finger onto the shutter release

The flash is a very important part of bird photography

This is a rigid system that I use for flash in these situations. Remember, it takes practice

In my opinion, there is none better than the Wimberley head

Develop a routine for taking it on and off so that you never have to take your eyes of the subject

I brought a friend along to join me and we patiently wait for the Osprey to present us with an opportunity