Having difficulty finding birds to photograph in high heat/humidity

[James C.]

Does anyone have any tips for finding birds to photograph during the 90ºF+ days with high humidity (esp. New Jersey)? Several of my favorite locations face east, so I usually go out during the evening "Golden Hour" when things are starting to cool down and so I won't be photographing into the sun. However, one aspect of bird behavior that I'm noticing is that when it gets hot, they don't seem to want to fly. (Understandable.) And with the foliage now full, it's nearly impossible to photograph them in the trees like you can in late autumn through early spring.

Any recommendations?

 

[DRwyoming]

Any recommendations?

Around here peak bird photography season is in the spring in part for the reasons you mention but also because many birds are in their best plumage in the spring. I'll still photograph birds into the summer but the opportunities aren't as frequent. With modern cameras high ISO performance I do a lot more of my photography on partially to fully overcast days and during twilight hours which opens up possibilities like early morning, pre-sunrise photography when things are cooler and the birds are more active.

But yeah, I agree that birds tend to be less active and spend more time in heavy cover during the heat of the day. Some exceptions around here are Swallows and Hummingbirds that don't seem to mind the heat and are active all day long. That's one reason that I tend to take many of my Hummingbird shots in July, August and early September but for most songbirds I get my best results and often best plumage in the spring.

 

[Abinoone]

Does anyone have any tips for finding birds to photograph during the 90ºF+ days with high humidity (esp. New Jersey)? Several of my favorite locations face east, so I usually go out during the evening "Golden Hour" when things are starting to cooling down and so I won't be photographing into the sun. However, one aspect of bird behavior that I'm noticing is that when it gets hot, they don't seem to want to fly. (Understandable.) And with the foliage now full, it's nearly impossible to photograph them in the trees like you can in late autumn through early spring.

Any recommendations?

Pretty much the same in upstate NY - during the dog days of summer, not a lot of avian fauna to photograph. As DRWyoming mentioned, prime seasons in many places are spring and fall (especially spring). Aside from hummers, I tend to shift my focus to land/water scapes during the thick of summer, although I'm hoping to catch a few bison, wolves, bears, and goats when I go to Yellowstone in four weeks!

 

[FB101]

This is the tough time of the year anywhere. You'd actually have a bit better luck early morning, birds are bit more active at sunrise in summer and shoot into the sunrise if you need to - great chance for silhouettes and backlit shots.
The other thing is, I don't know about NJ, but here in central Indiana this is by far the most awful mosquito year in a long time - so I am not rushing out at 5am just to serve free breakfast for the local blood sucking pests

 

[Ralph]

Does anyone have any tips for finding birds to photograph during the 90ºF+ days with high humidity (esp. New Jersey)? Several of my favorite locations face east, so I usually go out during the evening "Golden Hour" when things are starting to cooling down and so I won't be photographing into the sun. However, one aspect of bird behavior that I'm noticing is that when it gets hot, they don't seem to want to fly. (Understandable.) And with the foliage now full, it's nearly impossible to photograph them in the trees like you can in late autumn through early spring.

Any recommendations?

I‘ve been traveling down to Ocean City ,NJ. There is a rockery right next to the Ocean City Welcome center. It is Taylor made for photography. It faces southwest. All types of herons and ibis can be found there. Take NJ Garden Parkway to exit 30. Go east on route 52 and the welcome center exit ramp is on the causeway just before you get into Ocean City. Not sure how far you have to travel but only an hour drive for me. The picture below is the upper level where you park. It’s about level with the tree line.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

There is also a lower level which gives you ground level access.

 

[GG1]

Does anyone have any tips for finding birds to photograph during the 90ºF+ days with high humidity (esp. New Jersey)? Several of my favorite locations face east, so I usually go out during the evening "Golden Hour" when things are starting to cool down and so I won't be photographing into the sun. However, one aspect of bird behavior that I'm noticing is that when it gets hot, they don't seem to want to fly. (Understandable.) And with the foliage now full, it's nearly impossible to photograph them in the trees like you can in late autumn through early spring.

Any recommendations?

Conowingo Dam in Darlington, MD

 

[Bluetail]

it’s like that here in W. PA too, so as an alternative to shooting birds, I’m out stalking pollinators and dragonflies. They’re very active now—& it’s a way to not only engage with seasonal critters, but also to work on tracking skills (at least until the
tooth fairy/Easter bunny/Santa drop an A1 on my front porch! ).

 

[RichF]

I tried to find a nest or two. Never more foliage out of the way, just hope for a good angle.

 

[clippy]

If you have any prairie habitat around I would give it a try. Probably in the morning.

 

[Andrew Lamberson]

You may have to switch to bugs for awhile!

 

[MikePapple]

I start looking for birds in April, but I have the most success May, June. There is breading plumage, some are migrating north, and many are chirping away trying to find mates. In July-August many are hiding in vegetation. I suspect they are molting, before they migrate south in the fall. I haven't found much info on when particular birds molt other than 3 or 4 times per year.

By fall, many birds like ducks and geese have been hunted, so they stay a couple of hundred meters away. Not great for photography.

 

[Whiskeyman]

Now is a good time of the year to visit the tropics and southern hemisphere for nature photography. Didn't Steve just take a tour group to Costa Rica, or somewhere else in Central America?

For me, as I'm in Florida, I tend to keep the camera put away more during Summer, especially beginning in mid-to-late July through early-to-mid September. The exceptions are for when the year-round resident raptors are behaving differently, reptiles and amphibians, and insects, along with a few others observed more seldomly. I'm looking forward to the next few months, as there is a pair of Ospreys building a nest behind my house. Hopefully, their nest will remain active for a long time and produce many photo opportunities. While I do this primarily for my comfort and to not sweat all over my gear, I also tell myself that heat distortion is now too detrimental to image quality. And I'm sticking to that excuse!!!

One opportunity that presents itself during the summer is to create a natural looking food harbor for small birds where you can lure them to where they are photographically accessible. Besides seeds, offer fruit and worms and you might be amazed at what birds will show up. If you have issues with this, and think of it as baiting, read the following: Audubon - To Feed, or Not to Feed and/or Audubon - 11 Tips for Feeding Backyard Birds.

 

[Calson]

I would be looking for shorebirds where early morning backlighting and side lighting is often a plus. Unlike California, Oregon, and Texas, where the beaches belong to the public you will need to go to those areas that are open to the public and this can be a problem if one needs to wait for an access gate to be unlocked. I rely on the local bird clubs and e-bird data for information on current bird sightings in my state.

 

[realspeed]

Sorry but my sense of humour kicks in with that heading. If your having quote " difficulty finding birds to photograph in high heat/humidity" unquote.
Why not put them in the fridge first to cool down.

 

[Turberticus]

This time of year is tough, but I've been able to find a few locations with breeding warblers here in SW PA that have been in the same place since they arrived in May. You just have to know where to find them. So far in July I've photographed a Cerulean Warbler, Northern Parula, Kentucky Warbler, Ovenbird, tons of Hooded Warblers, and a Common Yellowthroat, all of them ~30 mins outside Pittsburgh. I use a combination of eBird and DM'ing local photographers on Instagram to find them.

 

[James C.]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

 

[LHays]

This time of year I do butterflies and dragonflies. Flowers with/without insects are also good. A good time for macro work. When late August/early September comes I'll be back with the birds in migration.

 

[Owney]

I‘ve been traveling down to Ocean City ,NJ. There is a rockery right next to the Ocean City Welcome center. It is Taylor made for photography. It faces southwest. All types of herons and ibis can be found there. Take NJ Garden Parkway to exit 30. Go east on route 52 and the welcome center exit ramp is on the causeway just before you get into Ocean City. Not sure how far you have to travel but only an hour drive for me. The picture below is the upper level where you park. It’s about level with the tree line.
View attachment 22328
There is also a lower level which gives you ground level access.

Thank you for sharing this. That was very considerate of you.

 

[RichF]

BTW I have trouble finding birds in the viewfinder that I can find w/ my binos. Need more practice