Photo blind?

[mn shutterbug]

What does everyone use for a photo blind for birds. I have the L.L.Rue blind (see attached photo), that I purchased several years ago. It's durable and sets up in less than a minute. However, it has just 2 port holes. This makes it tough when you never know which tree a bird is going to land on. It seems too restricting, especially if they land close and high up.

[Jaedon]

I just wear Cammo and move realllly slow.

I have often thought about a blind though. It would make sense if you were staking out a nesting site or a breeding ground, but as you said if the animal/bird gets into an awkward spot a few more ports would definitely be an asset.

[mjs1973]

I bought a blind this fall and have used it only a couple of times so far. It's a hub style so it sets up fast and it has lots of room for a chair and my tripod. It has mesh windows all all for sides so you can see in all directions. I have to unzip them in order to get a photo, but it's not a big deal. I may eventually cut slits in the mesh so I can stick my lens thru without having to unzip them. It's kind of big, so it's not something I would want to take with me on long hike. I want to try it out this winter with my portable heater to see how that works out.

Before I bought the blind, I used camo burlap. I attached a few poles to it so I could stick them in the ground. Then I would just sit behind it. I also have a small commercial blind that's designed for the same type of use. It's much lighter than the burlap.

Most of the time, I just dress in camo and find a nice place to sit. A camp chair is a must for me. Light weight and portable, and keeps you off of the cold/wet ground, and give you something to lean on.

[Canon_Bob]

I have the LL Rue blind as well. Best if set up near feeders, and you place the posing branches out in front of the snouts. Not really intended for setup out in the woods. Great blind for close-up work (I regularly shoot Cardinals and Blue jays at 3-4 feet!).

[scott-devon]

Interesting subject, I've considered adding a blind to my gear but I enjoy walking through the woods and I'm not certain I'd have the patience. Are there any really lightweight set-ups? Never tried camo clothing....hmmm, I may have to talk to a few hunters to see what blends best around here.

[mn shutterbug]

Is this one lightweight enough? http://www.naturescapes.net/store/pr...?productid=150

[Loupey]

Isn't it free-standing? Can't you use your head to lift it just enough to spin it? Better yet, can't you rove around with it - like a Monty Python skit?

Real questions from a real dork who's never used a blind before.

[scott-devon]

Is this one lightweight enough? http://www.naturescapes.net/store/pr...?productid=150

Shutterbug, thanks! Thats a neat looking product and more like something I'd use. The price is a bit staggering but it's definitely thought provoking...

[STinGa]

I bet you could run down to a local fabric store and find some camo style fabric (probably in various patterns and thicknesses) and fashion a similar drape / cover. For a couple of bucks per yard of fabric you could probably fashion something quite similar.

Who knows, this might be something for me to look into also.

STinGa

[mjs1973]

Is this one lightweight enough? http://www.naturescapes.net/store/pr...?productid=150

I like the weight they have listed for this product. I have used burlap before, but it's not light. I also carry 2 yards of black velvet in my backpack to use as a backdrop and it is heavier than the much larger burlap. If you can find a nice lightweight fabric, I wouldn't think a product like this would be too hard to make.

One thing that I have wanted for years and I think would work great for nature photography is a ghillie suit. I have thought about making one, but would rather have a professionally made one. Just haven't been willing to part with the $.

[Loupey]

I have been looking for a camo blanket to just toss over me while I'm sitting or laying down. Haven't found one at the sporting goods store but I do know that Jo-Anns sells camo cloth by the bulk. While it's not Mossy Oak or Real Tree pattern, it is better than nothing.

I think retail is $5.99 per square yard. Probably would need to stitch them together to get a 6' square workable piece.

[Jaedon]

LOL Stinga - I just did a search for fabric thinking the same thing. Ebay has vendors selling Real Tree camo fabric for $15 - 17 for 3 YDS. There are other fabric patterns for around $3 a YD.

[Alison]

LOL the lengths we go to hey?

[mn shutterbug]

Either that, or how about making a cheap camo poncho that covers you from the neck down, and then add a leaf camo face mask, for about $15. This way, you're almost covered from head to toe. You may want to cut an opening in the front of the poncho, for your lens to poke thru.

[mjs1973]

One other thing I use once in a while is a tree stand. I bought one a couple years ago, and set it up on my buddies land. It works pretty good, but it's hard to get a shot that doesn't look like you're shooting down on your subject when they are on the ground. This is a shot of my stand. I wrapped camo burlap around it to make a blind, and I also hung a piece of burlap over the support for the ladder to make an A frame ground blind.



I don't use it as much as I should, but a couple of my friends got some use out of it this last hunting season. This is one of the first shots I got from this stand.

[ciddog91]

One thing to think about it to go to an army surplus store and buy Digital cammo by the yard. It comes in bulk about 4 ft wide. I used mine for hunting. I bought green and brown and sewed it together. Two different sides. Then I water proofed the fabric and was able to lay under it if I was laying down or drape it over me if I was walking. It was water repellant so it kept me dry as well as my gear.

If you use a ghille suit, look at Bush Rag brand. They make different colors and fits. They work great. I used one when I needed it at work...

Just some thoughts...

Phil

[mn shutterbug]

If you use a ghille suit, look at Bush Rag brand. They make different colors and fits. They work great. I used one when I needed it at work...

Phil

What kind of work do you do where you would need a suit like that?

Here is another idea. I'd probably cut a few slits in it for the lens to poke thru.

Hey, I think I started a worthwhile thread.

[ciddog91]

I was a SWAT sniper, I also am an avid hunter. I also think this is a worthwhile thread.

I like what is above, and something along this line is surplus Army cammo netting. Almost same stuff. Hunting magazines have alot of this stuff to look at.

I have tried several different ways to be able to "get close" without detection. I have found some very good things out there. You gotta figure hunters need stuff to get close without "spooking" very nervous animals and it works, so they have somethings we should be looking at.

[mjs1973]

Anyone use any "snow" camo? I have thought about getting a cheap white painter suit for blending into the snow. It wouldn't have to be anything fancy. Just something to slip on over your regular clothes.

[mn shutterbug]

Anyone use any "snow" camo? I have thought about getting a cheap white painter suit for blending into the snow. It wouldn't have to be anything fancy. Just something to slip on over your regular clothes.

Then get some brown paint to break up the solidness of the white. I just saw some white camo in a store today. It's mostly white but does look like branches and a few weeds added in, to break it up a bit. It should work.

[mjs1973]

A question in another thread prompted me to see if I could find my blind online.

http://www.ardisam.com/detail.aspx?ID=4502

It's kind of big (they do make a smaller model) but I have plenty of room in it for a chair, and my tripod, and a second person if needed. The only thing that I don't care for is that the poll goes right through the window opening.