Now it makes sense why this bird kept fluttering..

[kundalini]

Each time I opened and walked out the back door, this bird (yet to be identified) kept scurrying along the side of the house. I was going to the back garden ( :lol: ) to try my hand at macro ( :biglaugh:). So what are you to do???

I noticed a nest within a bush that needs to be cut back (and pushed back a few limbs of the bush) and then......
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa199/kundalini2737/hiddenbirdeggs.jpg


So then I stealthly (okay, I went out the front door instead) went to see if I could find the hen sitting on the nest.......
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa199/kundalini2737/hiddenbird.jpg


Now, here's the question for all you expert birders...... Can I snip back a few branches to create a hole to shoot through without causing any harm to the mother or the unhatced birds?

[Overread]

Advice with regard to bird nests can differ depending on the bird, but in general its best to leave well alone. Many will abandon the nest if they find it disturbed in any way or are pressured (losing cover, big lenses and flashes etc...) since they don't want the risk of being a meal themselves.
Make do with hte branchs (natural framing) and use your longest lens setup - and don't get too overkeen - its really easy to do and then you stay too long or get too close and next thing you know the bird is gone.

First shots is fantastic by the way! :)

[MissMia]

The first shot is really cool! You might be able to get some great shots when they hatch.

[kundalini]

The first shot is really cool! You might be able to get some great shots when they hatch.
Thanks. That's why I was curious about snipping back a few of the branches so I could have a hole to shoot through (from a distance) for the chicks.

[Rozari]

It's a great shot, even through the foilage. If you'd like some people-friendly birds, I suggest blue birds. You can buy (or make) nesting boxes for them with doors that open. Blues are very tolerant of visitors to their nests and won't abandon the eggs or hatchlings if you take pictures. You can open the door and get up close and personal. It's also helpful to them if you remove the old nest once they are done with it. They like a clean nest box and will rebuild the following spring. Here's a shot of my nest box with eggs....
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i297/Rozari/33592519.jpg