How to (safely) photograph birds out in the marshes and mudflats

For years, my lens has captured stunning images of birds, both here in the Lowcountry and around the world. Here are a few tips for getting that gorgeous shot.

Dress the part and keep your eyes open: “Definitely wear proper footwear. I have snake boots on whenever I go out. In our area, personal safety is important. I can’t tell you how many people have been stuck in pluff mud or lost camera gear. Be aware of the tides and your surroundings.”

Keep your distance: “Use a long lens if you can. I typically shoot with a 400-600 mm lens. If you don’t have that, you can use teleconverters to extend your photographic reach on a 100mm or 200mm lens.”

Unless you can get close: “I typically don’t use a tripod. I lay on the ground. Get low to the ground as much as possible if you’re shooting shore birds and backyard birds. It really changes your perspective on your subject.”

Learn how to shoot manually: “That way you can really control shutter speed, aperture and ISO, and that’s where you can play with the light. Shooting in auto, the camera makes all those decisions for you.”

Train your mind first: Before you can shoot the bird, you need to do your homework. “It’s not about the camera. It’s about knowing where the bird is going to be and when.”

Watch the weather: “I went out to Mitchelville Beach the night before Tropical Storm Elsa. It wasn’t high tide, and the tide was already high. I saw night herons and egrets heading into the woods, and clapper rails moving to higher ground. To be able to witness that was fascinating.”

Most importantly, respect the birds: “The habitat so fragile, and you don’t want to scare the birds. Look for signs of stress, and don’t approach nesting birds and give shorebirds a wide berth.”