29 Mar How to Photograph a Marsh Wren | March 2016

Hello Marsh Wren, Are You in There

Marsh Wren

Here’s how to photograph a Marsh Wren.

Taking a photo of a Marsh Wren is difficult because it’s a shy bird that lives in a challenging habitat.

But in Death Valley?

Death Valley is the epitome of nothing – except along the Salt Creek Trail. Notice the difference between the foreground and the background in the photo below.

Salt Creek, Death Valley National Park

While walking on the Salt Creek Trail, I saw a woman with a camera.

So I asked, “What have you seen?”

“There’s a Marsh Wren over there,” she said, pointing. “I heard its gurgling call but never saw it.”

I continued toward where she had pointed, pausing every few steps to check if I heard anything.

My wife, who was walking ahead of me, stopped. “I hear something.”

There was a bird call with a gurgling sound coming from the Pickle Weed.

So we waited. And we waited. And we waited.

After about 20 minutes, my wife walked over to look at the other side of the Pickle Weed.

She waved. “It’s here.”

I pointed my camera in that direction.

Suddenly the bird popped up.

Here’re the photos that I took.

Marsh Wren Photo Sequence Lasting 0.4 sec

Since I was using a Canon 7D Mark II with a frame rate of 10 frames/sec, these four clicks represent 0.4 sec.

Notice that only two (and a half) photos show the bird before it disappeared.

So here’s how to photograph a Marsh Wren:

1) Ask for help.

2) Be patient.

3) Be ready to act quickly.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

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Help Birds Tip

Support our National Parks.

Why: These parks offer beautiful landscapes, exceptional wildlife, and memorable experiences.

Birding Resources

Death Valley National Park is so quiet that you can hear a bird fly. Learn more at: Death Valley National Park

Tip: Visit during Winter when temperatures are safe.

Did You Know?

The most effective way to help birds is to buy land.

Here are three organizations that excel at doing this.

1) American Bird Conservancy

2) The Nature Conservancy

3) The Trust for Public Land

Please visit their web sites to learn about the work they do.

Here’s an excellent book: The American Bird Conservancy Guide to Bird Conservation

You can help – Please share this blog with others.

Inspiring Respect for Nature, one bird at a time.

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