The Milford Point Bird Sanctuary is a bird haven in Connecticut (map). Lots of birds feed here and many of them even nest in this place. This year I decided to photograph the birds of this area. From April to July, I spent many mornings here. I always arrived before sunrise, so I avoided the crowds and I was able to photograph the birds’ morning routine in beautiful light. I used my favorite method to photograph these shorebirds. I never chase the birds, it’s not only inefficient, but it can be harmful for the birds, especially for nesting birds. I rather watched their behavior first then positioned myself in a place where I knew the birds were going to come to me. Photographing birds in their terms is always more effective and way more enjoyable. I went as close to the ground with my photo equipment as possible to achieve the ideal angle for bird photography.

I used my longest lens and even put a 1.4x extender to be able to photograph the birds from a distance they were comfortable with. I took advantage of an angle finder so I didn’t have to lay down on the muddy and rocky ground. Here’s a gallery of my favorite images of the birds at Milford Point.

Gear: Canon EOS 5Ds camera, Canon EF 500mm f/4 lens + Canon 1.4x Extender, Gitzo 1340 tripod, RRS BH-55 ballhead + Wimberley Sidekick gimbal adapter.