The bird feeder is incredibly busy at this time of year, especially with silvereyes. These tiny birds are fast, constantly flitting from branch to branch, making it almost impossible to count how many are visiting at any given moment.
Today, I set myself a challenge: to capture bird behaviour in motion, specifically wing movement, whether in aggression or mid-flight. Photographing fast-moving birds like silvereyes requires patience and the ability to anticipate their next move. But with years of observation, certain patterns become predictable.
For instance, when two silvereyes face off, shaking their feathers in an aggressive display, it’s usually a sign that a scuffle is imminent. If a bird locks its focus on a specific point and dips its head, it’s likely about to take flight. These subtle cues are the keys to capturing great action shots of birds.
After over 15 years of photographing silvereyes, I’ve learned to read these signs and react instinctively. Reviewing my older silvereye images reminds me just how far I’ve come in developing both my technical and observational skills. More importantly, it reinforces the value of consistent practice to maintain the muscle memory required for fast-paced bird photography, adjusting camera settings without looking away from the subject.
All of the images in this post were captured using my Lumix G9II. This camera is a game-changer for wildlife and bird photography, especially in low-light conditions. Its fast autofocus and pre-burst mode help me capture moments I might otherwise miss. While the G9II can shoot up to 60 frames per second, I’ve found that limiting myself to 20 fps is more practical, even with fast SD cards. It keeps the workflow manageable without compromising image quality.
These silvereye and bellbird images were taken over the last few days. The bellbird continues to visit our feeder, so I’ve been spending more time than usual at the window with my camera, resulting in a LOT of files to process! But it’s been worth it for the joy of witnessing and capturing these beautiful moments.
If you enjoy bird photography, I’d love to hear from you. Let me know what you think of these images and if you have a gallery or website, please share it. You can contact me here, and I’d love to see the amazing shots you’re capturing with your camera too.