Australia has a spectacular array of bird species, but for nature photographer Georgina Steytler great pictures start with understanding their fascinating behaviour.
Mrs Steytler is an award-winning photographer from Donnybrook, Western Australia, who left her career as a lawyer to focus on bird photography and conservation.
Knowing how birds behave and they'll respond to her presence are the keys to capturing the perfect moment, she says.
"They could be flying, they could be splashing around having a bath, or they could be warbling and talking to you, as magpies often do," she said.
And the coronavirus outbreak could present an excellent opportunity for aspiring bird photographers.
"If you find yourself isolated, there would be no better time for experimenting with the birds in your backyard," Mrs Steytler said.
"In general, bird photography is better done on your own because birds tend to get intimidated by large groups of people."
Mrs Steytler shares some of her top tips for capturing stunning photos of birds.
Choose the right location
Your choice of location can affect not only your chances of encountering birds but also how willing they are to be photographed.
"Go to a place where birds are habituated to people, such as a local park," Mrs Steytler said.
"Even if you've got a nice bush backyard, that's perfect as the birds are already used to seeing you."
Choose the right time of day
It is no secret that "golden hour" — the time around sunrise and sunset — makes for the best photos.
"Go when the light's really nice. Avoid the middle of the day when you get a lot of high contrast between shadows and light," Mrs Steytler said.
"But you can also shoot on cloudy days because there's a lovely diffused light.
"The number one thing is to avoid harsh shadows."
Get as close as possible
There is a saying in photography: "If your photos aren't good enough, you're not close enough".
"People think I use a big lens and I can be on the other side of the lake taking photos but even with a big lens you need to be as close as you can get to the bird to maximise the detail," Mrs Steytler said.
"Regardless of what equipment you use, get as close as possible.
"That's why going to your local park is a great idea, because the birds are habituated to people."
Get eye level
Often overlooked, but this technique can increase the impact of your photo.
"Get down on the ground, and if you have to commando crawl forward then commando cruel forward," Mrs Steytler said.
"The birds are less threatened and they'll let you get closer."
Avoid clutter
You want attention to be focussed on your subject and not a "busy" backdrop so look for a spot where the background is far away.
Using a telephoto lens helps because it produces a shallower depth of field and makes your subject stand out more.
Can't I just use my phone?
Contrary to popular opinion, you don't need an expensive camera and lenses to take great images.
Mrs Steytler said her most popular photo on Instagram last year — a Nankeen Night Heron – was taken with a mobile phone.
"With phones it's a little bit harder to get closer, so I used a selfie stick and got on the ground," she said.
"I crawled closer, pushing the phone out towards the bird as close as I could, and I used a remote shutter. So it can be done."
