Images in the Backcountry Blog » Lincoln’s Sparrow

The New Backyard DIY Photography Blind, Pond and Waterfall

Mike Matenkosky — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 04:21:03 +0000

Last year I wanted to build a small DIY photography blind in my backyard. I had an old play house that my kids used to play in. It worked, but I had to sit sideways and shoot. Not very comfortable. I need something larger and I also wanted to add a small water feature. I got tired of using a clay pot as a bird bath….not very realistic.

Since my knees/legs are fixed straight, I sit on my old wheelchair pad on the grass. Pretty comfortable. I need to hide my legs and tripod though, so building a square box is out of the question. I drew up a set of plans. I went out Home Depot and bought $20 worth of 3/4″ schedule 40 PVC pipe and ‘a few’ fittings. I had an old tarp so I covered it with the PVC frame work using a few spring clamps from my old blind.

Next I constructed my pond and waterfall. Right now it’s about 4 feet square and 3 to 6 inches deep. I’m glad our area is fine dirt/sand because trying to dig a hole without the use of your knees was a challenge. I lined the pond with 3.5 mil plastic and drove out to the foothills to get ‘a few’ rocks.

I found a Waterfall Kit from Zoo Med Laboratories at the local pet store. Its a quiet small submersible pump and I use an extension cord to power it. No, it’s not plugged in 24 hours a day. I just use it when I’m shooting.

It’s still a work in progress. I’ve already widened the pond from 2 feet to 4 feet and I may widen it more. I can add or remove rocks, twigs and logs to suit the occasion. I plan on buying another hummingbird feeder close to the waterfall in hopes to capture a hummingbird while bathing.

So if I can build something like this, I’m sure you can too! I hope I’ve inspired you to build one for yourself. Have fun with it and keep shooting!

A picture is worth a thousand words, so here’s some photos…

My Studio

Sitting inside the backyard blind

The View

The 3/4″ Schedule-40 PVC Framework

The Backyard Pond and Waterfall

The Kitchen You can see the feeders and the old Christmas Tree that has holes drilled in so I can fill it with my Peanut Butter Suet.

The Backyard Waterfall

The Other End of the Waterfall

The Submersible Pump

A Lincoln’s Sparrow Taking a Bath

Orange-crowned Warbler and Friends

Mike Matenkosky — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:46:44 +0000

I finished my new photography blind and pond/waterfall a few days ago. I’m going to take some pictures and post them at a later time, but I just had to try it out! I was able to capture an Orange-crowned Warbler flying around our Orange tree. They look like a hummingbird at first. It’s not the best image, but I at least got a decent shot for ID purposes….now it’s time to get a better photo!

Orange-crowned Warbler

I changed my pond a bit and the Lincoln’s Sparrow still enjoys taking a drink.

White-crowned Sparrow

A Wet & Wild Lincoln’s Sparrow

Mike Matenkosky — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 04:13:50 +0000

I spent most of the afternoon just watching the different birds feeding, drinking and fighting. I just enjoyed the show and really didn’t take any pictures. Then I saw a “new” bird, a Lincoln’s Sparrow. I only got one photo last year and never saw it again. This afternoon he (or she) decided to stop by and take a drink….then jumped in to take a bath! I was so happy….my first ‘bathing beauty’!

Lincoln’s Sparrow

A Great Week!

Mike Matenkosky — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 20:00:56 +0000

It’s been a great week for me. I had my 1-year check-up since the doctors fused my left leg (Arthrodesis) at Stanford Hospital. They told me everything was great and unless I just wanted to go back…just to update the family….I’m now free and clear. After nearly 4 years of countless appointments/hospitalizations, I’m done!

I’ve also added a few more ‘new’ birds to my collection…

Lincoln’s Sparrow

Northern Mockingbird

Black Phoebe

American Goldfinch

Nuttall’s Woodpecker