More often than not, the time you get to go out looking for birds is not always the time for perfect light for bird photography - but if you're like me, you go anyway.

Heat haze is the invisible prankster of photography. You line up a crisp shot of a distant bird, a shimmering horizon, or a dramatic landscape… and the result looks like it’s been gently stirred with a spoon.

There’s a particular kind of magic in a true birding trip — the kind where dawn starts feel like a ritual, guides speak in hushed excitement, and every rustle in the canopy could be something extraordinary. But let’s be honest… that’s not always how it goes.

A little planning can go a long way with bird photography, especially if you're on a trip, headed to a new location or are seeking a specific bird - or maybe you just have limited time to get out birding and want to make the most of it.