Filmmakers Tim and Russell Laman have captured the hidden world of our most common neighborhood visitors in their new video series, “Backyard Birds Revealed.” This 5-part series, produced in collaboration with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, uses cutting-edge technology to transform a split-second visit to a bird feeder into a cinematic event. While the Laman duo is famous for filming exotic species like Birds-of-Paradise in remote jungles, they turned their high-speed lenses toward their own backyard in Massachusetts for this project.
Episode 1 focuses on epic slow-motion landings. They used a specialized camera filming at 1,000 frames per second. One second of real-time action is stretched into 40 seconds of video, allowing viewers to see movements that are normally just a “blur of wings.” At this speed, you can see individual feathers adjusting to catch the wind or change direction.
“After seeing what these birds can do in slow motion, I feel like I can see some of these details even at regular speed. It makes it that much more fun to watch the birds at my feeders.” — Russell Laman
Capturing Epic Slow Motion Footage of Backyard Birds
Embrace the Beauty of Birds in Snow
Are Birds Fighting at the Feeder?
What’s the Hole Deal with Woodpecker Holes?
Two Ways to Climb a Tree—But Why?
