The photographer hiding inside a fake tree

To photograph shy birds, the Kearton brothers hid a man and his camera inside an imitation trunk. What looked like bark was a portable camera hide.

Bamboo, wire mesh and removable hoops gave the disguise its shape. Painted cloth, moss and ivy supplied the bark—and the whole thing could roll up for travel.

A slit let the lens look out, with small openings for the photographer’s eyes. The person stayed concealed while the birds remained in view.