A bird in the hand...?

On the way to my Dad's house is a lane which is deafening with birdsong. You hardly ever get to see any though and you can tell when they have spotted you because it all goes very quiet. (until you have safely passed) One day I would like to go and spend some time there and try to get a proper picture but for today it is the only picture I took.

I was going to hold the ladder while my Dad changed the light fitting at the top of the stairs. I ended up with a crick in my neck and found it very scary. Why do they make them just that little bit further along than you can really reach?