The day I realized that spending a king’s ransom on one of the best and most expensive birding lenses on the market hadn’t been a mistake.
In the early summer of 2007 I was still a wannabe bird photographer. At the urging of a mentor I had just purchased one of the most expensive birding lenses available but I really didn’t have the skills to use it to anywhere near its potential and I was extremely fearful that I’d spent all that money on what would become a passing fancy. And then what would I do? I’d have to tuck my tail between my legs and sell the lens at a loss, probably a big one.
At that point I’d made several short trips to closer birding areas with my new lens but I hadn’t been able to get any photos that were anything special that got my photographic juices flowing so I was still in limbo. I was a recently retired teacher living on a modest pension so I had to wonder if I’d made one of the biggest financial mistakes of my life.
Then, on July 7, 2007, I made a trip to Bear River MBR.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 400, Canon XTi, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM + EF 1.4 II Extender, not baited, set up or called in
On the access road to the refuge I spotted this Short-eared Owl in excellent early morning light and I immediately got buck fever. I just knew it would fly off before I got close but the bird surprised me and stuck. I’ll admit that I was shaking with excitement so my first photos were soft but the owl gave me enough time to settle down and get some nice shots.
This bird was the first Short-eared Owl and perhaps even the first owl of any species I’d photographed with my new lens so I was on top of the world.
1/1250, f/8, ISO 400, Canon XTi, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM + EF 1.4 II Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Only 17 minutes later when I arrived at the parking lot of the refuge I found this Barn Swallow in distress. ‘He’ had some kind of debris stuck between his outside primary wing feather and one of his tail feathers so he was one pissed off bird. Obviously he couldn’t fly so he stayed on the post and struggled and almost screamed in distress. I photographed him for quite a while before he eventually broke the bond between his feathers and flew off in an instant.
At that point I hadn’t even begun to tour the refuge but I already knew that I was in love with my new lens and my bird photography career would be a lasting one. In fact I sat in the parking lot reviewing my owl and swallow photos on my camera screen for much too long before continuing along the auto tour route.
I was so excited by my results that morning it wasn’t long before I bought a new camera (the Canon 40D) to replace the cheap and wholly inadequate Canon XTi which was the first DSLR camera I’d ever purchased. That dinky little camera looked silly as hell on the end of my huge new lens anyway.
After all, I had an image to maintain. Or al least to begin building…
Ron
Notes:
- These photos were taken so long ago I was still shooting in jpeg rather than RAW. I hate processing images that were taken in jpeg.
- I paid $5400 for my new lens in 2007. In today’s money that would be $6800. That was a huge expenditure for me back then. Hell, it would still be today.
- I shouldn’t have worried so much about taking a big loss if I had to sell that lens soon after I bought it. When I eventually did sell it six or seven years later I sold it for only $200 less than I originally paid for it.
- I have no idea what substance was stuck to the swallow’s feathers. Spider silk has been suggested but that’s only a guess. Cropping tightly on this photo and others doesn’t yield a definitive answer.
As a photographer, the Short-eared is still a nemesis bird to me after 11 years of “career”. Rarely seen in Quebec,with only a couple of reports per year, this strigidae is a sought-after bird in my area. So your awesome photograph would win a big price up here.I fully understand your frustration at the start of your quest for the first successful photograph. All apprentice photographers must go through this. Fortunately for you and for us, this encounter with the owl was the trigger for one of the most interesting blogs I have ever read. Have a great one!
This photo reminds me of the time I was hiking along the Colorado River in Southern Nevada sometime in 1973-1974 time period when I came across 4-5 Short-eared Owls roosting together in some heavy vegetation. I expected to observe some Great-horned Owls along that stretch but never these owls. Unfortunately, I spooked them and they flew off. Such remarkable birds that I have never seen since that day. Thanks for the memories!
I’m glad it brought back some good memories for you, Skip.
Beautiful photos, Ron. They make me inspired to keep on taking photos – even though I don’t have a lot of time right now to do it. Can’t wait until I have more free time…
I hope you find the time soon, Joanne. Bird photography does take time. And patience.
I am so very glad (and endlessly grateful) that the SEO fed your passion.
I am very sure that you didn’t realise that photography would bring you friends and admirers across the world but it is so. Emphatically so.
I sure didn’t realize it, EC. An unexpected and very positive consequence.
For you and for us. I am pretty certain that a lot of us choose to start our days with your photos and commentary. Choose to start our day on an excellent footing.
Yes, I know the feeling of throwing in the towel with wildlife photography, I am there most days lately. I feel like my focal length is never enough and nothing I took yesterday is sharp.I almost felt like handing my whole set up to a stranger yesterday who asked what I was shooting with. I need to just break down and send my camera into Canon for a look. I have a hard time separating with camera for so long.
One thing about the sticky stuff, there is a bird repellent that stores like Home Depot and Lows both use to keep birds from roosting and nesting in their outdoor roofing. Horrid stuff, I wish it were illegal to use. It really makes a mess of feathers and glues birds to things and their feather together. It stays on their feathers for the life of the feather. I went on an rampage of email writing and phone calls to the stores where we picked up damaged birds.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bird-X-Bird-Proof-Bird-Repellent-Gel-12-Case-BP-CART/202753546
It stays on the feathers for the life of the feather??? That sure as hell should be illegal. I hope your emails and calls had some effect.
EC here is a story from 2019. There are several companies that make a similar product, all horrific.
https://discoverwildcare.org/pigeons-covered-in-horrible-sticky-stuff/
Oh April. Thank you for the link. Thank you, but now my heart is aching for the birds who were not discovered and helped.
I thought some of your photos have looked pretty good lately regarding sharpness, April. But then it can be hard to tell at the resolution Facebook uses.
That sounds like horrid stuff. Agree with EC that it should be banned.
Best. Investment. Ever. And we are incredibly grateful that you decided to take the plunge! Even the Shortie thought so — he has his little ear nubbins perked up for you. 🙂
I thought it was pretty neat to see those ear tufts perked up like that, Marty. It doesn’t happen all that often with them.
What Everett said. What Lyle said. What Laura said. Heck, what everyone has said. I have a (relatively late-in-life) passion for birds, raptors in particular, and your blog is the place to find the images, information and commentary that make me grateful I discovered them (and you)—it’s really an amazing world! Thank goodness for that SEO and swallow to keep you on track.
Ditto! 😉
“Thank goodness for that SEO and swallow to keep you on track”
I’ve had that very thought many times. Thank you, Chris.
Thanks for your beautiful Short-eared Owl photo, Ron. This is, no doubt, the only way that i’ll ever get to see such a lovely bird. I’m an owl admirer and have been since first hearing their night calls when i was a child in Missouri. i never saw one during the day, never, until i was camping in Utah, near Escalante. There were 3 Northern Pygmy Owls in a nearby conifer — it was glorious to watch them.
That was a lucky sighting, Nina. I’ve only seen and photographed a Northern Pygmy owl a single time.
I think they were very young and waiting for the parent to bring some food. I took pictures but they looked pretty much like your cellphone photos. Have you posted your pygmy owl photo?
Yes, but none of them were very good. The shooting conditions were terrible.
https://www.featheredphotography.com/blog/2017/11/30/northern-pygmy-owl-with-big-prey/
Thanks, Ron! I understand your assessment, but, honestly, I like this photo/blog. The bird, of course, appeals to me. But also we can see the context of the owl on its perch, plus the much needed meal. I like the tree and all of it’s bits of bark and lichen. I like the background, too. I think it’s all good.
Outstanding photo and great story. That little owl and the new lens were all that was needed to launch a successful second career as a bird and wildlife photographer, and we FP followers are the beneficiaries.
Thank you, Everett.
It’s easy to sit here and enjoy your daily photos. But I would be lying if I didn’t admit that, because you give us a glimpse into the effort and time it has taken to develop your photographic skills, the always interesting stories that accompany them, and an occasional glimpse into other aspects of your life- family history, pet peeves, all things ornithological- well, it’s become a most unexpected but favorite daily ritual.
I appreciate what you said in your comment very much Lyle.
I’m in complete agreement. What would we do without Ron’s blog?
Thanks very much, Nina.
Oh my, Ron. Insert ear to ear grin here! I’m grateful every day for your patience, persistence and passion! Thanks for sharing. And suddenly 11F with wind chill of -2 doesn’t feel so bad….
Cold is definitely relative isn’t it. Thanks, Diane.
Yes…being able to get two photos like that definitely would cast the hook for ever! Getting such a great shot of the barn swallow is certainly a prize…those head feathers and the black eye always seem to be challenging…this one is perfect.
Thank you, Kathy.
Nice! We are all the beneficiaries of the lens working out and your persistence in learning your “craft”…😀 The SEO is great and the swallow certainly unusual! Glad it got “unstuck”. It is a challenge to figure out what’s “user” and what’s “equipment” sometimes tho often the former at least in my case…😉
-29 with -53 wind chill this morning…..😬
Thanks, Judy.
Holy hell, if it’s that cold there I wonder what it is in Cut Bank. I’ll have to check…
I just checked. It’s 30 below in Cut Bank and wind chills “will continue to fall to
40 to 60 below zero during the overnight hour”.
Virtually always worse there. Weather this morning said Havre got to -61 windchill this morning – didn’t catch actual…. Been many years since it’s gotten this cold for this long here….
What a wonderful moment memory! And also wonderful that you have the lovely and outstanding images to prove it (to yourself, moreso than others)! I’m so delighted the owl waited for you to gather your senses and that the swallow freed herself from whatever that stuff was and owned her skies again!
I remember the first day my passion for falconry overtook that of my lifelong passion for racing and race cars. There were hints along the way, beginning with a chapter on falconry in one of the ancillary books that came with my Collier encyclopedias when I was about eight. Then came the first raptor on my fist, a lovely Lanner falcon about 40years later. The hook was firmly set then, but then there was the day I met Mariah (female redtail hawk). Like that lens, she changed my life forever in so many different ways I can’t even begin to count. These moments in time are so very precious!
Laura, it’s interesting to reminisce about the events that began such long and enjoyable journeys isn’t it. I’ll never forget that day at Bear River.