In the past I’ve discussed the many reasons why I prefer to photograph birds of any species in the few hours after sunrise so I won’t repeat myself here. But yesterday morning I was reminded of yet another reason that applies specifically to owls.
Plus a surprising reacquisition of focus on the shrike by the 7D Mark II after it took off directly at me.
I love a quality takeoff shot so I’ll put up with a less than ideal perch before the bird launches.
There are many of them of course and this is only one but it’s an important one. Every bird photographer worth his/her salt already knows this on some level but we all need to be reminded, including me. What you’re about to see is ample proof that I’m included on that sad list of those who forget.
Yesterday it was Cliff Swallows. To continue the swallow theme, today it’s Barn Swallows playing in the mud.
Most bird photographers who try to photograph swallows in flight give up in frustration and I tried for several years before doing exactly that. They’re just too darned fast and erratic in the air.
Out of uncounted thousands of Burrowing Owl photos I’ve taken over the years and many hundreds I haven’t deleted this image is one of my 3 favorites.
This recent Barn Swallow photo just might be my personal favorite of the species I’ve ever taken. It took me a while to come to that conclusion but the more I study it the more I like it.
Kingfishers diving from their fishing perches are among the most difficult photos I’ve attempted to get.
Plus a shocking recent example of cheating in a prestigious nature photography contest.
And how I responded to conflicting cues of true level when rotating this image to “apparent” level.
Three mistakes, miscalculations, screw-ups – whatever you wanna call’em – caused me to partially mangle this unique opportunity with a Yellow-bellied Marmot cub climbing a fence.
The moral and ethical behavior of my own species often appalls me but a very recent event has reminded me that I shouldn’t color with a brush too broad.
