What makes a good photograph? Does one need fantastic equipment? While expensive camera gear certainly helps, the more important aspect of wildlife and nature photography is the person behind the camera. To be a good photographer, one must be dedicated and perhaps obsessive to getting “the shot”.
With subjects like birds which move so very fast, I ALWAYS use burst mode. So much can happen in a micro second. The goal of a photograph should be to create art, not just photograph a bird. Early this morning I followed around five or six Phainopeplas in the hope of getting a good photograph. My constant hiking and positioning was a never ending to effort to get both the sun behind me (and on my subject), and find my target bird on an interesting perch. It goes without saying that I arrive on location around sunrise to get the best light. While the light at sunset is just as good, birds are much less active and harder to find.
Today’s photographic sequence of the Phainopeplas appealed to me because I was able to not only get my subject out in the open (as opposed to buried in a thicket), but also I love the curvature of the branches. Ultimately a little help never hurts when the subject bird performs. Finally, it is not unusual for me to come back from an outing with 500+ images which I wield down to just a few per bird type.
Phainopeplas … Birds and Curves
Upon returning from my three hour hike / birding expedition I immediately switched into cycling clothes. Given the wind was picking up, and was due to build up to 28 mph, it was time to ride. Without delay I took a 12 mile bicycle ride. While the ride was enjoyable, my AirBnB Western Screech Owl did not seem to approve of my getting my bike out of the car port! Uff Dah!
Lord (or Lady) of the Garage … Western Screech Owl
Once my friend realized I was NOT a threat … Zzzzzzz
