Yesterday morning was my first time out shooting in 29 days. It (mostly) felt very, very good.
Until yesterday I didn’t feel well enough to even want to go shooting but thanks to the inflammation-reducing effects of prednisone, a steroid that’s an absolute wonder drug in my book, I decided to go for it so I headed for Farmington Bay WMA. Prednisone is potentially dangerous stuff (members of my own extended family can vouch for that) so I can only take if for a few days.
But I’m grateful for the temporary reprieve because it provides me with some significant pain relief while I continue to heal from major back surgery. At my first post-op appointment last week my surgeon told me that I have nine new incisions (I can’t see all of them, even in a mirror) so considerable inflammation and resulting pain are to be expected. He jokingly complained about how tedious and time consuming it was to close that many incisions.
OK, enough about my surgery. But I know that many blog followers are interested in how my recovery is going so I wanted to touch on it. I’ve been surprised by how many readers have already had similar back surgeries or have them looming ominously in front of them.
1/5000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Birds were pretty slow yesterday but I did manage to get a couple of sharp photos of this Greater Yellowlegs in flight. Of the two I like this one best because most of the reflections in the water aren’t directly behind the bird. I wish I’d been closer to the Yellowlegs but if I had been I’d probably have only one flight shot instead of two. Tradeoffs.
A vertical composition of the same photo that includes the bird’s reflection might have been my preference if it wasn’t for…
an unfortunate and highly distracting gull in the foreground.
Although it was wonderful to get back in the field again it was more than a little frustrating and discombobulating. Because I still can’t twist in my pickup seat due to surgery restrictions (and won’t be able to for some time), my available shooting angles out my window are reduced by about half. As a result, I couldn’t even aim my lens at several birds that were close and performing interesting behaviors. I’m pretty sure I invented some new cuss words.
And my muscle memory pulled a major switcheroo on me. After shooting with my previous camera, the Canon 7D Mark II, for nearly eight years and then not using my relatively new and current camera, the Canon R5, for an entire month, I kept trying to use buttons and dials that either don’t exist or are in different locations on the R5. The time wasted searching for the right button or dial cost me some nice opportunities with several birds.
I still won’t be out shooting as often as I used to but yesterday morning was a new beginning and for that I’m grateful.
Ron
Sorry to admit that the gull gave me a little giggle as I imagined the interior of your truck turning blue. š Glad you were able to get out shooting and hope that your back continues to heal quickly.
Lovely to see these! And the gull actually provides a nice reference for the depth of the water, even though it looks like you photoshopped it in š
Hope your insomnia resolves – that 1:30am anxiety can really get to you. Not surprising, though, with all you’ve gone thru in the last month!
“it looks like you photoshopped it in”
I think it does too, Carolyn. But believe me, I didn’t. In the second photo I actually photoshopped it out.
Great to see you out and about again and with a terrific image of the Yellowlegs to kick it off.
Your audience out here appreciates your updates and wishes you well in your recovery – you are an inspiration to us all.
Thanks for the very kind words, Gary.
ROTFL!!! Can hear you making up those new cuss words in reaction to the gull photo-bomb and your R5 muscle memory loss. Keep that sense of humor alive – it will help with the healing process. …. still laughing š
“still laughing”
Good. I wasn’t then but I can find humor in it now.
I must have been having āsympathy sleeplessnessā pains last night, it was most annoying though not atypical (which is one reason Iām always late to post here). But nice to see you in the olā inbox again, with the handsome fly-by Yellowlegs and photo-bombing gull. As everyone else has said (in so many words), āJust be careful out there!ā š
Chris, eventually insomnia can become a big deal – Michael Jackson comes to mind. I’m nowhere near that point but it isn’t much fun.
It is always wonderful to see a new post from you, and to learn that you have been shooting is particularly so. Having had several intravenous courses of prednisone I have very mixed feelings about it, but am so glad it is helping you for the moment.
Of course you had a photo bomber. And I would have loved to hear you cursing up a storm – I have needed new words/phrases recently.
EC, there ought to be a word for those of us who find usefulness in cussing. Maybe there is.
Normal? Or normal in the circles I am comfortable moving in anyway.
Works for me!
What a wonderful serire Ron, cudos! Hang in there, time heals!
Charlotte Norton
I hope so, Thanks, Charlotte.
Good to hear youāre back at it Ron! This post provides optimism.
Thanks, Susan.
Obviously going to take time for you to be able to be out there and be as comfortable as before the surgery, but it will come if you are careful and be patient. I have had friends who got hooked on the pain killers. Not a good thing. Great to see you out there giving it a try Ron. Murphy put that gull there just to remind you that nothing in nature photography comes easy.
Everett, I still haven’t taken any pain killers – partly for the reason you mention.
Ron, it’s really great to hear that you were able to get out and shoot. I’m guessing that time outside with camera and birds is some really good medicine. And some beautiful photos as a result also.
It was nice to get out there again, Bill. I just wish there were more birds…
Ron, in my opinion the English language needs some new cuss words. Due to overuse, the old ones simply don’t express the intensity of emotions that they used to do. Thank you for your linguistic service! (And it’s wonderful to hear that you can start to get out there again!)
“in my opinion the English language needs some new cuss words”
I’m working on them, Mikal. I can get pretty creative when I’m inspired and yesterday I most certainly was.
The Master is back in business!
I don’t know about that, Kent. But I appreciate your confidence in me.
This is a real nice image. I can just hear the high-pitched call as it flies buy!
Bruce, this one had a buddy that was calling too.
Great news, Ron. I am glad you were able to get back out in the in the field and do what you love. Super sharp photos!
Thanks, Ed. In this case I think I owe the sharpness to the R5.
What joy for you! Freedom, may you have many more days doing what you love.
I am HAPPY for you!
Take Care,
Kaye
Thank you, Kaye.
I imagined that Yellowlegs’ opened bill with a word balloon saying, ” Hey, Ron– nice to see ya out in the field again !” I have a friend who swears by Melatonin
for interrupted sleep ( it’s an over-the counter available ). Maybe ask your
doc if it’s something you can use with the prednisone ?– I’m really happy that
you’re getting intermittent relief, and equally happy that you’re being careful
with it.Thanks for posting.
Kris, I’ve been using melatonin and at times I think it helps but I forgot to take it last night.
I thought I felt a disturbance in the force yesterday. Those new cuss words must have travelled far.
Despite the muscle memory mishaps and limited ROM thatās a fine display of the Greater Yellowlegs in flight.
I think āGull butt photo bombingā deserves a tag just for its comedic contribution.
Thank you, Lyle. At first I thought it was a gull “butt” too but the gull is actually facing my direction.
Great to see you’re back out in the field again. That photo-bombing gull is a hoot. Take it easy out there! š
Thanks, Cathy.
There is a thread I like on /reddit (a notoriously toxic place but Iām not seeing that) called birdsareassholes. That photo-bombing gull belongs there. š
Arwen, coots have been the worst photobombers for me but gulls aren’t far behind.
Ron – glad to have you back doing what you like to do best. Slow and easy is the name of the game. Glad you shared these fantastic shorebird photos.
Hope things continue to proceed in the right direction.
FYI – I am a fan of PBS Evening News – they had a segment on the diminishing Great Salt Lake last night. Thought of you and Mia.
I missed it, Mark. I’ll have to see if I can find it.
YES! Great for you to be able to get outside for a bit even if shooting was limited and frustrating both with available compositions due to range of motion and newly forming muscle memory for the R5 failing you at times. Reflection doesn’t really do anything for me in this case nor does the “darlin’ gull” š
Prednisone IS a good news/bad news drug – glad it’s helping for the moment.
“Good news/bad news” drug is a good way to put it, Judy.
I laughed aloud when I saw the gull in the last photo. No matter. At least you were out and about, and seeing it. When I saw Yellowlegs mentioned in the title of Mia’s post, I went on high alert, wondering. It was pure delight to learn that you had, indeed, been able to get out and make a few images. In time, you’ll be doing that with plenty of sleep and without prednisone, but this was a great start.
I hope you’re right, Shoreacres. Thanks.
Hoorah! But do NOT overdo it Ron. I appreciate how long that 29 days seemed to you – but please resist the temptation to push yourself.
I’ll try, Frances.
There’s a lot to be said for feeling the sun on your face and the wind on your back! Glad to see you and your Yellowlegs in my inbox this morning. Sleep is an important element to recovery – enjoy it whenever you can!
Diane, I’ve been trying to get more sleep this morning. No luck so far.
I am so very glad to hear that you had enough relief from pain that you could even consider going out. Having taken prednisone myself I know it can have some nasty effects but also work minor short term miracles and sometimes we all just need those. And given those circumstances I will happily take either shot, gull removal and all because it’s just nice to “see” what must be your “happy face”, even for a short while.
Thanks very much, Granny Pat.
So glad to get this post, and that you were able to get out and have a go. Thanks for the medical update, and thanks for the tutorial on how you got to that first photo. I like it.
Prednisone can be a real bugger. I recall an inability to get a decent night’s sleep, and an increase in appetite (like I needed that).
“…but yesterday morning was a new beginning and for that Iām grateful.” Gratitude is a marvelous practice. It is healing and centering; good for the soul and what ails ya.
Michael, both insomnia and increased appetite are notorious side effects of prednisone. I’ve lost nearly 8 pounds since my surgery and I haven’t noticed an increased appetite since I’ve started taking prednisone but insomnia has been a major problem for me for the last 3 weeks and I’m sure the prednisone isn’t helping.
This morning I finally gave up trying to sleep and got up at 1:30. Thankfully I’ve been more successful sleeping during the day but my biological clock is sure screwed up.