And a more detailed and overdue explanation of why I’ve been posting so seldom lately. A situation I’m fairly optimistic I’ll be able to rectify very soon
Ever since this female Belted Kingfisher’s favorite fishing tree was cut down several years ago, I’ve been having a devil of a time getting decent photos of her. She’s always too far away and usually in backlight. This photo, taken two weeks ago, is pretty typical – she’s backlit in low light and not as sharp as I prefer. Although she’s sharper than I thought she would be.
In this photo, taken eight minutes later on the same morning, she’d chosen an unusual perch to fish from (for her) that was a little closer and in much better light. As she dived on a fish, for some reason my first takeoff shot of her was soft, but this second one was much sharper. She’s pretty much centered in the frame because I didn’t have any more room at bottom.
And this time she actually caught a small fish.
I just wish I’d done a better job documenting it.
She’s soft, the photo is tilted, and I barely kept her in frame, but we can see that she was successful and we can also see the water splash and small vertical water plume she made when she exited to water. If I leveled the photo I’d cut off almost half of her, including the fish.
This type of shot is one of the most difficult I regularly attempt. As you can see, my efforts are a work in progress.
OK, now for a subject I hate to discuss on my blog but I figure that readers deserve to know what’s going on. It’s been over a week since I last posted to Feathered Photography and about all I’ve done is give a hint or two in the comments as to what’s going on.
Beginning in about late August my back started going south on me again, fast. I put up with it for as long as I could but it prevented me from going on long birding trips, and eventually even shorter ones. So, I’ve mostly been shooting along the Jordan River near my home.
In the last six weeks or so I’ve had seemingly endless medical appointments, more X-rays than I can count, one CT scan, one MRI (postponed once at the last minute), one derivative of cortisone injection in my upper lumbar region (postponed twice. Apparently orthopedic surgeon schedules are “flexible” but one of the postponements was partly my fault – taking ibuprofen before getting steroids is a no-no) and another injection two days ago at the joint between my lower lumbar vertebrae and my sacrum. All in an effort to avoid another major back surgery, which would be my fourth.
So yes, I’ve been busy. And uncomfortable to say the least but I’m finally seeing some hope from the injections (results often take up to a week to show up, if they show up at all). Some of my symptoms have improved significantly, to the point that I’ve actually been able to work in my woodworking shop for many hours, on those cement floors that would normally kill my back.
Which gives me hope that I’ll be able to resume a more normal shooting routine, and posting routine, as soon as our approaching weather clears out. We’ll see how it goes.
And hopefully my friends, that’ll be the last you’ll hear about my bad back for a good long time. If I don’t post more often soon, you’ll know why.
Ron
Hoping your back is healed. Love your photos. Wishing you many feather featured shots and a pain free New Year! Jo’
Hoping you will find some relief from your back pain soon.
I hope etting out in nature helps you take your mind off the health issues with your back. Any moment of joy is bound to be therapeutic. Thanks for the visit with Mrs. Kingfisher.
Well thanks for the photos and information on your health. We just have a hard time getting older. If you are working on cement floors you need to invest in some type of rubber mats if you are standing in one place most of the time. Merry Christmas to you.
Trudy, regarding “rubber mats”, please see my response to Kathleen below.
Enjoyed these pix the first time around – but pleased that you let us all know about your back problems. Nice that the shots seem to be working and that you are able to do wood working.. Do you ever see or hear from Ken P? I know he used to do wood working with you. At any rate – get feeling better so that you can do what you enjoy.
Judy, I haven’t heard from Ken in years. He used to stop by every once in a while, but it’s been years since he’s done so.
Sorry I missed your call yesterday. I called back and left a message. Yes, we were playing phone tag.
I hope and wish you well. May the injections lead to improvement allow you to do the the things you enjoy in comfort.
Stay Safe,
Kaye
Thanks, Kaye.
Echoing the other comments about the beauty of Miss Kingfisher. You don’t seem completely happy with photo #1 – “backlit, soft” but I think it is gorgeous! And so glad she got a meal!
Your reply to Marty K about your Kleenexbox Box made me laugh – just like that great kids’ book “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie”….
Thank you for the medical report – you’ve been hinting at what you were going thru, and I’ve been picturing all that hardware in your back from your last surgery, wondering how things were going. Fingers crossed for continuing improvement and good results from the injections.
I’m glad you like that first photo, Carolyn. I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t softer.
I’ve never liked those Kleenex boxes. None of them, even though they change them from time to time. Now that I’ve built my own box, they’ll probably come out with one I like.
I for one know the pain of back problems. I wish you every good health and hope for your pain to subside. Love the pictures you share. Thank you.
Thank you, Travis. I’m sorry you’re one of us with back problems.
Love staying connected with you – however that works for you! Your posts are a gift to us. Pls look into a gym floor for your workshop. Heavy duty, flexible configurations, easy to clean and more supportive than concrete. 😀
Kathleen, I have rubber mats running along the front of all my tools, my workbench and assembly table. They help a lot.
Good to know! BTW – maple & walnut are my fav woods. More walnut in the last few years 💕
I haven’t worked with maple much over the years, except for a cutting board I made years ago. I’ve worked more often with walnut, including for a small table I made for my entryway. When it comes to hardwood furniture I probably use cherry most often. I don’t use oak as often as I used to.
Enjoyed the kingfisher shots! Much better and closer than any I’ve ever been able to get so far so kudos to you.
So sorry about your back. Hopefully you’ll soon feel well again!
Thank you, Joanne.
Dear Ron: I wish you every success with your treatment and a swift and lasting recovery, so that you may continue your very instructive photo sessions.
Thanks very much, Ricardo.
Cheering for you!!
Good. Thanks, Judy.
I love kingfishers!
I am so sorry about your back. Ugh, and ouch.
I want to see the woodworking!
“I want to see the woodworking!
Nicole, see my reply to Marty below.
I’m so sorry about your back, Ron. I hope that the injections will give you some ongoing relief — sounds like they’re helping a bit. I look at every post as a surprise treat, so please don’t worry about not going out shooting or posting “enough.” (I’d even be interested in seeing cell phone shots of what you’ve been creating in your workshop, as I have no skill in that arena and admire those who do.😃)
You have such a photographic way with Belted Kingfishers, especially the ladies! The dive shots are always so exciting! The last shot is my favorite. I like the way it focuses on the water as the point of action. The vertical plume and the droplets make the shot for me. Having the kingfisher at the edge of the frame with her prize and a little soft enhances the sense of the battle between bird, prey, and water surface in my eye. If you hadn’t said that the shot wasn’t level, I wouldn’t have picked up on it because it looks like she’s just banking to her left as she goes on to find a perch from which she can enjoy her breakfast.
“I’d even be interested in seeing cell phone shots of what you’ve been creating in your workshop”
I don’t think they’d be too exciting, Marty. It was a chain of circumstances that began with something as mundane as building a maple and walnut tissue box for my main bathroom to hide the flowery cardboard boxes Kleenex comes in that I hate. That led to buying a new scroll saw so I had to build a wheeled cart for it, which led to building a new top for my assembly/gluing/finishing table.
Like me, the old 1/2″ particle board top had seen its better days. I originally built that table nearly 30 years ago so the top was battered and scarred, covered with wood glue and paint and no longer as flat as it needs to be for assembling, screwing and gluing woodworking projects. The new top is 3/4″ melamine with hard oak edging so it should be easier to keep clean, stay flatter and smoother over time and the edges shouldn’t chip off. That’s the theory anyway. It’ll outlast me, that’s for damn sure.
To my eye, the water surface, and the tree reflection at upper right, are dead giveaways that the photo needs clockwise rotation.
The tissue box cover sounds intriguing. As a cello player, I’m always interested in maple. 😃
Interesting that the 3rd shot looked more level on my computer than it does on my cellphone. Wonder if the smaller image results in different processing pathways by my eyes and brain — it would make sense.
I had no idea you played cello. You’re multitalented!
You might change your mind if you heard me play. 😈😹🎶🎵
Maybe, but I doubt it. I know about all those music summer camps you attend in the mountains. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re a virtuoso, or nearly so.
Thanks for the lovely Kingfisher shots and keeping us updated. May your condition continue to improve.
Much appreciated, Brett.
Back problems are , well a pain ! Glad you’re feeling well enough to get some great shots .
Thank you, Laurel.
Sorry to hear you are having back problems again — wishing you the best. Hopefully the injections will do the trick for a long time. Happy holidays!
Thanks, Laurie. On both counts.
Love the (camera) shots, and very glad the other shots are helping. Back pain really sucks! Great photographic shots really help everybody. Thanks again for brightening my life!
“Back pain really sucks!”
It sure as hell does, Burrdoo.
I am so sorry that your back “situation” is ongoing. And I am very glad for you —that you have ongoing passion to document and create beauty….most people don’t have anything like it to give meaning to their lives and help them keep trying move beyond pain. I’m convinced that it is salvation to your spirit and that it gives you reason to keep on truckin’… I don’t know who said it, but “hope
is the thing with feathers”– seems appropriate in your case.
“I don’t know who said it, but “hope is the thing with feathers”
Kris, I believe it was Emily Dickinson. She was so right and so are you.
Bad backs and health supersede all other concerns. Good job Ron on the Kingfisher. I think there is a lot of luck involved in getting outstanding Kingfisher action shots. They are so fast and unpredictable it amazes me when photographers do get outstanding shots. Best wishes for improved health for the holidays and beyond.
“They are so fast and unpredictable.”
That’s one of the main reasons kingfishers were a nemesis of mine for so long. Thanks, Everett.
Luv the Kingfisher! 🙂 Glad they found “something” that seems to be working for your back – for now anyway! Medical establishment is not at all amusing to deal with. 🙁 Doing the wind thing here today. UGH!
Thanks, Judy. With the weather you’ve been having up there I’ve been spending quite a bit of time on the Cut Bank web cam. It’s been pretty interesting to even be able to tell when chinooks conditions show up.
I’ve been watching the Harvey Field Webcam in Snowhomish, WA. Brother Mike has a hanger there but moved his plane to Arlington before the big rains hit – good thing! Glad you’re able to get back into the woodworking a bit and “upgrage” your setup 😉
You are indeed a driven fellow. I enjoy all your photos, sharp or not. Said it before and it needs to be said again, I don’t know how you manage to swing that huge camera/lens around to get some of these action sequences.
Taking time between posts should be a given. In a way, it kind of makes them all the more special.
I appreciate your personal check-ins. Not that they explain why there has not been more frequents posts, but because it is good to hear how things are going for you – and not too good from the sound of things, but perhaps getting better.
Truly hope that you get well enough to venture further afield. That would be some good medicine.
“I don’t know how you manage to swing that huge camera/lens around to get some of these action sequences.”
Thanks for that, Micheal. It sounds like you appreciate the complexities of shooting action sequences out the window of a vehicle. It ain’t easy.
I hate hearing about your recurring back troubles; dealing with such never is simple, especially given the complexities/irrationalities of our medical system. That said, these photos are delightful. I especially like the second for the wide range of details it reveals: details that none of us ever would catch with our eyes alone!
“I hate hearing about your recurring back troubles.”
And I hate having to discuss them, Shoreacres. But what is fair is fair to my loyal readers.
So sorry to hear that you’re struggling with back pain once again, Ron. I hope the relief from the recent injections is long lasting! Any morning with a Kingfisher in my inbox is a good one! Thanks for posting. 😊
“I hope the relief from the recent injections is long lasting!”
Thanks, Diane. If I’m lucky the injections will last for up to 3 months. And after that long I can have additional injections. Probably a long shot though (pun intended).
Thank you for the update Ron. I hope your back continues to improve significantly. Sorry you’ve had to endure this pain in the ….. (south of the back) condition.
Thanks, Mark. That last injection was about as far “south” as it could be. Any further south and it would have been an enema… 🙂