Yesterday morning just after sunrise I was driving slowly on an isolated and deserted road looking for birds when I encountered a male Northern Harrier hunting along the road edge as it flew in the same direction I was traveling.
Avoiding “clipped” body parts is perhaps the biggest challenge associated with take-off shots.
When I’m photographing Western Meadowlarks at take-off there’s always one flight posture I hope I don’t get.
Photographing birds as they take off is tricky but with a little luck and perseverance it can be done. Landing shots are much more difficult and often require creative innovation.
Occasionally a Northern Harrier will come in close to the photographer as the hawk hunts the narrow confines of the causeway to Antelope Island.
Depth of field can have some fairly dramatic effects on an image and how much of it is preferred can depend on the tastes of the viewer.
I believe this to be a perspective on a landing raptor that one seldom sees in a photograph. It may not be to everyone’s taste but I found it interesting nonetheless.
There are three primary schools of thought when it comes to blurred wings in flight – not ever, they don’t bother me and it depends on the image. I fall in the latter camp.
Wind can be an issue when photographing birds in flight but at times it can also be your friend.
It’s easy to miss the potential of a photo when viewing it full frame. This image makes me wonder how many diamonds in the rough I’ve deleted over the years…
When I’m in the field I sometimes curse the snow but for bird photographers that white, messy stuff can often be a blessing in disguise.
In this case the old friend is a beloved lens and the kindness remembered was from my cousin Ken Dudley.
“If you’ve dated a redhead raise your glass, if not . . . raise your standards” – Anonymous.
Redheads (of the duck variety) begin to pair up on their winter range and some of the birds now migrating through my area have already formed their monogamous pair bonds.
Partially based on input from my readers I’ve been thinking more about styles in my bird photography.
