eBirdseed.com Wild Bird Feeding Blog

Notwithstanding the tragic wildfires (the faint smell of smoke from which filters through an open door as I write), the weather here is getting noticeably cooler. Days are shorter and return to Standard Time imminent. I see a change in backyard feeding also. I haven't seen Mr. Scrub Jay for some time now. The quail families visit the feeding area daily and seem to enjoy the seed I put out for them.

So, for this blog, I've decided to write about an issue ancillary to backyard wild bird feeding -- bird photography. Alan features his photograhic images to bring his blogs alive and let the reader experience some of the unique wildlife in his area. For those who care to try it, wildlife photography is a fun and interesting challenge!

Recently I met up with a fellow student from last semester's photography class for a photo shoot at Oceanside Harbor. I was pleasantly surprised with the excellent opportunities to photograph birds, including a white egret and Great Blue Heron, in addition to seabirds and others. In fact, we found the herons' communal nesting area high in a tree near a restaurant. Perched on a branch was a young heron.

The bird really just wanted to close its eyes and sleep.

I think the most important features in wildlife photography are the head and eye(s). I try to photographically capture the sparkle in the bird's eye. If the lighting is right and the camera focus sharp, capturing that sparkle is tricky but doable.

So ... with the sleepy bird closing its eyes and my camera focused on it, I made loud noises to get it to wake up! As intrusive upon its sleep as I was, it let me take as many images as I wanted (thankfully!). In most cases with wildlife, you don't get that opportunity!

Below are two photos -- the first where the head and eye are not in focus.

In the second, they are sharp.

Regardless of whether the bird is looking at you or looking in another direction, when you can see the bird's eye(s), the photo has much greater impact.

As an enthusiastic amateur photographer, I'll most likely return to this subject from time to time with lessons learned in wild bird photography.

Thanks and I welcome your comments,

California Kathryn
Fallbrook, CA