After years of photographing birds, I've come to the conclusion that they have an uncanny ability to know exactly when I'm least prepared. It's almost as though they have a secret plan for when:
Barely having arrived, I’m wrestling with my tripod.
The light is not conducive for bird photography, and my ISO is ridiculously high.
I’m looking through my binoculars for potential bird photography opportunities.
I decide to walk to my vehicle to get something, because it will only take half a minute.
I feel like it’s as good a time as any to eat, and I’m occupied.
I've poured myself a hot drink and am about to savor the first sip.
I've put my camera down because, quite clearly, nothing much is happening.
I only planned on a very short stroll to stretch my legs, and the birds fly by faster than I can get back to my camera, as it turns out.
It’s cold; I have gloves on, so now I’m fumbling with my gear, or scrambling to get gloves off and fling them to the ground.
Any ideas as to my most common one, whether for bird photography, wildlife, or other situations?
It’s…
Well, I guess that’s about it for now, so I may as well pack up and go home.
Trumpeter Swan fly-by when I was wrestling with my tripod. I let it go and grabbed my camera, complete with a blur from camera shake caused by hand-holding my camera.
At other times, the light is not conducive, and the subject is too far away.
Oh, this is so not going to turn out, but it’s hard to resist because it’s exciting to be there in the moment anyway. Instead, I could have savored the moment and marveled at the spectacle.
One last look around before packing up because nothing is happening. Really?
And that’s when I spied these Trumpeter Swans taking flight from the far side of the lake.
Being ever hopeful, I was still almost beyond belief when I realized they were coming my way, ever closer, wing flap by wing flap.
In conclusion:
During my forays into bird photography, I have lost count of how many times, when I’m about to call it a day because nothing is happening, opportunities have appeared.
Perhaps it’s something that you can relate to, and you have experienced this too!
