Tammie Rogers
Inspired by Dogs & Nature
Carolina on My Mind
In my last post I mentioned how I strive to take photos of our “backyard” birds in their most natural setting. However, it’s been winter and the local birds that stick around have been taking advantage of the food we have provided at feeders. This results in photos of birds in a less than natural setting. That doesn’t detract from the beauty of the birds.
This next group of photos was taken at the feeder. Yes, I do try to crop the unnatural parts away when possible, but it isn’t always an option.
When the photo is taken in a more natural location, it is usually more appealing to me.
Some species, like the Northern Cardinal, House Finch and Goldfinch tend to perch in branches and therefore present themselves as exceptional models for my photographic aspirations. But, other species don’t typically hang out in areas that are easy to access, or are challenging to film. The cute, quick and spunky Carolina Wren is one of those birds. They prefer to zip around in the underbrush. I’ve been able to get some good shots of that bird over the past few months because, well, they like suet. Peanut suet nuggets are their favorite and as long as I offer that supplemental food source, I am able to film the little, brown bird. But, I have very few photos of Carolina Wrens in a truly natural setting, and those that I do have are mostly just well cropped images taken near the feeder.
That changed yesterday when, I was able to film a Chickadee in its natural abode, doing what it does. At first, it was a quick movement in some shrubs that caught my eye. Look dead center in the next photo.
I was able to get a few nice shots of that bird. Then, a few moments later I saw it perched on the gnarly, dead truck near the Ponderosa Pines and got a couple of additional photos there. Of course, the absolute clarity isn’t nearly as good as when I am much closer to the bird, but to me that just isn’t as important as knowing where I saw this bird – just hanging out the way it lives it life.
Wow, how do you get such up-close photos! Beautiful birds!
Thank you. To get the really great close-up shots, I have to be close to the birds. They trust me when I sit still near the feeder. Sometimes, I get lucky with a bird that will remain in one place l long enough in it’s natural world for me to focus and shoot. It also have to be a brilliantly bright day and I have to hold the camera pretty still.
great work at what you do!
Reblogged this on Stine Writing and commented:
I love the close up pictures!
need songs of the Carolina wren!
You will find a recording I made of a Carolina Wren on my “Backyard Birds” page. You’ll have to scroll down to the WREN section. https://tammierogers.wordpress.com/birds-in-our-backyard/ or go to the HOME Page and look for PAGES and “Birds in our Backyard”