I Don’t Photograph Birds, Either, Usually
July 2, 2023
It happened again last Sunday. I met some people on the park path, and one, gesturing towarad my camera, asked, “Are you photographing birds?” I can’t tell you how many times someone has asked if I was photographing birds. I almost always answer with some—I hope polite—variation of “No.” Birds are lovely creatures. I appreciate them, and I’m curious about them. I even want to know their names. But I’m no birder or wildlife photographer. Most birds move too fast or are too far away for me to capture them in pixels. And yet . . . and yet . . . sometimes I can’t resist giving them a try. These are photographs I took in Florida between 2007 and 2013.
1 One of the rules of wildlife photography, so I read, is to capture the animal doing something. This red-shoulder hawk was in captivity, and as far as I could tell, what he was doing on his perch was standing still. But that face, that face. What dignity. How could I resist.
2 The hawk, this owl, and the bird in the next photograph were living in a sanctuary near Sarasota, Florida. Their humans take them to various art fairs and festivals to educate the public and encourage financial donations.
3 Lynn Wohlers (bluebrightly) identified this little guy as an American kestrel. She even gave us a link. See Comments.
4 My friend Gerty told me the name of this bird 14 years ago, but I can’t remember what she said. Maybe it’s a boat-tailed grackle. UPDATE: Gerty agrees.
5 You can tell that this is a snowy egret from its black bill.
6 This seagull is probably pretty happy, the crab not.
7 It’s probably his stance that makes me think this red-winged blackbird looks defiant.
8 This great egret in mating plumage appears to have dumpster dived. I’ve never seen a bird with such dirty feathers.
9 I’m fascinated by how this great egret balances so perfectly on the pipe. What strong toes he must have.
10 This snowy egret doesn’t even appear to be holding on that tightly. I’m amazed.
11 So engrossed was this great blue heron in preening that he didn’t notice I was only a couple of yards away.
12 Although he’s really looking for fish, this reddish heron seems to be peering Narcissus-like at his reflection.
13 Wood storks used to be endangered but are now listed as a threatened species.
14 For a time black vultures roosted in some dead trees near the entrance gate to the Myakka River State Park. My friend Janet and I were thrilled to see them this foggy morning. The park officials in the gate house were not.
15 I know I’m anthropomorphizing, but this crow looks to me as if he’s poised to embark on an adventure.
16 I don’t often catch gulls in flight in focus.
17 Pelicans are easier.
18 Easier still when they’re on water.
19 Or sandbars.
20 It was worth getting up early to see the gulls at sunrise on Siesta Key.
21 When I downloaded this photograph, also of gulls on Siesta Key, I was disappointed, but it has gradually become one of my favorites.
22 So has this one.
Romancing Reality 
For someone who’s not a regular bird photographer, you still managed to get excellent pictures in this group. Some photographic skills apparently transfer from one domain to another.
The experience you described in your opening sentences is one I’ve had many times, too, even when my camera has a physically short lens on it, and even if I’m obviously photographing a plant or flower. People just don’t get it. I’ve inferred that there’s a hierarchy in most people’s minds: birds first, then animals in general, with botanical subjects so far down the list as essentially not to exist. Sometimes I play teacher and explain to people who ask me that question that bird photographers generally use pretty long lenses so they can zoom in on birds, which are small subjects and often fairly far away.
Regarding #21, it’s easy to understand your initial disappointment over all those out-of-focus birds. The strong sense of movement, though, makes up for that, as you’ve come to feel. Sometimes suggesting a thing is more effective than showing it explicitly.
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July 2, 2023 at 9:04 PM
Thanks, Steve. So you’ve been accused of photographing birds when you aren’t, too. Wonder why people assume that. It must be, as you say, that people are not that interested in flora so just figure that we are not either.
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July 3, 2023 at 9:51 PM
July 4, 2023. I just heard from a photographer friend that when she is asked if she’s a birder, she replies that she is an everythinger.
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July 4, 2023 at 4:10 PM
I’ll say that, too, if anyone asks me if I’m a birder. The question has normally come in a form like “Are you looking for birds,” which doesn’t give me the same opening to answer with your friend’s witticism.
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July 4, 2023 at 4:36 PM
You certainly captured these birds. Thanks for sharing these photos.
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July 2, 2023 at 9:04 PM
Thank you, Anne. Glad you like them.
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July 3, 2023 at 9:51 PM
Fantastic bird photos, Linda. Your lead photo took my breath away. And #8 is absolutely stunning. You have a gift!
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July 2, 2023 at 9:29 PM
I’m sorry you lost your breath on my hawk photo, Ken; I hope you regained it quickly. Thanks for your lovely words.
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July 3, 2023 at 9:51 PM
American Kestral…I’ll be back! I love #21!
https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/american-kestrel
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July 2, 2023 at 9:29 PM
Thanks, Lynn.
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July 3, 2023 at 9:52 PM
I’m glad you saved #21 & 22 for last – they’re wonderful! It’s a fine series and shows that you don’t have to spend years grappling with the technicalities of wildlife photography to succeed in that area – a trained, keen, and practiced eye is more important. The first three headshots make a nice introduction, drawing us in without question. That dirty egret on the pile of garbage is fantastic! Can’t you see that as a cover image for some noir mystery about environmental degradation? 😉 It’s a relief though, to see the attractive egret after that and it was a great idea to mention wondering about balance. Love those egret feet! I like the roosting vultures and the gull in flight very much. A perfect moment seen in #18. (it rhymes!)
Wonderful post, Linda, Happy Fourth! Enjoy the day. 🙂
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July 4, 2023 at 11:55 AM
Yes, I did save those two for last on purpose. They’re the most unusual photos in this group, and both are by accident. Since I like them best, I should probably have more accidents. (But how do you court an accident?) I know just whose book should feature #8 on the cover: Carl Hiaasen. He doesn’t write noir, but he does write stinging. And funny. Maybe we should tell his publishers. I wondered about starting off with head shots; glad they worked for you. I love egret feet. I have so many photos of them. Thank you for all your comments, Lynn. Happy Fourth to you, too.
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July 4, 2023 at 2:39 PM
Oh, those happy accidents! We’re back from the parade – as always, a slightly rag-tag, very enthusiastic affair of people running for local offices, vintage cars, the city sewer-sucker and Fire Department, lounging mermen on the back of a pick-up, the Twisted Pixies (a group of outlandish older women), boy and girl scouts, a Latin horse act that never fails to win wild applause, and lots of candy-tossing to the kids on the sides of the street. I always try to photograph it and always fail utterly. 🙂
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July 4, 2023 at 6:12 PM
You have a knack.
For me, 8, 21 & 22 are most original… the latter being my favorite.
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July 2, 2023 at 9:47 PM
Thank you, Caroline. It’s nice to know that #22 is your favorite. It probably breaks a ton of composition rules, but it gets to me. Maybe that’s partly because the shape of the left wing is similar to the shapes of the waves in the water. I don’t understand why I don’t mind the right wing being cropped as it is. I was, of course, trying for the whole bird. Maybe I shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
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July 3, 2023 at 9:53 PM
And this morning still, it is my favorite. Not unlike a poem that speaks to my soul.
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July 4, 2023 at 9:14 AM
Ohh, thank you, Caroline! It pleases me that this photo stuck with you.
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July 4, 2023 at 2:40 PM
Wow- these are wonderful! Thanks for putting them all together.
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July 3, 2023 at 2:25 AM
Thanks, Sue. After I gathered my bird photos, I spent quite a bit of time winnowing them down. Twenty-two seemed like quite enough for one post.
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July 3, 2023 at 9:53 PM
Wonderful pictures Linda! Maybe I should try too…
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July 3, 2023 at 3:08 AM
I loved seeing these.. I have a friend who does bird portraits in long short stitch embroidery who would also love these. I love all of the things you include.
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July 3, 2023 at 12:44 PM
Thank you, Dorothy. Feel free to invite your friend to my blog. 😉
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July 3, 2023 at 9:56 PM
Thanks. You absolutely should try, Jag. You don’t always need a terribly long lens.
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July 3, 2023 at 9:55 PM
Great collection, overall! I’m glad that the initial disappointment with #21 didn’t make you delete the photo — it’s lovely and I can see why it has grown into a favorite for you. The color, movement, depth… it all comes together perfectly. 🙂
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July 3, 2023 at 12:46 PM
Alex, thank you. If you like #21, then I like it all the more.
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July 3, 2023 at 9:57 PM
These are wonderful–as are your words. :-))
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July 3, 2023 at 1:55 PM
Thanks, Marjorie. The words come harder than the photos.
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July 3, 2023 at 9:57 PM
#21 is lovely! That would certainly be in the keeper pile.
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July 4, 2023 at 12:55 PM
Thanks, Joe. I will keep it.
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July 4, 2023 at 2:40 PM
Such exquisite photography! Beautifully captured.
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July 4, 2023 at 3:37 PM
Thank you, Antonia.
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July 4, 2023 at 4:42 PM
I love the dumpster diving egret. The dirty plumage coloration against the buff wall made it look like an old print. Marvelous! Keep cool!
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July 9, 2023 at 5:23 PM
Thanks, Kathy. He was in an alley behind Main Street almost to 41. It’s been an alley with many treasures for me.
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July 9, 2023 at 10:06 PM
Nice post, Linda. I really like the first three. All three species are active in our neighborhood; we often hear the Barred Owls calling in the night. I really like #21, the flurry of gulls in flight. Wonderful!
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July 10, 2023 at 4:52 PM
Thanks, Mic. So that’s a barred owl; I didn’t know (or look it up). So happy you like #21.
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July 10, 2023 at 8:04 PM
Great pictures – love the Pelicans ♥
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July 16, 2023 at 11:43 PM