Marilyn

Editing photos is time consuming and can frustrate me at times. I don't have the means to pay for photoshop, but I found an editing program through nikon. It meets my needs. It doesn't have everything that photoshop has, but I am not a professional photographer. And I like to share my photos on Facebook and Instagram. Usually I post on my private accounts for just family and friends. I am also part of a PA birding group on facebook that I post some of my favorite to at times. When I first started birding, I would give facts about the birds I was photographing, but then stopped because I didn't think people read it, but after watching what Melissa Groo said, I know that it can make a difference. So, when I share more photos, I plan to try to educate people a little bit. I attached some recent photos of Ruby-throated hummingbirds I was lucky enough to observe their behavior, chasing each other around, yelling at each other. I edited them and I think the editing was worth it. And I also took a photo that was backlit to see how I liked it and it came out nice. Gives the hummingbirds feathers detail.

A couple weeks ago I went out to go birding. When I arrived, I was greeted by a red-shouldered hawk. Though I was super excited, I stayed in my car and set up to take pictures, watching what the hawk was waiting for. This was the closest I had been to a hawk and could not wait to capture its beauty. But it was sitting right in the middle of the field, and I guessed it was looking for its next meal. So, I watched and observed its behavior. Eventually it landed in the field, and I guessed it may have found food. While I was still observing, more people had pulled up and he got scared off. I was very disappointed. But then like 15 minutes later I was walking along a path near the field and saw the same hawk. Eager, I snapped more photos of it. I stayed hidden so, he would not spook and just admired its beauty. Eventually, I continued walking so I can observe other birds. Also, with the picture of the hawk in flight, I was not prepared for him to start flying, so my shutter speed was lower than what I would set it for birds in flight. But looking at it after, I like that the wings are blurry, it gives the picture depth, like he is actively moving towards me through the picture. And I had also went out during the afternoon on a sunny day. Usually I try to go during golden hour because this is when I find the most birds and get the best lighting. But I think I was able to adjust and compensate for the patches of very bright sunlight on the hawk. The shadows playing on the hawk where placed perfectly, giving more depth to the hawk.

I like to sit spot a lot. Because whenever I am walking or moving about I see that I disrupt or scare the birds, but once I sit still for 15-30 minutes they start to come back and do their own thing. Some I have gotten really good shots from doing, and other times I was not so lucky. I always make sure to give the birds distance and be respectful of them when I am taking pictures. The tips learned in this lesson have been helpful and I plan to use them. One thing, is I have never used my car as a blind. I do think I should try it though. Not only was there a whole video about it but I know of other photographers that do it as well and they get some good pictures. I just have to find places with roads that are not very frequented.