Photo of the Month
This image of resting Western Sandpipers, I was able to capture only after crawling Indian style, about 30 yards on my belly in the sand. I pushed in front of me, a 300mm lens and 1.4 teleconvertor on an old ball head mounted on a Frisbee. Winter shorebirds are fairly tolerant but it does take some time for them to accept you as non-threatening, and they will, but only if you approach very, very slowly with no sudden movements. I stopped periodically to shoot a couple of frames in case I got no closer, but also to get the birds used to the sound of the cameras shutter. My approach lasted about 30 minutes in all, until a beach walker’s dog disturbed their slumber with a futile charge. They flew off in mass and left him spinning circles and barking at the air. I did try to time my shots to include some surf action in the background but because of the constant wind did not hear the approaching dog and missed an opportunity at a nice “jump shot”, the moment all the birds jumped up and were gone in an instant.
Eric Horan
Photo tip: Don’t be afraid to get down and dirty for your bird portraits. I think of it as trying to become one with my environment and accepted by my subjects. I do not want to seem like an intruder for them to worry about. I’m sure I added five pounds to the weight of my cloths by the end, with all the wet sand but no worries; it was worth the observation time and the resulting image.
To find out more information on the neo-tropic shorebird migrations try a google search you will be amazed by all the different species and how far they go. To see more of my work please visit: http://www.southernlight.biz/
For more information visit Eric Horan's Website
southernlight.biz or call 843-524-3037