Sorry I haven’t posted many photos recently. I have been spending sunny days, and sunny portions of mixed days, photographing the birds in our backyard. I have thousands of photos to sift through and process.
At the same time, I’ve been learning how to photograph birds. I have new, and better equipment, and have had to expand my skill set to take advantage.
I’m going to tease with a few of my favorite photos from the last few weeks. This is just one tiny corner of what I’ve been up to lately.
I’m also going to switching up a bit soon. I’m working on some fiction projects (short stories, novels) and I want to start engaging with those here.
I have been up to Lake Wilderness in Maple Valley, WA a few times. There are quite a few ducks of various sorts on and around the lake pretty much every day. The new 300mm lens has proven to be amazing for this kind of photography. The mallard above is just one critter I encountered on one of my trips. What is he doing? You tell me. ;) Ducks are surprisingly varied in their behaviors.
Case in point above. What is that? Very picturesque, at the least. A female mallard.
Here’s a real favorite; I’ve been trying to get a photo of a wood duck for thirty years. (I think I have one during that period. Maybe.)
That is a juvenile, with the colors just coming in gradually. Possibly a female; I would expect some different patches of color on a male. But I’m not 100% sure either way. But, a treasure nonetheless!
Speaking of crazy duck behavior, the female mallards sure love to frolic in the water. Splash, splash, splash. Here’s one fine example:
I haven’t the slightest idea what might be on her mind. But look at that rump, with the feathers arrayed so…splendidly. Could be mating season behavior.
Lots more photos to come.
Gorgeous photos! And ooh, writing, I'm intrigued already :-)