Project Title: The Zen and Art of Bird Photography

Genre: Wildlife/Birds

Theme: Bird Behavior

Subtheme: “Land, Air and Sea!” Bird behavior on land, in water, and in flight.

Purpose: My collection of photos can potentially raise awareness to protect the habitats that birds need to survive such as water resources, trees, and gardens.

I love photographing birds!  My Canon R6 with the RF600mm F11 IS STM lens took my photography capabilities to the next level. The excitement of capturing photos of birds in motion literally makes my heart flutter (pun intended.)  In September (2024) I traveled to Monterey, California and photographed birds near Monterey Bay. I used the guiding principles from David Ulrich's book "Zen Camera” and spent many hours observing the birds in their natural habitat. I took the photographs based on a combination of my own intrinsic style and formal training in composition. I strived for composition in use of space, color, harmony, and rule of odds. I am also studying Marie Read’s book “Mastering Bird Photography.” Marie says that in bird photography it’s essential to “Be there, be prepared, be aware and be lucky” and that success is based on the factors of “field craft, creative vision and determination.” In Monterey, I was not fully prepared because I do not have a second camera body to use with the 100-400mm lens, therefore, I missed some photo opportunities, but I was there, and I was learning.  I also have a new book “150 frequently seen birds of California’s Great Valley” by the American River Natural History Association which lists bird viewing areas so I will continue with the theme of bird behavior for the full semester.