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This is Not the Bird You are Looking for.
While I was out with my camera at one of my favorite spots, a mudflat in the backwater of the Ohio River. I stopped my car when I saw a small sparrow fly into a brushy area. While I was searching for the bird that I thought might have been a swamp sparrow, my attention…
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There is No Such Thing as Bad Light.
Have you ever said, “I didn’t get the shot because the light was bad”? I’m almost certain I’ve said that a time or two. However, there is no such thing as bad light—only misunderstood light. Instead of labeling light as bad light, perhaps we should refer to it as the wrong light for the shot…
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Imposter in My Backyard?
Every year around this time, a little yellow bird pays a visit to my backyard. At first glance, you might think it’s an American goldfinch. However, take a closer look. Notice the black, pointed bill and the rounded body? The American goldfinch has a cone-shaped bill designed for eating seeds, so this bird is not…
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Always be Prepared for Action.
During my birdtography adventure last week, I came across a pair of American black ducks swimming in a pool of water near the road. I used my car as a blind so not to scare them away. (for more on photographing from blinds, check out my birdtography column in the March/April 2025 issue of BWD…
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The Perch
This image of a tufted titmouse may appear natural, and in a way, it is. While the perch is real, the setup is completely staged. I found an interesting dead branch from a tree in my backyard and thought it would make a pleasing perch for bird photography. However, how can I entice a bird…
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Wings Up or Down, No Pancakes
One of my guidelines for capturing birds in flight regarding wing position is: wings up or down, no “pancake” wings. The positions that usually look best are either wings up or wings down. The “pancake” or straight-out wing position does not add much depth to the image or showcase the intricate details of the wings.…
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Black & White
On a recent birdtography adventure, I came across a flock of ring-billed gulls flying over the icy waters of the Ohio River. Gulls are a great bird to practice bird-in-flight (BIF) photography as they soar low over the water looking for food.With its predominantly white plumage contrasting against the deep, dark background of the image,…
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They eat insects too!
ruby-throated hummingbird As we approach autumn, the hummingbirds will soon leave Ohio for their winter homes in Central America.While hummingbirds are best known for sipping nectar from flowers and sugar water from our feeders, they also rely on small insects and spiders for protein, which is an essential part of their diet, especially during nesting…
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Mourning Doves
While sitting in my backyard last week with my camera, I had the opportunity to watch a pair of mourning doves. One of the mourning doves landed on a perch not far from me. As I observed, sitting quietly to avoid disturbing the bird, a second mourning dove landed on the same perch. Watching them,…
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