29 Nov Snowy Egret Story | Nov. 2016

Snowy Egret Story – How I Took This Photo

Snowy Egret

This photo of a Snowy Egret was a gift.

But it also contains an important lesson.

In early July, 2016, I went to Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve to take photos of Elegant Terns as they dove for fish at the spillway.

Now, four hours later, I was walking back to the parking lot, which is about a mile from the spillway.

It’s late.

I’m tired.

I’m hungry.

And my legs hurt.

I had just started a yoga program, and the instructor told me this pain was a sign of healing. While she seemed delighted with my progress, I found it difficult to understand why healing had to be painful.

So I’m limping along on the sandy path, stopping every hundred yards to rest and let the pain subside.

And suddenly I saw this Snowy Egret take off.

I had seconds to lift, frame, and press.

Fortunately, my camera had been set to take photos of white terns against a dark sea.

So here we are, with this photo.

Notice there are no shadows because the bird was flying into the setting sun.

And notice the feather detail, which can be difficult to capture on a pure white bird.

So this photo is indeed a gift because it’s impossible to plan for it.

Of course, there’s a point here.

First, pain can lead to a reward. In this case, if my legs hadn’t hurt, I would have walked briskly to my car, and thus missed seeing the bird take off.

And second, every worthy achievement comes after persistence.

So, if you’re tired, keep going.

If you’re hungry, keep going.

And if you hurt, keep going.

Because the result that you want may be just ahead.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

Find More at:

Bird Photography

6 Ingredients for Bird Photography

Odd Quirk in Bird Photography

Did You Know?

The most effective way to help birds is to buy land.

Here are three organizations that excel at doing this.

1) American Bird Conservancy

2) The Nature Conservancy

3) The Trust for Public Land

Please visit their web sites to learn about the work they do.

Here’s an excellent book: The American Bird Conservancy Guide to Bird Conservation

You can help – Please share this blog with others.

Inspiring Respect for Nature, one bird at a time.

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