Observing an Indigo Bunting singing at Hawk Mountain Pennsylvania in 2005 inspired my interest in Bird Photography. While I aim at high quality images, I sometimes post pictures that serve as a record of what I observed while out in the field.

My formula for success (when I encounter it) is patience (waiting for a good photo opportunity while out in the field), persistence (going back to the same spot and trying again), skill (understanding lighting as well as the strengths and weaknesses of my camera and lenses) and finally, last but not least... luck. I'm still working on the first three. The "luck" factor is what makes this hobby so compelling, and sometimes exciting: you never know what will pop up when out in the field. And, on those rare occasions, some birds land nearby and appear remarkably cooperative.

I often post multiple images of the same bird since there is, in my estimate, no perfect image. Each image has strengths and weaknesses. Besides exposure and sharpness of focus, I will consider the position of the bird's head as well as the presence of distracting vegetation. Each image has "trade offs" few possess everything I would like to see in a high quality photograph. Some images I post are "softer" than I'd prefer, but the species, action or pose can sometimes compensate for this. Nonetheless, striving for an ideal image, along with the fresh air and exercise, is what keeps me going out with my camera; which, by the way, has over the years included the following equipment:

Canon EOS R7, 80D & 60D

Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L

Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens

Canon 300mm f4 L lens & the 1.4x and 2x extenders

Retired Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at Penn State Abington.

P.S. Apologies if I sometimes miss your photos if I follow you.