duncansalchemist
Eastern screech-owl
For "Themes & Challenges": transplanted objects or props fortnight (archive photo)
It's a total cheat. But it was also a total accident. I headed out at dawn to what I thought was a birdwalk with the Baltimore Bird Club to a spot I'd never been before - renowned for its unique ecosystem and its wide array of birds. Of course most of the people attending would be *birders*, not *bird photographers*, satisfied with a quick glimpse at a distance, or identification from songs alone. Still, I figured I'd learn some!
When I arrived at [what I thought was] the designated meeting point, I was pleasantly surprised to see LOTS of people with cameras and tripods. Oh, boy, maybe this was such a great spot for bird photography that EVERYONE was bringing their cameras - I wouldn't be the only soul trying to snap images!
A woman went around with a clipboard, taking names. Ulp - no, I hadn't signed up in advance; were we supposed to have done so? I never had to sign up in advance before. Yes, but it was OK, there was still room. But it'll be $89, please. I beg your pardon? for a bird walk?!?!? I've never had to pay before! I'm starting to panic. I got up before dawn. I'd been looking forward to this bird walk for months - my chance to learn to ID spring warblers! But they want money? How many lessons on sheep could I purchase for this? They explain no, it isn't a bird walk, it's a lesson in bird photography. Oh, well, I'm here, OK, I'll pay it - I bet they have a ton that they can teach me!
It wasn't until it was far too late for me to back out that I realized that (a) the bird walk group I'd been intending to meet had met elsewhere and by this point was long gone; (b) the "bird photography" class wasn't heading on a bird walk - rather, they were photographing captive birds of prey. By that point I was committed, it was too late, the money was gone. Chalk it up to my brain not functioning well so early in the morning.
I might have had the longest lens in the group. It made it difficult to capture decent images - there were always tons of people between me and the birds. Would I do it again? No. I will have to learn by experience, I guess.
So here you have it: an owl, but not one I'll add to my list for the year. The prop is a hollow log that they positioned the captive owl within.
Eastern screech-owl
For "Themes & Challenges": transplanted objects or props fortnight (archive photo)
It's a total cheat. But it was also a total accident. I headed out at dawn to what I thought was a birdwalk with the Baltimore Bird Club to a spot I'd never been before - renowned for its unique ecosystem and its wide array of birds. Of course most of the people attending would be *birders*, not *bird photographers*, satisfied with a quick glimpse at a distance, or identification from songs alone. Still, I figured I'd learn some!
When I arrived at [what I thought was] the designated meeting point, I was pleasantly surprised to see LOTS of people with cameras and tripods. Oh, boy, maybe this was such a great spot for bird photography that EVERYONE was bringing their cameras - I wouldn't be the only soul trying to snap images!
A woman went around with a clipboard, taking names. Ulp - no, I hadn't signed up in advance; were we supposed to have done so? I never had to sign up in advance before. Yes, but it was OK, there was still room. But it'll be $89, please. I beg your pardon? for a bird walk?!?!? I've never had to pay before! I'm starting to panic. I got up before dawn. I'd been looking forward to this bird walk for months - my chance to learn to ID spring warblers! But they want money? How many lessons on sheep could I purchase for this? They explain no, it isn't a bird walk, it's a lesson in bird photography. Oh, well, I'm here, OK, I'll pay it - I bet they have a ton that they can teach me!
It wasn't until it was far too late for me to back out that I realized that (a) the bird walk group I'd been intending to meet had met elsewhere and by this point was long gone; (b) the "bird photography" class wasn't heading on a bird walk - rather, they were photographing captive birds of prey. By that point I was committed, it was too late, the money was gone. Chalk it up to my brain not functioning well so early in the morning.
I might have had the longest lens in the group. It made it difficult to capture decent images - there were always tons of people between me and the birds. Would I do it again? No. I will have to learn by experience, I guess.
So here you have it: an owl, but not one I'll add to my list for the year. The prop is a hollow log that they positioned the captive owl within.