2405_2339 Western Tanager
Lifer! I used to see these high in the forest canopy during my BC years, but there was never a photo op... until last month, here on the Saskatchewan prairie. We are at the easternmost extent of this species' migratory range, and one showed up at a friend's feeder. I received an early morning phone call, rushed over, and was able to shoot through an open window.
Lifers - by which I mean photo-lifers - are hard to come by these days. I've photographed most species that breed here or pass through in migration. Most days I'm out there trying to improve on earlier shots or capture some interesting behaviour. Once in a while, though, I get lucky; this is my second lifer of Spring 2024. Will there be a third? I am optimistic. And that comment leads to one of my favourite quotes:
"The reason for optimism lies in the biological fact that it keeps you happy and busy, whereas pessimism just leads to lying around and bitching."
- Robert Anton Wilson
I tried the latter many years ago and it didn't work, so I'll just stick with the former and ride it until my ride ends.
Photographed just outside village limits, in the Rural Municipality of Val Marie, Saskatchewan (Canada). Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission ©2024 James R. Page - all rights reserved.
2405_2339 Western Tanager
Lifer! I used to see these high in the forest canopy during my BC years, but there was never a photo op... until last month, here on the Saskatchewan prairie. We are at the easternmost extent of this species' migratory range, and one showed up at a friend's feeder. I received an early morning phone call, rushed over, and was able to shoot through an open window.
Lifers - by which I mean photo-lifers - are hard to come by these days. I've photographed most species that breed here or pass through in migration. Most days I'm out there trying to improve on earlier shots or capture some interesting behaviour. Once in a while, though, I get lucky; this is my second lifer of Spring 2024. Will there be a third? I am optimistic. And that comment leads to one of my favourite quotes:
"The reason for optimism lies in the biological fact that it keeps you happy and busy, whereas pessimism just leads to lying around and bitching."
- Robert Anton Wilson
I tried the latter many years ago and it didn't work, so I'll just stick with the former and ride it until my ride ends.
Photographed just outside village limits, in the Rural Municipality of Val Marie, Saskatchewan (Canada). Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission ©2024 James R. Page - all rights reserved.