Common Beauty in July Heat
It’s been hot this past couple of weeks. Dry too. I’ve made a few trips out, sometimes getting a few good shots, sometimes striking out completely. Last Sunday I returned to Camp Nelson National Monument and physically struggled in the unforgiving sun. I went in search of Bobolinks, which I found. Five Bobolinks were in the middle of a field, too far out to take any decent photos. I even tried calling them in, but they didn’t budge. I finally gave up and went home, hot and tired, with no photos. That’s how it’s been lately.
On Independence Day I went to my local park, Masterson Station. I walked a couple of miles, mostly looking for birds in the unmowed fields. There were a few blackbirds in the tall grass, but they were a bit skittish and would take flight if I got too close. The best shot I got was of this female with blue chicory blooms adding a nice contrast to the yellow background.
Red-winged Blackbird (female). Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens at f/6.3, 1/1000 sec, ISO 400.
It didn’t take long in the heat to get worn down, so I headed back to my camper van to cool off and get some water out of the fridge. That hit the spot. I decided to switch out the Z8 for the Z9, a camera I haven’t used in quite a while. It was heavier than I had remembered.
I made my way down to a fence line where I saw some birds flitting about. In addition to Common Grackles, Barn Swallows, American Robins, and Red-winged Blackbirds, I found four House Finches all perched on a wooden fence. As I approached, they all flew off except one, which appeared to be a young juvenile. I trained my 800mm lens on it while it fluffed up while preening. Then one of the adults flew over to a nearby dried up plant (I wish I knew the name), where it ate a few seeds. I took a few pictures of it too.
House Finch (juvenile). Nikon Z9 with Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR lens at f6.3, 1,2000 sec, ISO 2200.
House Finch. Nikon Z9 with Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR lens at f6.3, 1,1250 sec, ISO 1100.
I left the park feeling a bit deflated. Blackbirds and House Finches - really? Is it worth getting all tired, hot, and sweaty to photograph these common birds? In that moment, the answer was a definite “no.” But later that evening, my attitude changed. I started processing the photos and what I found was a beautiful color palate of pastel greens, yellows, and pinks. Additionally, the perches were also unique and appropriate for each bird species. While the subjects themselves were common birds, I found the photos to be beautiful.
So was it worth the hard work and sweat to take these photos? After seeing the photos, definitely. Is it harder to get out and make great bird photos in the middle of summer? You bet. Still, I go out every opportunity I can. But I do make adjustments for summer, such as:
My sunrise sessions are brief. I’m at the location at sunrise and I stay for about hour, leaving when the sun gets high and the shadows become harsh.
I watch the weather, preferring to go out after a storm. The birds seem to liven up after a good rain.
I don’t drive as far. I have no problem driving many miles for hours a day to photograph rare birds, but not for, well, blackbirds and finches.
I spend more time on eBird and browsing Facebook birding groups looking for a good target bird. They become harder to find in the summer.
I’ll photograph common birds, focusing less on the subject and more on composition and light. I can get some nice photos that way and its good practice.
So yes, birding and bird photography is different in the summer, just as it is in every season. But with a few adjustments, birding and bird photography can be very productive.
Happy birding!
