A Summer Seasonal Review - Birding Wire

Using Labor Day as a turning point between summer and fall, it’s a good time to take note of all the rewards of your bird photography efforts during the warm weather months that provided a prime nesting period and an abundance of fledglings and adults as early migration began. Enjoy taking a second look at the photos you have taken during the past 3 months, and while you are at it, update your files as best you can at this turning point in the year. You may even want to copy a few of your edited photos into a “Summer Favorites” file, and think about what makes each one special to you.

A trusting Burrowing Owl permitted me to park near one of its favorite hunting perches; where I waited for an opportunity to photograph the owl in action - such as when it flew back to land on the perch after a hunting flight (July 1; 550mm zoom lens, f-8 aperture, 1/2000 shutter speed, 800 ISO).

If you are really excited about a few photos, do what I enjoy doing periodically: Share an email with 6 or 8 of your favorite fotos with friends and associates to keep in touch – or share your selection on the social media pages of your choice. Write a short, upbeat note and a wish for a great fall season for everyone too – it’s a great way to touch base periodically.

By spending a little extra time in the company of a trusting female Hooded Merganser, it was possible to get a calming photo of her in the company of her large brood of 9 ducklings, then stay on alert for a momentary chance take an action photo with more of a zoom magnification (June 18; 220mm and 420mm zoom lens, f-11 aperture, 1/800 and 1/1000 shutter speed, 800 ISO).

With that suggestion in mind, I followed through and did my own review of summer bird photos, but I am sharing my Summer Favorites here with you, complete with some information about each photo in the associated caption. It has been an exceptional summer for bird photography, and I would like to think that I get a little better at photographing birds and bird activities each year – and hope you feel the same way about your bird photography. At the same time, each season’s photographs adds up to build your annual photo file, as well as a lifetime file of photos for future use and reference.

Hummingbird photography is easier than many birders imagine, although they are so fast, it is best to photograph them where they are feeding, at flowers or at a feeder (August 19; 600mm zoom lens, f-8 aperture, 1/2000 shutter speed, 800 ISO).

It is also an excellent time to think about the months ahead and do a little planning about what birds we have missed during past Septembers and Octobers – the peak period of fall migration. It’s also time to consider what birding trips you would like to take that would emphasize bird photography along the way, or at a single destination. Will you be staying in-state, branching out to neighboring states, or flying cross-country to take in a birding festival with a special guided field trip for bird photography?

By mid-August, this young Bald Eagle was on its own and flying gracefully (August 13; 600mm zoom lens, f-8 aperture, 1/2000 shutter speed, 800 ISO).

At the same time, don’t underestimate the opportunities you can try to create in your own yard, or at a nearby park, nature center, or refuge. It’s a great time to recalibrate your bird photography aspirations to a higher level; and often that’s just a matter of dedicating more time to be outdoors with your camera in hand – Good Luck!

My summer review wouldn't be complete without a Common Loon photograph, and the look of the growing downy loon in the company of the adult female provided a sweet ending for this week's Bird Photography feature (June 25; 600mm zoom lens, f-10 aperture, 1/640 shutter speed, 800 ISO).

Article and Photographs by Paul Konrad

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