Follow through is vital to catching great photos

I’m often asked how I get so many photos of wildlife doing something special, such as two birds dancing or a kingfisher diving for a fish and coming up with a delicious morsel. Like in baseball, it’s all about anticipation and follow through. In baseball you’re not done when the ball touches the bat, and in photography, that first strong photo doesn’t mean you’re done shooting a subject.

I do spend a lot of time waiting for something to happen. I wait for the sun to move the shadows, for birds to get into the perfect spot for the shot I envision and I wait for the birds to complete whatever action they may have started. If you don’t have patience, you may watch a perfect moment get away from you.

My photo of two birds dancing that was featured in the exhibit at the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature and that is included in my 2020 calendar, was actually part of a series of photos. It starts with a close-up of the male with the feathers up on his head, seemingly styled to attract a mate. The next photo is him bringing a fish to the female that caught his eye, then the dance begins, head to head and a foot in the air. While that’s the shot that is most popular, just like the male bird, I continued with the follow through and have a shot of him sealing the deal with the female bird, who he nests with for the rest of the season.

That series of shots tells a story. And that’s what makes photography interesting and allows your best work to stand out. This morning I watched an anhinga fishing for his breakfast. I know, I know, fishing shows don’t always have a lot of action. You have to be patient, but patient tends to pay off. I saw the anhinga come up with his breakfast and then toss it in the air, before he swallowed it. That was the shot I was hoping for, but I knew I wasn’t done. I stuck with him as he tried to catch the fish. This time it was a throw and a miss! The one that got away. He was one unhappy anhinga, but I walked away with a satisfying story.

The snowbirds are back and it's beautiful

In case you hadn’t noticed the snowbirds are back. I know you have probably experienced an uptick in traffic. And if you shop for groceries on a Saturday, certainly you have pushed through the clogged aisles and maybe even had to hunt for a grocery cart. But I’m not here to remind you of life’s little irritations. I’m here to tell you the snowbirds are back and it’s beautiful.

I witnessed a traffic jam of epic proportions this morning as dozens of White Pelicans all tried to land at the grocery store known as the pond at Robinson Preserve. Seeing those elegant birds glide above the Preserve, drop down and lower their big feet like landing gear, and then ski across the water is something to behold. I could stand for hours watching — and taking photos of this wonderful phenomena. It was an amazing sight and it reminded me to be grateful for all of those who visit Florida for a week or for a season. This is the time of year that brings variety — whether in the people or the wildlife and sometimes there’s the combination of both. And yes, sometimes it tests our patience, but more often it brings wonderful opportunities.

I love the variety of birds that come in this time of year. I enjoy trying to identify the different ducks by their plumage. I relish the mix of colors, roseate spoonbills and yellow-crowned herons mixed in with the White Pelicans, with their black-tipped wings. I am thrilled with the different scenes across Florida. And the human snowbirds mean it’s the season for all sorts of activities. The restaurants are livelier, there are festivals and celebrations of all types, there is a variety of music as bands are playing throughout the region and there are parties everywhere. You certainly can’t claim boredom this time of year.

I have developed lasting friendships with a few photographers and birders who visit Florida during the season. I learn something from all of these seasonal residents and I enjoy their company here and even online when they are at their summer homes. I’ll even say something like, “I wish JoAnne (the most knowledgeable birder I know) was here to tell me about this bird I’m looking at.” So yes, I miss the snowbirds when they head north. And that means today, I greeted the snowbirds with a wide smile and my best lens.

There is Always Something to See

I recently spent a morning with my friend and fellow photographer Steve Nelson. After debating several options for places to photograph, we settled on Robinson Preserve in Manatee County, Florida. We figured it was pretty reliable and we only had a couple of hours in the morning to allow Steve to try out his new video equipment and for me to get some nature shots.

When we arrived at the preserve we were greeted by a frustrated photographer who told us there was nothing out there that day. We decided to give it a try anyway: Here’s what we found.

My best advice to fellow photographers is to not get discouraged if you don’t see what you came out looking for. There is always something out there to see. Sometimes you just have to change your perspective. When I don’t see wildlife, I look at the landscape. Sometimes I look up, sometimes I get low to the ground. The world is an amazing place and there is always something there that others might not see. Sometimes they’re just not looking for what someone else might find fascinating.