Various Birdwatchers

[NorthernFocus]

I rarely shoot people. Once in a while opportunities present themselves. These were shot a couple of years ago at the Cordova (Alaska) Shorebird Festival.

1) Contemplation



2) Wonder



3) Oblivion? Dude... look down. Actually I chatted a good bit with this guy who had flown out from NY,NY. He did so every year. He was after some very specific shots. When I saw this scene with the birds all around him it struck me as funny.



4) Motherhood, Mom and son just enjoying the day. This lady is one of the few people that has ever contacted me afterward when I've offered to send them a photo. She contacted me afterward and asked if I would do a family shoot. I referred her to another tog I know who shoots weddings, senior photos, etc.

[John 2]

That's a nice series Dan. The tog from NY certainly comes prepared. I don't think I could enjoy carting that lot around even if I could afford to own it. What are the birds? We don't usually see birds that are comfortable to be near people quite like that except perhaps feeding pigeons. BTW, I take it that you are now established in your new home?

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for the comments, guys.

...I don't think I could enjoy carting that lot around.... What are the birds? We don't usually see birds that are comfortable to be near people quite like that... BTW, I take it that you are now established in your new home?

That guy was shooting a 600mm which at the time was the biggest lens Nikon made. I've rented one and it is a beast to haul around.

The birds were various versions of sandpiper with a few additional shore birds mixed in. An estimated 8 million of them pass through that location in the spring on their way north to breed. They've flown in from as far as Central America and are pretty hungry. So they are uncharacteristically tolerant. If you sit still they will feed up to within inches of you.

Yes we're all moved into our new digs.

[madcrow]

Nice series, they tell a story and tell it well. Best of luck in your new digs.

[DEAN01]

Very nice series, Dan. Maybe you should shoot people more often.

[bnnrcn]

Very nice set Dan

[Bobobird]

Very nice set.
I do like that lady's headgear. Wonder what it is??

[Mike Buckley]

Fun series! Not being a birder, I would have never known without your narrative that the out of focus objects in image #3 are birds.

[NorthernFocus]

Glad you guys enjoyed the post.

... Maybe you should shoot people more often.

Now you've done it, Dean. NSA will report us and we'll both be on the watchlist. Guess I'll find out next week when I go through airport security

...I do like that lady's headgear. Wonder what it is??

I assume you're referring to the lady walking with the kid? It never occurred to me before but it does look odd. Look more closely you'll see she has her glasses on top of her hat and is looking down.

[IzzieK]

Good set, Dan...Dead is right -- you should try to shoot more people (with a camera that is...) These are great ones. Love the composition of the first one.

The hat of the lady you are inquiring is beanie on top of a baseball hat. I think it is the latter. I do this most of the time in winter when I cannot find my earpiece.

[rpcrowe]

Great series!

At first, I thought that the well equipped photographer in #3 was carrying a second tripod and thought that a bit strange. Suddenly, I realized that he was carrying a tripod chair. I carry one of these quite often because I am getting old and sitting down is easier than kneeling. However, he is also wearing knee pads so I guess that kneeling is not a great problem for him as it is for me

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for commenting, guys.

Izzie, ideally there aren't many people around when I'm shooting wildlife. Situations like that shorebird festival are rare for me.

Richard, that guy was kitted out to the nines. I have no idea what he came away with in the way of images. When I talked to him it was the first day and there weren't any birds around. So we had a bit of time to chat. If I recall he was a dentist from NYC.