Lately, I’ve become obsessed with photographing different species of birds.
It’s a major departure from my longtime passion for sports photography.
Earlier this year, I found myself looking up more often, paying attention to the birds chirping overhead and flying from tree to tree. Some scanned the horizon from lofty perches, while others hunted patiently before swooping down to catch a meal.
Before long, birdwatching became something I couldn’t ignore. Now, it’s a habit I can’t shake. I always keep a camera nearby, ready to press the shutter whenever an opportunity presents itself.
Eagles are my favourite birds to photograph. I’ve already taken countless photos of these majestic birds of prey, yet I still want more. I’m constantly searching for ways to improve the quality of my shots, so I don’t mind spending hours watching and photographing eagles in flight, hunting, fighting, or perched high on a rock or branch. They are simply mesmerizing.
I’m still far from being an expert in bird photography. I’m learning every day.
Along the way, I’ve picked up a few valuable lessons that have helped me.
Patience sits at the top of that list. Birds won’t always appear when you want them to. Wildlife photography is often a waiting game. I experienced this recently while trying to photograph a belted kingfisher near the French Creek waterfront. I have been wanting to capture a photo of this bird and have been frequenting the area with not much success. Then one day, it happened.
When I arrived, the area seemed almost deserted. A few ducks drifted nearby, but they weren’t what I had come for. So I waited. For nearly half an hour, I simply observed the activity around me.
Just as I was about to leave, I spotted the kingfisher. Excitement rushed through me as I quickly raised my camera. The bird was still too far away, so I carefully tried to move closer while waiting for it to fly or make a move.
After several minutes, it suddenly dove into the water. As it soared back up, it flew toward a nearby railing close to where I stood. That was the moment I had been waiting for. I captured the kingfisher diving into the water, emerging with a tiny fish in its beak, and even twirling its catch before swallowing it. Patience is indeed a virtue.
Another lesson I’ve learned is to always make sure my camera battery is fully charged and that I have enough space on my memory card. More than once, I’ve checked my gear too late and discovered my battery was dead or my memory card was full just as the perfect opportunity appeared. I’ve also learned the importance of checking my camera settings — ISO, aperture, shutter speed and everything else that can make or break a photo. It’s a lot to think about, but preparation makes all the difference when you’re out in the field.
Of course, luck also plays a role. Sometimes, wildlife photography rewards you with a once-in-a-lifetime moment. I remember one day while photographing an eagle’s nest when something suddenly caught my attention. I looked up and saw an eagle flying by. Instinct took over and I swung my camera around, firing off shots as quickly as I could. What I captured was extraordinary — an eagle soaring through the sky with a rabbit dangling from its talons. It wasn’t the clearest shot but it was a rare sight, and even rarer to photograph. That day, luck was definitely on my side.
There are many other things I continue to learn, such as studying bird behaviour and understanding why they perch in certain locations or how they prepare to strike at prey.
Somewhere along the way, I’ve gone completely cuckoo over bird photography. I look forward to capturing more bird moments and sharing them with others who can appreciate the beauty of the birds around us.
Michael Briones is a longtime reporter/photographer for the PQB News