Beauty All Around Us

A few years ago when I picked up the camera in earnest birds became frequent subjects of mine. Frequent mostly on account of their abundance and easy access. After some years and occasional success capturing the beauty, diversity and glory, I came to realize that birds are, simply put an often overlooked gift to us from God that the camera lens allows a lucky photographer to capture.

On occasion, the photographer gets exceedingly lucky and captures a moment when the light is right that the human eye would not have been otherwise capable of seeing. Sometimes the aid of a telephoto lens, the speed of the camera and the seeming cooperation of the bird its self come into play. As I have struggled with a chronic pain condition that has limited my mobility in some ways and the activities that I pursue in others, sometimes sitting with the camera waiting waiting for my avian friends is a welcome distraction.

The number of species that visits my yard and feeders has been surprising. Each one expressing themselves differently, with their own pecking order and way of doing things. And, the camera uncovers these secrets so much more effective than my eyes.

Now and again, the beautiful and statuesque can be comical and less than graceful. Once again, a little luck, the right equipment and some persistence and you find yourself with a couple of laughs at the bird’s expense.

I encourage anyone reading to pick up a camera, look around you, pay attention to the feathery creatures we share space with and see what beauty you can capture! We live in the digital age. The worst that can happen is you waste a bit of time, a delete a few images. There is beauty everywhere.