It's important to understand and appreciate "the other guy's" technnical acumen. How often have you thought ... I can do that! Working in the software field for years, it's sometime too easy to not grant enough credit to what your peers or competitors have accomplished!
On to the "Headless Downey Woodpecker" story, and you'll understand what I am talking about. Ever since I was a little boy I have enjoyed watching birds, and can name more birds by sight or sound than most people, other than true "birders". For my birthday a few weeks ago, my wife less me pick out my own gift. I chose a Canon SX30 Powershot Camera. This camera edges me into the world of advanced phtography. While not a digital SLR camera, it's close.
Thus, I decided to become John James Audubon. Two weeks ago I started hiking through the leftover snow in the northwoods. My goal was to take some wildlife photography of birds. After chasing many birds through the woods, my only photo was of the dreaded headless downy woodpecker (see below ... click to expand).
My realization ... there is a good reason wildlife photographers spend hours building blinds, and then wait days if not weeks for the local residents (birds and animals) to grow accustomed to the new part of the landscape. The idea ... let the animals and birds come to you ... have the camera set up and waiting. After all, birds move fast through a 360 degree spectrum.
I now have a good bird feeding station outside (deer proof!), and I'm starting to get better photos. Enjoy some new efforts which include two decent photos of Blue Jays, but also include the Headless Junco and Tailless Tree Sparrow. Craig Blacklock has nothing to fear from me at this time! He is a well know nature photographer in the Lake Superior region, and I now have a much greater appreciation for his work!
Click upon any image to view full sized!
First the headless Junco and tailless Tree Sparrow ...
And my Blue Jays during a light snow shower!
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