So, we can go for walks in parks to get fresh air and exercise, right? And when we go for walks we take our cameras, right? So what I have found, thus far, is that getting photos hasn’t been horribly difficult since we got our ‘get out of jail’ cards. Okay, granted, there is a lot of brown and even more beige out there but some days are better than others.
BD often comes with me so he can get out of the house and stretch his legs a bit. Unfortunately, I think he’s finding that photography and exercise really isn’t a thing. Yes, we walk but I do make a lot of stops. Especially when I decide it’s time to take a walk through the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. We have been to quite a few parks that are too busy for our tastes… social distancing or not, some of the parks we have been to are so crowded that you cannot social distance. So…
Let me demonstrate why Inglewood was such a slow walk day for us the other day with the pics below…
I’m starting with this gorgeous Bohemian Waxwing. There was a small flock that kept relocating itself around the park. We ran into them twice. I have so many pictures but I will spare you and post only three… I’m nice like that AND I don’t want you to get too bored. There are a ton more pictures after the waxwing.You can tell they are Bohemian and not Cedar by their soft, velvety grey chest, the blush on their cheeks and the yellow hem of their dress. They also sport a shaggy crest up top.This one has just recently had a COVID-19 haircut
The next two images are of a Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker. He was the only one, but a very noisy little guy. I’m pretty sure he was looking for or calling his mates. BUT, as soon as he saw me he was scooting out of sight and moving higher up the tree. He would not fly for me unfortunately and I was being patient (BD was not though) so you do not get to see his magnificent yellow shafts. But there is a surprise for you and once you have seen it you can’t un-see it!
He’s looking at me looking at him (through a great big lens). I went in a bit tighter on this one…. look at those hearts! Aren’t they amazing! And beautiful! And perfect!!
The rest of the photos I got were in the pond, so water fowl. You just can’t miss when you go to Inglewood!
I could have watched this pair of Buffleheads for a lot longer… and possibly gotten some better pics too!Oh!! What’s that? Someone is paying attention to me???Hey!! Over here!! Look at me!!!A Hooded Merganser, trying to hide from the paparazzi I saw him though and snapped away, he was not impressed.An American Widgeon . As you can see the Hooded Merganser is still not happy with me (or possibly mad at the Widgeon for butting in on his limelight).I love how this Common Merganser is preening for his lady and she is ALL EYES! And, it would seem, very impressed!This is the lady he was preening for. She too has been working her own magic on her hair, something we have all had to deal with in these odd times, so no judgement from here.I think the cocktail hour is approaching. Everyone is moving towards the Lawg.A Wood Duck showing off his finest feathersParty time at the Floating Lawg. Wood Duck and Female Common Merganser saying their hellos.And last but certainly not least is the Female Barrow’s Golden Eye. I did not see any males or any other females around. But they were probably just out picking up party snacks.
8 comments
Lovely Susan. I close my eyes and can hear that Wigeon with it’s ‘whistling’ call. Thank you for sharing.
That was definitely a pleasant surprise. I did photograph it deliberately in some of the pics but it showed up in others that I never even noticed at the time.
I’ve given up trying to go for a photo walk (meaning I’m carrying a camera and looking for photos) with people who are not carrying a camera. One of us is just going to get frustrated. Why? If I’m seeing something I like, I might not move much as I figure out composition and all that stuff. It takes as long as it takes, and feeling rushed destroys the joy of it. Or, there’s nothing I want to shoot, and I’ll be walking fast looking for the next opportunity. Which might come abruptly. That makes it hard for someone to walk along. Mostly conversation is a distraction.
And I absolutely hate to hear “you should take a photo of that.” Makes me nuts. If I wanted a photo of that, I’d have taken it already.
Walking with other photographers is another thing entirely. The pauses and walking mostly average out. When I see another photographer working a scene I might have walked past, or doing something different than what I’d do, I get interested, especially if I know they are a better photographer. I often learn something.
I feel lucky then! BD never rushes me, he may wander up ahead and then come back. He never tells me what to photograph either. I hear ya about days when you don’t feel like there is anything to shoot. I get that a lot in the ‘not quite spring, winter’s not quite over’ time of year – sometimes it’s a mood thing for me though. This is all going to pass soon I hope, I’m itching to get out with our group!
Lovely Susan. I close my eyes and can hear that Wigeon with it’s ‘whistling’ call. Thank you for sharing.
We will go again together Fay!
Some nice reflections on these too!
That was definitely a pleasant surprise. I did photograph it deliberately in some of the pics but it showed up in others that I never even noticed at the time.
I’ve given up trying to go for a photo walk (meaning I’m carrying a camera and looking for photos) with people who are not carrying a camera. One of us is just going to get frustrated. Why? If I’m seeing something I like, I might not move much as I figure out composition and all that stuff. It takes as long as it takes, and feeling rushed destroys the joy of it. Or, there’s nothing I want to shoot, and I’ll be walking fast looking for the next opportunity. Which might come abruptly. That makes it hard for someone to walk along. Mostly conversation is a distraction.
And I absolutely hate to hear “you should take a photo of that.” Makes me nuts. If I wanted a photo of that, I’d have taken it already.
Walking with other photographers is another thing entirely. The pauses and walking mostly average out. When I see another photographer working a scene I might have walked past, or doing something different than what I’d do, I get interested, especially if I know they are a better photographer. I often learn something.
I feel lucky then! BD never rushes me, he may wander up ahead and then come back. He never tells me what to photograph either. I hear ya about days when you don’t feel like there is anything to shoot. I get that a lot in the ‘not quite spring, winter’s not quite over’ time of year – sometimes it’s a mood thing for me though. This is all going to pass soon I hope, I’m itching to get out with our group!
Love it. I felt like I was there with you.
It would be so much fun if I could take you there next time you are down!