I was going through my images that I’ve taken this year, and in particular my bird photography folder. It wasn’t long before I realized that this year has been so busy that I really haven’t birded nearly enough. “I need to fix that” I tell myself and vowed I get out a little more to spend time with our feathered friends.
Finding some time today, I went to my favorite place for hummingbirds and spent a little time watching them dining on some Obedient plants. While the hummers buzzed around, I spent time with some friends at the refuge, and enjoyed the nice morning. I wasn’t able to spend too much time there as the horses needed my attention. So off to the barn I went.
After visiting the horses, on my home I stopped by Swan Creek Wetlands to see if I can find a few more rare birds that were reported there this past week. This is a great place for birding, not so much for bird photography. Knowing this, I brought along my walkabout Olympus kit and wandered down the path to see what I could found.
Parts of the wetlands had cracked mud and a Lesser yellowlegs was grooming along the edge. I’ve been working on a collection of images that I’ve titled Nature’s Hidden which shows wildlife well blended into their environment. It’s with great thanks to Art Wolf for this idea from his work known as Vanishing Act. Seeing the bird along the shoreline with cracked earth certainly spoke to me.
I reached the next part of the wetlands and saw some Great blue herons off in the distance. Well hidden in their environment.
It was lovely to get back out to nature, slowing down and seeing the little things. Even then though, as a nature photographer I have to always be on the ready. As always, while heading out of the refuge, something pops up unexpectedly. Like the Yellow-billed Cuckoo that I’ve heard there but have never seen. Or the Red Admiral butterfly that kept eluding me at Swan Creek. A butterfly that I rarely see.
So far, I am enjoying the Olympus kit, although when photographing the hummingbirds, I found some images the focus wasn’t what I would like to see, and if a crop is needed, a loss of detail is seen. Overall though, I think it’s a keeper and much better performing and easier to carry and handle than the Tamron 150-600mm G2 was like.
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
Glorious captures!
Thank you so much Joanne
It is interesting to see what you can do with the Olympus. I think as I get older and less able to carry heavy gear, this would be a great compromise.
So far I’m happy with it. Took some pics this morning with it on the boat, so will post them shortly.
Such beautiful moments you captured, I can feel the peace of nature through them. We are having to say goodbye to old maple this weekend, she has been our good friend. Her absence will allow sun into the yard and I would love to create a hummingbird and butterfly haven. Your pictures inspire me to focus on the positives that can come from change. Wishing you many more moments of slowing down this fall.
Trees have souls and I can only imagine how sad you are to lose your old maple. But safety is more important though.
I did pick up a native plant list for pollinators. I’ll dig it out and post some of the plants they suggest for us.
Thank you Emily. She is an old soul, the keeper of many memories. I spent time with her yesterday and this morning. The waiting is the hardest part.
I’m really drawn to the image of the yellowlegs on the cracking mud. What great pattern!
This is so wonderful to hear. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and glad to know the image worked!