Yes, perhaps you have seen it here first, and the mystery is now revealed. The question that has lingered in your mind, the answer always elusive. I am here to spill the answer. Below is one of the most commonly taken bird photographs (or something very similar), amateurs and professionals alike. I’ll bet there are enough of these images taken by bird photographers to circle the globe a few times over.
For every bird photograph you have ever seen, there are at least 10-20 (or more) like this one that you haven’t! Like most wildlife photography, bird photography is no different in requiring perseverance and patience. And despite being in a very ‘birdy’ location, and having some control over the setting and their behavior, there are no guarantees.
I think there are some aspects of bird photography that perhaps some people underestimate – the amount of reflexes, hand-eye-camera coordination, and the need to stay in practice. Words I haven’t followed myself lately. So my diversion from rocks to birds today found me a bit rusty. I particularly admire those that routinely get really good flight photographs. A bird on a stick is one thing, but in flight – an entirely different game.
But even the rusty folk get lucky on a few. I won’t reveal exactly how many were deleted from today’s shoot, but I think you have a pretty big hint. 
white-breasted nuthatch photos, black-capped chickadee photos
You’re talking about shots like this?
http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/photo307736.htm
ha! Exactly! And with the drunken,wobbly flight pattern puffins have, I am surprised you got that much in the frame!
Haha – so funny – therefore I have the deepest respect for the professional wild animal photographers – because I KNOW how much patience, skills and last but not least luck is involved!!!
I always wonder again how quick those birdies can fly (although the eye is always deceived) and how slooooooow the hand with the camera can be! I think “anticipating” is the secret of the day here…
It’s so nice to hear someone of your ability can find birds in flight a bit of a challenge. I’ve been trying to get some decent images of the Canada Geese in my area and it is proving to be harder than I once imagined. If I get the speed right, the DOF is wrong. If I get the speed AND the DOF right, I miss the exposure. ARGH!!! I’ve managed to get a couple of decent ones but, like you, refuse to disclose how many went into the trash bucket to get them.
Your persistence paid off Mark!
Bird photos are so common that I forget how difficult they are to capture in a photo, but birds can be really tough! Great job.
Yea!!! It seems the prettier they come the more skittish! Great subject.
Birds! Can hardly wait to photograph them – just got new telephoto and they will finally be in reach. Thanks for the bird post.
Hi Mark, great fun post which definitely brings a smile to the day! I think it is interesting and good to see the outtakes sometimes, so thanks for sharing!
So true! LOL
Bird photography is quite a challenge. When you nail a great in flight shot though it is such a great high.
Hey Thomas – I think outtakes are definitely of interest. Heck, they put them on DVD’s for movies, so why don’t photographers do them more often! That old saying of ‘show only your best’ is overrated!
To all – Thank you for the comments, glad you enjoyed this one. I’ll be sure to post more bloopers!
Hey Mark – thanks for stopping by and visiting my blog.
This post surely made me laugh hard! Maybe we should all start a whole new trend – instead of posting all those amazing images, start posting all the “bloopers”. Then there might be in inkling of how hard it truly is to get it right. You nailed the lower image…but I think I like the “Fleeing Nuthatch” image. Too funny.
I could probably fill a small hard drive with “ones that got away”. Flying birds? Fuhgettaboutit! I bow before those who can handle it well.
I hate birds…
I have been trying all winter and I would probably be better off trying to marry a supermodel or dunk a basketball
Ugh, sorry to hear that Bernie. That’s one thing about birds, it really helps to have some place they are particularly acclimated to people, or at least have some food incentive. Otherwise it can be frustrating to no end!
But no worry, because there is a new movement started for bird blooper shots!
Expect high demand…
How true. I’m still hoping for that artistic take-off blur to come together, though I haven’t gotten anything I really like.
Really pretty nuthatch shot. I love the orange background against the bird’s blue gray feathers.
Hi Mark, I just discovered your blog and your wonderful, informative website! I am very gratified to hear about the bird photos from such an accomplished photographer! The only other MORE frustrating to me is trying to get a good butterfly shot! Delete, delete, delete!
Thank you Janice. I know one of the keys to butterfly photography is to go out early in the mornings when it is cold, and possibly dew out. They are harder to find, because they are usually tucked away somewhere. But at least they are still, and the light is good.
The first image isn’t that bad! My main problem is keeping myself and the camera still, rather than the bird….