Finally I am getting around to editing some of my wood duck images from my trip to Ohio. It was an amazing contrast in their tolerance of humans compared to around here in Michigan. Around my house, I am happy to get a wood duck shot within 30 feet – and that took some work. Most likely you would have to be in a blind spending many hours on an approach. They are incredibly skittish around here. Usually you can’t even get within 100 feet without spooking them. So it was quite strange to have them practically under foot or too close to focus on.
A lot of wildlife is fairly skittish around Michigan, with a few exceptions. Approachable wildlife hotspots typically become ‘paparazzi’ like as far as photographers being present. Sometimes that can be problematic depending on the attitudes and respect offered to the subjects and surroundings. I became one of the wood duck paparazzi on this particular day. I admit I am attracted by their striking appearance like most probably are. There are interesting parallels you could draw with those that chase celebrities. Only the ‘pretty’ ducks were being photographed. In fact one bystander actually commented while watching a group of 6 photographers intently snapping away at wood ducks that swam into the good light – “You almost feel sorry for the Mallards for not getting any attention..” It is not that mallards aren’t also attractive birds, but hey – when a wood duck is around, they become the starlets on the red carpet. The same thing happens for bears, elk, moose, eagles, and so on. Is there too much glamor in wildlife photography? Are we too quick to switch gears to the next pretty face?
I’ll take time with just about any wildlife because it is fairly rare to have such close encounters around here. However, the similarities to celebrity fascinations we often like to poke fun at are closer to home than we might care to admit.
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I stumbled across a couple of pretty good wildlife news blogs recently. They both seem to have very informative posts. If you are like me, you already have a lot of feeds you are subscribed to, but these two are worth considering adding a couple more!
From their about page: “Named after the Ute word for wolves, Sinapu is dedicated to the restoration and protection of native carnivores and their wild habitat in the Southern Rockies, and connected high plains and deserts.”. . I particularly like their category tag “Postcards from nutsville!”
A great blog on wolf news, recovery programs, and threats
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I spent a couple of hours today with this bird, first time I have ever seen this species – a red-throated loon. So where is the red-throat you say? Well, this bird is in its winter plumage, so no red throat this time of year. It it pretty rare to see a bird like this around here. Its breeding range is up in the northern parts of Canada and into the Arctic. However, my National Geo field guide indicates they are known to migrate through the Eastern Great Lakes. So lucky for me and the other birders that have been reporting its sighting. I had the bird to myself, most likely because of the 30 mph gusting winds, 31 deg F and occasional blizzard conditions today. Great spring weather.
Though the loon was often quite far away, a few times it would go on its diving missions. So I just sat myself down on the shoreline and watched. What amazed me was the amount of territory the loon covered underwater. It started probably 75-100 feet out or so, and popped up fairly close to the shore where I could get some closer shots. One time it popped up with a fish and the nearby seagulls immediately dive bombed the loon trying to snatch its catch, causing it to dive again. A few more shots of this red-throated loon are in my gallery.
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When I am driving to a spot before sunrise, or coming back from a hike – or simply out in the field waiting for something to happen – I get the munchies! I tend to eat a great number of Clif Bars – particularly the peanut butter kind. Healthy for you and pretty filling, easy to pack in a camera backpack or pocket. Recently I have been also buying LARABARS
They are made from 100% whole food, with no more than 6 total ingredients per flavor which they take a lot of pride in. I like their company philosophy, they even have a blog.
“Our company name comes from an ancient belief that food falls into two categories:
BECKONING FOODS
which beckon consumption again and again, sapping the body of energy without any real health benefits, Today, they’re called “junk foods.”HUMM FOODS
on the other hand, resonate with energy in a whole, natural state. When consumed, they cause you to feel vibrant and alive.”
With water of course, I could probably live off these things for a week in the wilderness.
I am just wondering what others bring along for snacks when out photographing, birding, or simply hiking in the woods. Please share!
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