2020. Finally has arrived. Little did I know what this year would turn into. Would not have guessed I would be spending 2 months on unemployment and staying safe at home. A little setback in the grand design of my photography, but I’d rather not take chances.
Back in January I was heading out to my new favorite spot at a wildlife management forest. I had been here a few times with mixed success, but this time I had found a specific area for viewing wildlife. A wetlands that actually has a shack set up as a viewing area. Now unfortunately I am over 6 feet tall and this building is definitely made to make sure little kids can see. So the bench that is built right at the window is pretty cramped for me. I’m right up against the wall so I take extra care not to bump into it and make noise. But when I’m sitting there the window is around chest height. So I have to lean and bend over a lot to get down for the viewfinder.
That being said, great spot still. I’ve been back several times since then and found a few different spots besides the shack that I can shoot from.
The first day I went was late for me, almost noon. But it was entirely clouds that day, and cold. I remember being very cold. But it was worth it to get a shot of a new bird for me.
Canon 7D Mark II w/300mm + 1.4x - 1/500 Sec - F4 - ISO 200
The Hooded Merganser. Now that’s a looker.
That was unfortunately it for that trip to the forest. I didn’t last too long in the cold, needed to get some thermals to wear. I did stop on my way back home to grab a bite to eat in the car as I looked around google maps for more areas to visit. As I pulled into a parking spot I did NOT expect to see these.
Canon 7D Mark II w/300mm + 1.4x - 1/800 Sec - F4 - ISO 100
Gulls? And not at the sea? What is this?
I learned a good bit that day when I went home to identify and research. They’re not all seagulls, and parking lots are a great place for them to scavenge food, big wide open area that they can keep an eye out for predators. Plus people will often feed them french fries or bits of food. Which isn’t good for them, stop it.
Canon 7D Mark II w/300mm + 1.4x - 1/800 Sec - F4 - ISO 100
Canon 7D Mark II w/300mm + 1.4x - 1/800 Sec - F4 - ISO 100
Canon 7D Mark II w/300mm + 1.4x - 1/800 Sec - F4- ISO 100
Overall not a bad day. Something new and something to learn, pretty happy with it.