Inspiring Photo: Birding #9618305

Birding

Uploaded: January 03, 2010

Description

-----------
My first...and possibly last early-morning birding expedition. Definitely an amazing hike through the muddiest, wettest, and slipperiest conditions you can imagine. The woods were full of temporary streams, and I had to be almost yanked across them by the more experienced among us. My boots were leaking, and I was convinced that I'd find leeches slurping when I finally pulled them off my cold, wet feet!
-----
The intrepid birders are seen here after cedar waxwings were spotted by the leader. Peace Valley Park in Doylestown, PA
----------
Raw format, Manual settings using Canon 100-400 f4.5L ISM at 100mm.
ISO:250, F7.1, 1/80s.

----------------

Exif: F Number: 7.1, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/80 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 250, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 100.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 5D

Comments

Aimee S. McMaster January 03, 2010

....poor Michelle..doesn't sound like it's for you; but did you get any shots if the birds??? lol...Aimee #1222505

Carolyn M. Fletcher January 03, 2010

That's where out cedar waxwings are! They are usually all over the place here, this time of year. Haven't seen many this year. #8265743

Gord MacEachern January 03, 2010

Perfect capture here Michelle, love how you captured all there concentration and concern! #8265765

Douglas Pignet January 03, 2010

Looks like you caught these bird peepers right on time...They do love their birds, nice capture. #8265769

Jeff Robinson January 03, 2010

Excellent capture and treatment Michelle!! There is a reason they they make "Long Lenses"... So you don't have to get stuck in the mud:) Jeff #8265776

Diane Pignet January 03, 2010

Good eye and great shot. Too funny. This shot gave Doug and I a chuckle Michelle, several years ago Doug and I were out and did not have large enough lense's with us to capture some snowey egrets....the shot was the birders who did. We didn't know that then...later we discussed how we missed the real shot...these folks....well done.

Diane #8265792

Nancyj E. Hovey January 03, 2010

Ha, what a wonderful experience (even with the mishaps...) ... we did a bird here for the Audubon Society 1/2/2010. (But most was from within the car or condo..lol) YOUR PHOTO is wonderful, and shows such wonderful comradery that 'birdwatchers' have with each other...and their Photography has some of the best! and...there YOU ARE, one of the best, my friend... 8o) Happy New Year! 8o) #8265844

Stefania Barbier January 03, 2010

great experience and capture! #8265882

Cassie L. Woodlee January 03, 2010

WOW now thats dedication. Yap we do what we must do to get the shot!! Girl I hope you don't get sick though getting your feet wet. This is a wonderful image Michelle!!! #8265912

Ron McEwan January 03, 2010

I don't know which I enjoyed the most. The photo or your experience. Kind of like my one and only night coon hunt. The more I look at your gallery Michelle the more I am tempted to try raw. #8265978

Kathleen Rinker January 03, 2010

Great shot Michelle!! #8265984

Candice C. Calhoun January 03, 2010

And people say WE are nuts to get out before dawn to shoot sunrises :) Gee, birding sounds like SOOOOO much fun...not! I adore both your photo and your description of the experience! Wonderful!

Happy New Year!

ccc #8266010

Deborah C. Lewinson January 03, 2010

Birders are great, Michelle, they get so excited about an Eagle in their scope, about 10 miles away, while my longest lens just picks up a dot. It's actually a great sport because it gets people out in nature; however, good photographs are rare.

Thanks for sharing your experience and this wonderful photo!

Happy New Year!
Debby #8266069

Mary Beth Aiello January 03, 2010

I'm just sticking to looking out the window for now, Michelle. Hurray for you for trying this out. I looks like fun, though. A wonderful capture. #8266097

Amanda J. Tanner January 03, 2010

Wonderful Capture Michael...did not sound like you enjoyed the venture of Birding! Did you capture any images of Birds? #8266115

Michelle Alton January 03, 2010

Did not get any that would be as good as my backyard shots. I couldn't even get them in my sites with binoculars! Laughing!
#8266141

Monnie Ryan January 03, 2010

You (and the others) have way more intestinal fortitude than I do, that's for sure! Early morning would be enough to keep me away, but standing around in muck hoping to see a bird would surely do me in! ;-) Neat capture of the group, though -- they do look enthusiastic! #8266159

MELODIE C. ROBERTS January 03, 2010

LMAO At Your story Mickey!!
Very Funny
Especially The part about the leaking Boots ;0)
Wonderfully Captured....I love how even though you missed the birds
You got the bird brains...JUST Kidding all you Birders out there ;0) #8266268

Jack Ryan January 03, 2010

I certainly don't dislike seeing interesting birds...as long as I have my camera handy and can get some good shots. I like this one of yours...no birds but a "flock" of interesting and interested "birders" in action. Great work...worth the efforts!!! #8266347

William C. Raco January 03, 2010

Very fine photo and narrative, Michelle
It's nice to see others' hobbies and interests. #8266482

Lorraine A. Cook January 03, 2010

Ahhhhhh....You can come to my home and watch Cleo all you want, Michelle<:))

P.S. Cleo is a dove<:))

No lobster here!(LOL)<:)) #8266733

Mitch Spence January 03, 2010

Ah, yes, birders are intrepid, indeed, and the outing does not sound like a great deal of fun. I suspect that waxwing was way too far away for a photo too. #8266743

Amy M. Wilson January 03, 2010

Great capture and I LOVE the commentary... too funny, Michelle! I'm with Mary Beth, I'll look at them through the window for now! Hope your feet are warm and leech free! lol #8266809

Hal Bambrick January 03, 2010

WOW!,Lotta trouble to get this Capture Michelle,You Did WELL!!!!!. #8266953

Ellen Hodges January 03, 2010

Wonderful and funny capture, Michelle! Birder's are a special lot that's for sure! #8266954

Patrick Rouzes January 03, 2010

Your description of your experiece is too funny, Michelle! Sounds like it was torture though- hope it all turned out well. NO bird photos but at least your have a pic of the crew to remind you the next time you get a yearning to go "on an early-morning birding expedition! LOL Thanks for the story & wonderful captrue, my friend! #8267396

Barbara Waldoch January 03, 2010

Terrific capture, Michelle! Especially as it took so much effort :-) #8267442

Tammy Espino January 03, 2010

Your story made me chuckle, your photo is fantastic!! I love getting up early and watching birds. I am not a "true" Birder as I don't really care what kind they are just as long as I can say "hawk" "Egret" Duck" LOL #8267563

Mike Clime January 03, 2010

Nice capture and a great story! I can just see you slogging along with water in your boots. #8267579

Avril Young January 03, 2010

wow!! excellent story telling capture Michelle...awesome treatment...
ha ha, I would have loved to have been on that walk, sounds like you had fun;) #8267660

Laura E. Swan January 03, 2010

Your descriptions are as great as your captures, Michelle. Oh dear! Better get out the cod liver oil. I hear a cold coming on!

Cold wet feet? Not good! Please stay warm!

You always stir our hearts!

-Laura #8267894

Brett Dolsen January 03, 2010

I needed a good laugh Michelle and you have provided it!!Some wonderfull recent work from you and love all your Christmas Portraits.
Brett #8268019

Reynaldo D. Reyes January 03, 2010

Great capture of these avid birders, love the graphic description of the experience which I'm sure will bring fond memories looking back. #8268095

Robert K. Bemus January 04, 2010

Does not sound like fun...but this did turn out to be a great shot!! #8268139

Renata Gusciora January 04, 2010

Fantastic capture ,treatments and great adventure and new experience,Michelle!:-) #8268158

Val Feldman January 04, 2010

I think I'm the only "nut" in this long group of BP'er's who commented! I'd love to do this - well, maybe not the wet boot part! :) Great commentary, as always, Michelle and a great capture of what an early morning rise with a group of dedicated birders looks like...I still say, despite the lack of comfort, a fantastic experience!
#8268948

Daniella Puente January 04, 2010

Must have a cool experience Michelle, and this is an interesting documentary photo! #8269829

Linda A. Braddock January 04, 2010

Michelle, Beautiful Capture of these birders. Sorry you didn't get the bird shot you wanted, but this photo is as good or better. Well Done! #8270444

Tommy E. Burgess January 04, 2010

Outstanding capture of this dedicated group Michelle!! #8270816

Joao Martinho January 05, 2010

While all of them were concentrated on their birds "eye hunting" you were not loosing your photographic momentum...each with its merits! #8271222

Agnes Fegan January 05, 2010

Your description really made me laugh...maybe it's time to hang a feeder in the back yard! #8271235

Nancyj E. Hovey January 05, 2010

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S
on your most deserving EFP! 8o) #8272962

Derek D. Dafoe January 14, 2010

Nice shot Michelle!! Never underestimate the value of a good set of insulated waterproof boots!! #8295856

Heather Pickard January 27, 2010

Hey Michelle, how I've ejoyed the intersting comments your photo of the birders has generated.
As an avid birder myself, and as a bird photographer, I have been both behind the lens and a subject of it while on just this sort of birding field trip. When I come home with mud on my shoes and pants I feel like I've really been somewhere, like on an adventure, and the muddy evidence proves it!
Like photography, birding is a skill, and like learning to master a camera, it takes some time to master binoculars and birding.
Your backyard may afford you more opportunites to get close photos of garden songbirds, and that's great, but to get good images of the more'juicy' species, a photographer needs to get out in the wilds.
Thanks for sharing your great image of 'Birders'. I have really enjoyed reading everyone's comments. #8335031

To discuss, first log in or sign up (buttons are at top center of page).

Get Constructive Critiques

Did You Know?

Discussions by Category: You can view photo discussions on various themes in the Community > Photo Discussions section of the site.

BetterPhoto Websites: If you see an orange website link directly under the photographer's name, it's totally okay. It's not spam. The reason: BetterPhoto is the one that offers these personal photography websites. We are supporting our clients with those links.

Unavailable EXIF: If there is no other information but 'Unavailable' in the EXIF (meaning no EXIF data exists with the photo), the 'Unavailable' blurb is not displayed. If there is any info, it shows. Many photos have the EXIF stripped out when people modify the image and resave it, before uploading.

The following truth is one of the core philosophies of BetterPhoto:

I hear, I forget.
I see, I remember.
I do, I understand.

You learn by doing. Take your next online photography class.

You &

Love It!

Copyright for this photo belongs solely to Michelle Alton.
Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer.
Log in to follow or message this photographer or report this photo.

My Profile

My Photo Shows

My Photos

My BetterPholio

My Messages

My Courses

Description

Comments

Get Constructive Critiques

Did You Know?