There is no subject that gets the photographic motor running like birds. Birds have been the most popular subject for many of my best photography buddies over the years.

Below we have a sampling of our feathered friends. At least primarily so. They came from two old folders so I just took what was there rather than searching through my files. Nothing like a lazy photographer eh?

Water and birds go together in photography whether the birds are actually waterfowl or not.

Bald Eagles are not waterfowl, but in many ways they are water birds. They love to fish, although they will kill land animals and other birds, including non water birds, as well.

This pair, one mature and one not, argued and chased for a long time along this river. I do not remember either one actually catching a fish and it seems their aerial wars were about who owned what territory rather than give me that fish.

Of course, a great combination of water and bird, is waterfowl.

This female Northern Shoveler cast a beautiful reflection as she swam along peacefully.

I pan my camera as to evenly match the swimming speed of my subjects. Years of high speed car racing photography helped me to develop my panning skills.

Water casts reflections of the sky and waterside objects and that can provide for gorgeous images. Remember, everything in your picture frame can be important, either because of the story of what is being reflected, or because of the powerful mood that is added to the image.

This male Common Goldeneye was doing a courtship dance for a pretty lady. I am not sure, but if he succeeded I would likely have images to prove it.

Try again another day.

Waterfowl of course, are not always in the water. They fly of course, and they also walk upon the earth.

Do not shy away from dramatic light. Variety is the spice of life and there is no rule that says a simple swan (or other bird) photo cannot be unusual. This bird photo is the epitome of purposefully used contrast, High contrast. White bird and black featureless shadows. Notice however there is still texture on the bird via some sidelight. In other words, it does not appear to be a cardboard cutout. In the digital darkroom, I brought back a little light in its bill.

There are no laws that say when you are out after one subject, that you cannot make images of another.

This small sailboat and crew seemed to strike a nice pose for me. I panned and shot.

The seasons can mean a lot as far as what birds you find where and in what plumage, and what they are doing. That does not mean that when a powerful vision pops up that precludes your intended subject from being used, that you cannot take what you find and use that instead.

A simple rock surrounded by water which is reflecting some fall Maple trees, is a subject in and of itself.

There are in fact, photography subjects everywhere we look. Of course sometimes we just get lucky.

With those thoughts, let us close today with a totally different subject albeit water based, with a view of Turquoise Lake Colorado.

Nature proves that God does fine work.

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In the Old Testament of the Bible, there was a character named Rayhab. She was labeled Rayhab the Harlot. She was a prostitute. A low life.

When the Lord needed somebody of faith, she was the only one who came through.

God used Rayhab and her bloodline for King David. That same bloodline, is in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. From a prostitute because she had faith.

When my times comes, I pray that I will meet her.

You see it isn’t that good people go to Heaven and bad people to hell, saved people go to Heaven and the unsaved go to Hell.

We have all fallen short of the Glory of God.

John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

God Bless,
Wayne