You know, being a wildlife photographer is tough enough without Mother Nature throwing in a curveball. I thought that I had the perfect setup for the Wood Ducks that I was trying to photograph in flight. (famous last words!) Click the photos to enlarge
Everything was working out exactly as planned. I had done my homework, so I knew where the birds were, where they were going, and I got there an hour before daylight. I wanted to make sure I was set up well before the birds began flying in. I knew where the sun would be coming up, where the wind was coming from so I knew how the birds would come in and take off. I was set well before daylight, which gives me a chance to enjoy a cup of coffee before the world begins to wake up.
The birds came in before daylight, when all you can see is a shadowy silhouette in the sky and a splash on the water. If they land close enough you can hear their wings whirring as they pass overhead. I couldn’t wait for the sun to come up!
As the black and white of night began to fade into the muted colors of early morning, I began to realize that I was in trouble. What I couldn’t see in the darkness was this heavy blanket of fog working its way down the wetland, right towards me! Now I had checked the weather forecast just before I left the house and there was a chance of patchy fog to the East of me. This was the biggest “patch” of fog I had ever seen, and it was riding the thermals right down the hill to the wetland where I was setup.
Go time!
So I did the only thing I could do and that was to hunker down and hope that the birds stuck around long enough for the “patchy” fog to maybe clear a little. The problem was that there is a small walking trail about 60 yards to the right of the birds in the pic above. I knew sooner or later someone would be walking down that trail, right towards the birds and scare them into flight. In fact, I was counting on it. I would be ready when the birds took off, and I would have a good shot angle.
He took off with breakfast in his mouth!
But it just wasn’t to be. The fog just settled in and wouldn’t budge. Eventually someone came down the trail, scared the birds, and I was able to get these shots. They’re fine for Facebook shots, but I had to do so much to them in post-processing that I don’t think they would print very well.
Let’s give the ladies their props too!
As you would guess, I was pretty disappointed. But then I realized I had no reason to be disappointed. I was where I love to be, on a beautiful Fall morning, photographing the most beautiful birds in the world! I’m just grateful to be alive to see this.
As for the birds? Eh, I’ll get ‘em next time……