Jim Child Photography

I read this quote last night while reading:

“Patience is not simply the ability to wait – it’s how we behave while we’re waiting.” Joyce Meyer

Today I got out the gear and went photo hunting.  I find that all my worldly worries and problems disappear  when I watch and photograph animals and birds.  All critters big and small!  Today was no exception.  The Great Blue Heron is a very, very patient hunter.  Many professional photographers tease about about how easy the Heron is to photograph because they are so prevalent.  I find that they are not easy to capture in pixels.  In most cases when approaching the Heron they will fly off.  I sat for at least an hour waiting for a Heron to come out of hiding.  He was behind a large area of reeds.   While waiting I took the big lens off and photographed a frog just down the slope from me.  There were frogs everywhere.  They must  be like rabbits.  Multiplying like crazy!

 Have you ever thought about what life would be like if you were a Blue Heron?  Eat, preen and sleep.  The objectives of the day.  Not sure if they really worry about predators?   Lately I wish I could be a subject (bird or animal) without stress, worries and drama!  Anymore life is so much about instant gratification.  The phones we carry never let us take a break from life.  We get messages, texts and calls all times of the night and day.  It’s crazy!!!!!   Herons are lucky the don’t carry iPhones.  Pretty much have no worries.  Maybe they are incapable of worrying.   A beautiful bird the Blue Heron is…..

 They don’t pay taxes, don’t have alarm clocks, and surely don’t have the internet.  Pretty lucky birds those Heron’s!  The are masters of catching fish……..

Yummy ……..a live fish or something resembling a fish!

My first shots with my new D4s.  I have had the camera for a couple of months but could not  shoot until today.  It’s an incredible machine.  WOW!!!

I played a little with this shot.  Ran through Silver Efex Pro2 – High Key then erased back the stretching Avocet in the center of the shot.

For more than 1o years my short travels have been at the Farmington Bay Bird Refuge. Only once I have witnessed and photographed the American Bittern.

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 This winter day I saw my first.  The American Bittern has a very long migratory range.  This stop had to have been to dine.  To fuel up.  The first sighting of a fish he was off in a big hurray…

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Wikipedia states; “The American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) is protected under the United States Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.  It is also protected under the CanadianMigratory Birds Convention Act of 1994.”  To see the whole description of the Wikipedia page on the American Bittern check here.

This guy quickly attempted to grab the first fish he saw.

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This guy was pretty fast. Especially considering that the water was rushing by.  Caught by the tail!!

The idea is to get the whole fish in his mouth and swallow whole.  On several attempts he would drop then re-grab the fish.

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As of late it seems that some birds have it pretty good.  As long as man could look up he wanted to fly.  I wish I could fly.  Not by jumping out of a perfectly good plane!  Or a backwards leap off a bridge or cliff.  I’m talking about wings spread and gliding.  The only sound is the wind over my wings.  Looking down at the Gods other creations.

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I don’t want to sound like I don’t appreciate all my blessings.  I really do.  In my youth I would dream that I could fly.  My dreams for the most part are in full color and seem real.  Upon waking from a dream where I was flying I would try to go back to sleep.  Back to “that” world”.

Many birds are absolutely beautiful.

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And some just are elegant beyond belief.

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As with all species there is family, pairs, companions, and just buddies.

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If all my beliefs, and teachings fail me when I die and there is reincarnation… I want to be a bird!!!!