Light from Cloud Gaps
February 5th, 2022
I regularly check the website weather.com. During the week it lets me know when there are going to be possible gaps in clouds and rain this time of year. It isn’t always correct but it provides a guide of possible opportunities for bird photography. There was a gap of two hours which I decided to explore.
As I was driving to the bird area, I saw some blue gaps between the clouds. This is a good sign for good light. It doesn’t always mean it will be where I am going. For example sometimes it is awful light on the way but beautiful light in the bird location.
The wind churned up the water a bit and had the unusual affect of drawing the birds around different part of the bay. The bird like to shelter in the center of the bay but the food is nearer to the platform where I was shooting which offers less sheltered. It was interesting observing the bird venturing out and then going back to the sheltered area.
I got several flight shots of several birds. The pied bill grebes kept venturing out and then flying back allowing me to get my first shot of one of them in flight.
The common merganser spent a lot of time going back and forth in front of the platform. I was surprised by several grooming behaviors which were awesome to see. I did see one of the birds catch a fish but too far away to capture.
The bald eagle flight was a surprise. Hours of no activity and then out of the blue this bald eagle flew across the area. Towards the end the bird was right above me and I wasn’t able to shoot anymore.
