Radar/Satellite Imagery December 15, 2019, 8:55 a.m.
When I woke up yesterday morning at 3:50 a.m. the radar/satellite imagery showed clouds all over northern Utah and given the bad case of cabin fever I have it was pretty disappointing to see all of those clouds. But I noticed that the clouds looked thinner further north so I decided to check the hourly forecast for Brigham City and saw that it said “partly cloudy” until after 10 a.m..
I was very tempted to head north because it feels like it has been a long, long time since I was actually out in the field with the birds, listening to the quiet, feeling the peacefulness that nature provides, and shutting out the news of our country and the world.
But I didn’t pack up my gear to go, instead I let negative thoughts keep me home.
Traffic cam – Northern Utah – 8:49 a.m.
By 8:49 a.m. the light looked beautiful up north on the traffic cams and I berated myself for not listening to my instincts, for not packing up my gear and heading to the birds and the good light.
Later in the day my friend and fellow bird photographer April Olson, who comments here frequently posted some of the lovely photos she took at Bear River MBR yesterday morning on Facebook and I felt like kicking myself in the butt for not heading up there. Repeatedly. Hard.
I might have taken some wonderful photos of birds in nice light yesterday if I had only listened to my instincts and gone out to look for birds.
Barn Owl in flight over the flats at Farmington Bay – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
As a bird photographer I am always looking for good light, light that makes the birds in my photographs look great, healthy and alive. Light that makes their feathers and colors glow. Light that makes their eyes shine.
Female Short-eared Owl on a foggy, snowy morning – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/800, ISO 500, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited
But yesterday morning I forgot that some of the images in my portfolio that are among my all time favorites were taken in low light, foggy, or snowy conditions and that those photos have a mood to them that images of birds taken in better light just don’t have.
So if I had gone up north and the light hadn’t gotten as good as it did I still might have taken some wonderful photos of birds yesterday.
Lesson learned. I’ll listen more carefully to my instincts and push away those negative thoughts.
Life is good.
Mia
Ah, the demon Hindsight. It afflicts us all. I love your narrative, though. The pics you posted are terrific and I’m looking forward to the coming days when your instincts lead you back into the wild. Thanks Mia.
Don’t kick yourself too hard. The light was only good from 8-9ish. It was not very birdy. What birds that were there were very jumpy. The bald eagles were fabulous but back lit! I did not even try to photograph them….. However all that said it was beautiful and wonderful to be out. I had the best laugh watching the pheasants slip and fall on the ice. I hope you went out this morning.
I absolutely love the owl photo!
Wowzers on both!
I’m good at kicking myself over those “what ifs” and not as good at remembering there will be more opportunities. Hopefully, you’re better at the latter than I. 🙂
Echoing Marty.
We all live with “Ifs” Mia. IF you had gone out, we wouldn’t have had this delightful posting with your exquisite images.
Owl photos are spectacular
Oh, my! The second photo is stunning.
Both owl photos are outstanding!