Watching For Details, Finding Surprises

I am often asked, especially at nature/wildlife photography programs, how I find the birds and animals I photograph. My answer… patience. With that patience I am also watching for details - something different, like a shape that is out of place.

Early this morning I paddled to a secluded area on the Wapsipinicon River where I waited and I watched. The easiest observations were birds that were flitting about in the trees in front of and above my canoe. When birds moved, they gave themselves away. Then I just need to be ready for the opportunity to press the shutter release on my Nikon. Trust me, that is not as easy as it sounds.

Today I had three avian observations and photographs due to bird movement. Those species are featured below.

My surprise for the morning came when I noticed an unusual shape on a spindly tree branch. I cannot explain why, but the bump on the branch was so obvious - as if it had a spotlight on it (it did not). I watched the bump, trying to figure out what it was. Then, as if on cue, a female ruby-throated hummingbird sat down in the bump. I had found an active hummingbird nest!

I was not looking for a hummingbird or a hummingbird nest. I was sitting very still, watching, waiting, and looking for things out-of-place. I was expecting to see warblers, or gnatcatchers, or vireos. My reward for my effort today was this active hummingbird nest!