Mobile Photography - "You have 5 seconds to shoot."

Since I started my photography journey, the destination of our trips have mostly been based on photography opportunities. However, I am reluctant to call them photography trips for two reasons: If it is a road trip, my shots were mostly taken from our moving vehicle. If we go on a tour, the results are either quick snaps or shots through the window of a moving tour bus. I take lots of pictures, but they are just random snap shots. I brought my tripod, but shameful to admit that I did not even get them out of the trunk.

When I don’t control the driving gear myself, I am in the mercy of my chauffeur (also the boss in our household). He is nice enough to say, “just tell me whenever you want me to stop”. If there are no cars behind us and a viewpoint is available, I may get 5-10 minutes to look around before I framed a shot. Otherwise, “you have 5 seconds to shoot”.  Making a 2000 mile road trip with 5 major destinations within 5 days, time is of the essence. If we stop whenever I found something worth a snap, we won’t never make it to all planned destinations. Besides, perpetual car traffic on freeways make constant stops a challenge.

I make sure that my camera strap is on my neck and I hold the camera as steady as I can in case the wind blew my camera out of the car. The vehicle was moving between 70-75 mph. Wind blew mercilessly whenever I opened the window. Sometimes, I did not remember the window was closed...

Little house in the prairie? It ain't little.

California has persistent drought issues. Brown color and sage brush are what I expected to see. But this trip has just about to change my perspective. Lack of lofty trees and massive forest, California is not short of green hills and beautiful landscapes, at least, in this time of the year.  Oregon has more sporadic farms and in a smaller scale. California has vast farmland and the operation is more industrialized.

Green California

I did not mean to, but I have often instinctively bragged about the nature beauty in Oregon. In fact California has the charm of its own. The outlook seems to be more sophisticated and established. However, there is one thing that California cannot make it up to Oregon: the coast and beaches.  We drove on highway 1 from S. California to bay area with expectations to discover some scenic spots. But I barely got my camera out of the car...

Hearst Castle at dusk

My last visit to Hearst Castle in San Simeon was more than 25 years ago. The only scene has always in my mind is that piercing blue water in Neptune Pool, the white Roman columns and the mountains surrounded. Unfortunately, the pool is now under construction to fix some leaking problem and the project will take a year to finish. I was so bombed!!!  I was also disappointed in the visitation policy. To see the place, you have to go with the tour, no individual exploration is allowed. How would I take pictures without doing some exploration at my own pace and choose the spots to my own likings?  Taking random pictures as the tour guides lead you to is no better than snapping in a tour bus or a moving personal vehicle.

Tropical Charm

I quickly snapped this shot as the group walking up the stairs with the tour guide. The tiny section of the exterior is as such, can you imagine what the interior looks like?  The castle is gorgeous and outstanding, but we are not allowed to explore the place on our own. I love to spend hours and days in that place to take pictures, but how? PS. I have snapped some interior pictures, I will share in my blogs.

Flash snap from freeway

Lake Shasta is gorgeous from distance. We tried to cruise the lake via a boat years ago, but it was a disappointment. Something looks great under microscope and some can only be appreciated far away.
I am leaning my life lesson here not to take the same measure on everything and under all circumstances.

Mount Shasta

I have never tired of shooting Mount Hood in Oregon and Mount Shasta in California. Their close-to-perfect cone and sculptured top often reminds me of the scarcity of our Nature that God has created. Mountain top seems to always leads me to God Almighty for some reason.

Thousands of birds

Last and never the least, Birds. I cannot identify the geese I am seeing here, but there are many thousands of them at Tule Lake wildlife refuge. I cannot identify the species. There are ducks and geese everywhere in Oregon, but I cannot say that I ever saw them before. They do know where to find their habitat. Wildlife refuges are usually located in the most natural environment. That is one of the reasons why I enjoyed being there.

All the images above are taken from our moving car or when I was following the tour guide. Just to give you a quick rundown, I did not edit the images much other than adjusting exposure.

Secret of Desire

Whenever my little wish came true, I thought about secret of desire. I thought about this bible verse, “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4).  Secret is God has granted our desire, deserved or un-deserved. If we insist to come up a logical explanation, I think, when we desire something, we think about it, pay more attention to it, put out extra efforts in it and bingo, wish becomes truth.

Earlier this summer we were waiting for the weather to clear up before we headed out to Klamath Falls Lake and Tule Lake wildlife area. It was our third trip. Learned from last two experiences, we knew we have to be there earlier than June. The articles I read and friend’s suggestion are all pointing at Feb-March, but we were just not enthusiastic enough to make the trip in the freezing weather. Came April, a volunteer spot needed to be filled, and I could not help but to jump in. By the time when my duty was fulfilled, we were late again this year.

I booked us to lodge at Running Y Ranch earlier and thought, if we don’t shoot anything, we would at least have a nice and relaxing weekend overlooking a beautiful golf course. Sooner when I walked into the room, I heard him yell "Check this out!" There are two pictures hanging on the wall, one shows Grebe's matting ritual dance and the other a close-up of Bald Eagle, exactly the shots that we came here for. Even since Steve witnessed the dance last year, he has been longing for the shot.

Pelican group attack (grebe in watch)

pelican's fishing net

There were still quite a few birds around, such as ducks, geese, terns, pelicans, grebes, egrets, herons, avocets, stilts, downy woodpeckers, ibis and bald eagles. Lots of grebes on water, but we did not dare our luck to see the dance right at the moment. We are just occasional wildlife hobbyist.

Pelicans meanwhile surprised us with their fishing show. Usually we spotted one or two egrets by water bank and this time, there were at least 15 or 20. They followed pelican’s trail and fishing along. Both are large birds and it is fun to watch their march, it is comical. I also had my first experience watching pelicans swallow multiple fish in one attempt and consume them gradually after that.

Grebes, avocets, bald eagles are our favorites, but we have shot them a few times. I do have a wish list of birds that I hope to capture some images at the refuge. I looked for them whenever I was out shooting birds, but they were either not around or ran too fast to reach.

I ran into Cedar Waxwing two years ago and shot a few from distance, not completely satisfied. They

Cedar Waxwing

Pheasant

are such gorgeous looking birds, but I have not seen them since. We spotted Pheasants couple times at the refuges, but I have not been able to 'pull the trigger' before they disappeared. California Quails are quite common and they are around in the neighborhood, too. They have a curving crest or called plume droops to the front,  made of six feathers, black for male and brown for female.  I often saw them in distance.  When mother sensed the threat of human existence, she would stand in a higher ground and assure all her babies were safely retreated before she took off herself. I like them because of their unique appearance and beautiful feather.

California Quail

Pictures of the month posted on the entrance of the refuge are Bald eagle and Barred Owls. Other than those seen at raptor center, I have only seen owl once by John Day River and I have been longing to see more.

Great Horn Owl

We were walking on a secluded path outside the golf course early in the evening. Somehow I instinctively turned my head to the left and I saw this Great Horned Owl standing on a tree stump, still. At first I thought it was a wood carving, then, I kind of feeling it moved. I zoomed in my lens and saw its back. At that point, I was sure it is a live creature. Its body color has no difference from the tree behind. I did not know why I suddenly turned my head. And, while I was suspicious, the owl turned its head. Otherwise, I would just walk away thinking it was just a piece of wood.

Completely unexpected, I ran into all of them in one day. Either outside the hotel room, on the walk path or inside the refuge. I did not use our longest lens and the zoomed images are not sharp, but they are my 'trophies' and most of all, I cannot believe that I saw all of them in this trip! I was too excited. I ran and I shot without giving much thought to the settings. I should have used our 500mm, but I did not want to carry the weight. I was given the opportunities, but I did not make my best effort. I reaped what I'd sowed. 

My bird shots are not good on the first day, I switched my attention to landscape. I seemed to hear a voice by my ear. "I know you like birds and flowers, but I have created so many beautiful things for you to enjoy, why only birds and flowers?" "This is a whole wild world, look away, look further and see." The voice sounded authoritative and I began to look around.

It was the moment before dawn. The helicopter had launched its routine spraying mission while all the sprinkles are demonstrating water choreography. A little chopper sound, a mild mist, a hazy sky and a load of peace and quietness have made this morning prelude.

Sun was up, bright sunray sparkles on water. A lonely ibis was standing on the bank. Its long and pointed beak and slender long legs seems to post an interesting silhouette for me. 

We spent a good day at the refuge. Mount Shasta was in the scene the whole time, but while my heart was occupied with birds, I did not even recognize its existence.

I think there is a reason why my bird shots are not too good. If they are good, I might not look away otherwise and discovered the gorgeous Mount Shasta, the layers of colors on the swamp, and the white reflection. 

Sometimes I was so occupied with small details, I overlooked the big picture. 

Better yet, when we came home, I found my favorite House Finch and Gold Finch (American Canary) were in our backyard singing the welcome home song...

I have not seen them since last year and I have been thinking of them. Other than Robin, House Finch and Gold Finch have the most crisp and pleasant voice. If they are around, my day is surely merry and my heart is light.

house finch, male

gold finch, male

How life can be better than this?!  I suddenly found my arm is too short to embrace them all. Just like a little child in front of load of birthday presents and not sure which one to open first.

I believe we are furnished to live a good life. We just need to hold on that key, lock and unlock it at right time and with right mind.

Love for Birds

Not sure since when I started to be interested in wild birds.  Throughout the years, I have used different kinds of birdfeeders to get them come close to my house.  I watched them and studied their different habits. One thing they all have in common is, their eyes are always concentrating on our movement. A reflection of our small move will catch their attention and chase them away.

Nuthatch

Anna's Hummingbird

At the beginning, I usually have my telephoto lens ready on tripod pointed at the feeder.  In a little while, I feel birds on feeder is kind of boring unless I catch an action shot before their landing or when they are taking off.  I am a busy bee and I don’t have a lot of patience sitting around to wait for the moment.  Wildlife photography needs patience, patience and patience. Taking bird pictures is training my patience.

Camera has to be ready at all times because birds come and go and they don’t stay long enough for us to be ready. Believe or not, I found prettier birds are more shy and sensitive than the ordinary ones.  Maybe they have been trained by us and come to be aware that they are our targets. Most of the large birds also react quickly  because they need a bit more time to get away due to their weight, I think.

It is easier to take water fowl pictures particularly if they are inhabitants. Willamette Valley has vast areas of greens that provide wonderful habitats for birds. We see more migrated birds stayed here for winter instead of flying thousand miles south. Herons, Egrets, Bald Eagles and of course ducks and geese are commonly seen here.

Mrs. Woodduck

In animal kingdom, male usually looks more striking than female, but I think she is quite attractive, too.

Not until I got serious about bird photography, I did not know that my husband is also very interested in birds.  Our exploration to wildlife refugees began last year, not only in Oregon and Washington, we even made a special trip to Sorroco, New Mexico for Crane Festival where about sixty thousands birds were staying there during our visit. Flying Out and Flying In events are very cool. Flocks of cranes would gather together before dawn and take off to the ocean as sun rises. The scene was pretty spectacular.  Then, dusk came and they flew back in groups.  We so often saw them flying above us and made loud calls.

Fly Out

Fly In

Another fond memory we have is going to Klamath Falls wildlife refuge. There were literally water birds everywhere on both sides of the road. My husband and I would take turns to drive and the other person would step up on passenger’s seat and used sunroof to support our 400mm telephoto. We cheered, and reminded each other to quiet down whenever we came across our target. This safari adventure lasted for the entire day, at least 8 hours. That evening when we were out to celebrate our day, we could not even hold the forks. We were aching all over and pleasantly tired.

Great Egret

Killdeer

My blog is a photography blog. I am not an expert, but I do love to explore and I learn as I go. I am sharing my personal experience in case you also like birds. Not necessary for photography, many birders simply enjoy watching birds and don’t take any pictures.  Wildlife refuges are usually in a large area with absolutely natural environments. It is also a good place to hike if you like to be in the nature.