Starring through the D4s / 800mm at the Red-breasted Sapsucker, I’m looking for those images aren’t the basic “perched” shot. This means looking for and picking up on the biology that might just make for the uncommon shot from the common. That is the main reason I’m shooting with the D4s.
I use a camera that shoots 11fps a lot to make up for my “day dreaming.” Often, I get so involved in what I’m seeing I forget to push the button. Then when reality hits and I do hit the button, the 11fps makes up for the “day dream lag” I suffer from. And in order, often to catch that uncommon moment, you need that rapid burst of frames. I offer up these three images as examples of what I’m rambling on about. The top photo, the sapsucker is looking at a Red-breasted Flicker that landed in the adjacent tree. The middle image, it’s watching Stellar Jays raising a ruckus about whatever it is jays talk about. And the bottom photo ….
it’s the one I like the best. Not that it’s a killer image, but I didn’t have a “wing stretch” photo of a Red-breasted Sapsucker in my files. Another photo I was really pleased to get but you don’t see it here, is that of the sapsucker fertilizing the meadow. Didn’t have that photo either but now I do. Coming up with these photos started with the subject, then the gear and the most important ingredient, the time to watch. Now crossing the fingers that he sticks around the next couple of weeks until the Apsens turn yellow. Another uncommon possibility for a common shot.