We were blessed with snow earlier this week (and more coming this weekend), 7″ at the office and with the cold temps, it has actually stuck. That’s great for lots of reasons, the biggest is bird photography. Snow brings many opportunities starting with making our bird baths the place to be! With free water frozen, our heated bird baths get hit harder than our feeders. But our feeders are busy as well as the switch in characters continues with the change of the season. The best thing about snow as far as I’m concerned though is, it’s a natural reflector. The flashes are for the most part retired because the snow reflects light so nicely, the light is naturally filled in. It’s a beautiful thing!
The Red-shafted Flicker (above) is a “kid” that is not even a year old yet. Its parents who have been coming to our feeders since they were kids brought him and he’s not left. So unlike even his parents, he is not shy and sticks no matter what we do. And the Common Raven, that’s Sharon’s pet we call Edgar. He’s a character! Sharon’s been feeding him dead squirrels, mice and other delicious things. He follows her around the property waiting for the next hand out. Both of this photos are being kissed with reflected light from snow which creates the unique lighting. I’m shooting with the D4s / 800mm rather than the 300PF to eliminate the snow that is bouncing the light, needing that narrow angle of view so you just see only the subjects. Since snow is not flat but curved, the light it bounces is to some extent directional and that’s why it’s unique. Edgar, the light brings out some of the iridescence in his feathers which I really love. The best part is, the light is never the same as snow comes and goes providing continual new opportunities. mtc