Golden dawn light illuminates autumn fog drifting above marshland grasses in California’s Central Valley.
I went to this place to photograph birds – at least that was my excuse. In the past few years I have become quite passionate about photographing the migratory birds that may be found all over the Great Central Valley of California between late fall and early spring – geese, cranes, herons, ibises, and more. I think that once you hear the cries of these birds as thousands of them flock together on the ground or in water or, better yet, as they fly overhead, they get in your blood. In the fall I anticipate their return and watch for early signs. A few weeks ago we managed to find cranes further up the valley, and I knew that the geese wouldn’t be far behind – so this trip was, literally, a “wild goose chase.”
But the truth is a bit more involved. As much as I love the birds, I think that I’m at least as attracted to landscapes where they are found at this time of year, and to the weather conditions of this season. You might think that a bird photographer would want clear skies and bright light, but I look forward more to fog, clouds, and mist and other kinds of interesting atmosphere. In fact, at times it occurs to me that the birds may at least partially be my excuse for being in this landscape. On this morning I was expecting that it might be clear, so I was happy (strange photographer!) when I drove into thick fog a few miles from my destination. I arrived just before dawn as the sky was somewhere in that color range between blue and purple and pink..." (continued...)
Great mood! I haven't gotten into birding yet but I think that's something I want to get into as well. I have always found wildlife photos to be more interesting when the subject isn't shown in full bright mid day light. I like the mysterious or foggy or dim lit shots.
Thanks to each of you for viewing and commenting. Jason, there is so much that can be done with wildlife photography - it is more than just sharp photos of birds and so on. The best work in that genre goes well beyond that to create compelling and emotionally powerful depictions of the creatures in their environments and to suggest things about their lives that we might not otherwise see.
Dan
(I'm thinking a bit about such things this week as I just have begun my annual fall trips to California's Central Valley to photograph migratory birds and because a couple of days ago I had the good fortune to meet John Weller, the author of the beautiful new book, "The Last Ocean," which speaks passionately, in text and images, about Antarctica.)
A picture of grass, fog and light, barely in focus; I find myself drawn to this image. It illustrates the power of composition to play with the mind and evoke the artist's intent. Very fine.
Thanks David, "viczig," and "nma." I like that last comment especially, since for me it is often not about the specific place as much as whatever photograph can be made wherever I happen to find myself. Sometimes it is just what I was expect, other times what I might have hoped for, and perhaps more often simply what I discovered.
Although I knew that by being in this location at this time and season there would be many possibilities involving fog and light and so forth, I could not possibly have anticipated this specific image - and, in fact, it was only possible for a moment or two, and I had to respond quickly and intuitively to make the photograph as it changed and before it disappeared.
