I’ve discovered a new place to sit for my bird watching and photography. It gives me a new view or perspective. Notice I’m looking up at the Gila Woodpecker on our fence, rather than taking the photo at eye level.
Here’s another photo I took where I’m almost level with a chipmunk — ground level so to speak.
Our house came with a sunken pool bar. I feel like I’m sitting in a bird blind, like hunters use to take their shots. Armed with my camera, it feels good to sit. Standing, I have a lot more motion taking photos. Sitting helps me get rid of motion blur. It also gives time for birds to get used to me and for me to be patient for some good shots.
My husband glanced out the window and thought I was sitting on a bar stool in the pool! He wondered what the heck I was doing to get a photo of Red.
No, I was comfortably sitting in one of these chairs, across the pool from my Bird Buddy feeder and where the birds come through the fence into our yard.
Isn’t it interesting how a new point of view or perspective changes your outlook?
Here are a couple photos I took this weekend, in my “bird blind.”
I was so excited with this photo that I went online to order a print. This is the first time I felt my photos were worthy enough to be hung on a wall. Next, is my second photo to be framed. Yes, it’s of Red, which I took last week.
Here are more photos taken from my new perspective:
Here’s Mrs. Red. I didn’t get good ones of Red this weekend, but the wife’s turned out well. I may have to get a print of the second Mrs. photo, too.
Here’s a Starling I caught next to a saguaro on the Bird Buddy feeder.
I spent most of my weekend getting the house ready for three guests who will be with us for a week. They are entered in the National Freshwater Spear Fishing competition in a lake nearby. Two of them were here a few weeks ago, scouting the lake for the competition. Our first guest arrived Saturday — after we were asleep — and left for the lake before we got up. What a perfect guest!
What were highlights of your weekend?
What do you think of my new perspective for photography and bird watching?
I get the movement thing EA. I have a hard time taking pics on my phone if I want to focus in on one thing, like a flower, so I think whatever helps you is good!
That’s it. Also, I’m sitting under a pergola most of me hidden a bit away from the birds.They don’t seem to notice me. If I stand out in the bright sunlight, they see all me and fly away.
I like the new perspective- and what a lesson for life! Sometimes looking at something from a new direction can change a whole lot.
Yes. It can change our outlook to view something from a different angle or perspective. 💕
There’s nothing like discovering a new photography perspective. Nice shots!
Thank you. What’s really helpful is I’m sitting down and the wildlife doesn’t see all of me, but only my arms, shoulders and my head are visible to them — plus I’m in the shade. They don’t seem to notice or care that I’m there.
I love that you have your very own Bird Blind! Your photos are so lovely and a new perspective just makes everything more fun, right?
That is the perfect guest–in and out without a peep!
I had a lovely weekend with a friend who is visiting; beach, pool, movies, leisure time. All good stuff.
Your weekend sounds perfect. That’s exactly what I’d like to do and will in August on vacation. I love that I discovered my bird blind. I sit close to the birds, but they don’t seem to notice me! Most of me is hidden behind the bar and I’m in the shade. I saw my guest for dinner last night and he brought me a ton of salmon and lobster that he caught and froze! He insists we enjoy it ourselves and not cook it for them this week.
Love new perspectives!! It’s great to see something in a new light. I saw a cool exhibit at Cooper Hewitt museum. Went to a birthday party at an enclosed rooftop bar. Just gorgeous. It was downtown Manhattan and the views were just tremendous
Here’s to new perspectives! I have never heard of the Cooper Hewitt museum before. I googled it and it looks fascinating. The rooftop bar sounds like an amazing place for a party.
Just perfect spot!!
👍🏼
Even the bathrooms had gorgeous views!!
Wow!
Love! And your quip about the ‘bird blind’ — the sunken pool bar made my morning. Hilarious…but look at what you’re doing from your own special spot? So good! 🥰
I’m so glad I thought about sitting down in the pool bar “bird blind.” The birds don’t register me as a human being while I’m mostly out of sight and in the shade!
🥰❤️🥰
🕊️🦅🕊️
I think your new pic of Red is my favorite. It’s so clear. Love the perspective of him being focused and everything else not. Love Mrs. Red too. She’s looking right at you. I suspect giving you an earful that you take all those pics of her husband and none of her. How dare you Elizabeth. ha, ha.
Thanks so much! I am really enjoying my new telephoto lens and my new digs to be below ground level to get a different perspective. Wouldn’t you know this week’s assignment deals with POV and to try taking pictures at a lower level than eye level! Of course, the photos I took over the weekend were before the assignment date, so I can’t use them! I think the Mrs. is taking over the show. You’re right, no more staying in the background for her.
Oh, something tells me your homegrown bird & nature preserve will provide plenty of fodder this week. Dress up in camo, throw in a little bird seed, and they’ll come right up to you. Ha, ha.
The bird seed does wonders! Amazing how that works.
You are so damn talented! You should create a coffee table book with your images and stories. I love that red bird, you’ve captured it beautifully. And brave you are, houseguests for a week! I’m looking forward to the stories. We had guests this weekend too but only a few nights, but they were with us all day, and that’s a lot of socializing. Hugs, C
Thanks, Cheryl! I’m getting some prints framed and I’m excited to see how they turn out. First time I’ve ever done that. I do enjoy guests and these are pretty easy. They were here a few weeks ago scouting out the lake for the National Spearfishing competition that is this Friday. I went all out cooking huge dinners every night. This time I told them I’ll cook a couple nights, but the rest of the time, they’re on their own.
Love this change of perspective, Elizabeth. These are great shots!
Thank you. I was so excited to see the ones that turned out 😊
These are great shots! Changing the angle can really change the whole feel of a scene. It’s amazing how much experimentation you can do without even leaving your yard.🙂
Thanks! I got my photography assignment this week and it’s on composition. We need to choose three aesthetics and one was changing the perspective! Funny, how I started doing that over the weekend. Yes, we have lots of different things to photograph around us.
Amazing photos Elizabeth. Your photography has improved a lot my friend.
Thank you. I have learned so much. I have through the first week of May remaining of my class. I’m interested to see what else we learn.
It was a wonderful idea to refresh your knowledge of photography. 👍🏼👏🏼👍🏼
Yes, I’m enjoying the process and results.
Awesome
Your new perspective is wonderful as evidenced by the photos you took. Well done. I think there’s a moral to this story. Adjust and do better?
Thanks! Or the moral is “hunker down?” My new perspective is at ground level. My photography assignment this week is to try three new composition techniques. On if POV, which I’ve got!
As usual, fabulous photos. You’re getting better and better.
Fabulous photos of the Mr. and Mrs.! How nice that you are able to observe without them seeing you.
It is such a fun place to sit. I spend a lot of time listening and watching birds. Then when the perfect shot arrives I can take it while sitting!
Your bird shots are great, Elizabeth, and I’m also intrigued by your yard. A sunken pool bar! Wow!
Thanks! The people who built the house lived here for 15 years before us. They went all out on the yard!
Great new perspective, Elizabeth, and stunning shots as always. I also love the idea of a sunken pool bar. 🙂
Thank you! Yes, the sunken pool bar is the perfect place to hide from the wildlife and take photos. We’ve actually only entertained their once!