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Mocking Bird Enjoying a Pomegranate
Mocking bird enjoying a pomegranate. Joshua Tree, California January 2016 13x14 [0053]
Mocking bird enjoying a pomegranate. Joshua Tree, California January 2016 13x14 [0053]
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Jan, 2016Views
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Awards
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Magnificent Capture
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
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Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken during the summer in a small town -- Joshua Tree, California -- located in the Mojave Desert.Time
The photo was taken in the late afternoon when the Mojave Desert starts to cool down just a wee bit in the Summer's heat. The cooling brings the birds out of "Siesta". As I was trying to capture Scrub Jay's in flight, I decided to put a left over pomegranate outside on a log to see how the birds would react to it.Lighting
The summer lighting in the Mojave Desert is BRIGHT BRIGHT BRIGHT. This makes it perfect to capture birds in flight, especially hummingbirds. The bright light enables the camera to use a lower ISO and higher shutter speed. Perfect to capture wildlife behavior.Equipment
I almost always use a tripod. It allows me to hold a long lens in one position and change the camera's settings with ease as the wildlife moves in and out of different lighting scenarios. The camera was a Nikon D7200 with a 200-500 f/5/6 lens set at: 1/2000 sec f/6.3 and ISO of 800. Additionally I have a backpack on with water, extra batteries and SD cards.Inspiration
As I was trying to capture Scrub Jay's in flight, I decided to put a left over pomegranate outside on a log to see how the birds would react to it. The Mockingbird's reaction was priceless. I couldn't resist trying to capture the Mockingbird's reaction to the pomegranate.Editing
I did a little bit of post processing int Light Room and Photoshop to bring out the color of the pomegranate and tone down the highlights a bit.In my camera bag
I usually have a macro lens and my 70 to 300 when my long lens is on. It allows me to capture just about anything I see. Additionally I carry water and more water, extra batteries and SD cards, sun screen and a phone. Additionally I always let someone know where I'm at and what time I expect to return.Feedback
The Mojave Desert is full of wildlife. It's important to start hydrated as the heat can be brutal. While the golden hour is spectacular in the Mojave the BRIGHT afternoon light provides ample opportunity to capture movement with a lower ISO. But, no matter where you are photographing research the area and wildlife behavior and be prepared... stop, look and listen frequently. Once you have selected a place or area to photograph it is important to sit still and wait. It a true test of the saying "Patience is a virtue". Most of all love what your doing and take a photo that relays the moment you see to your audience.
