Praise the light! A nature photographer’s prayer

Photography: n. from the Greek, writing with light. I majored in the classics in college, and I’m familiar with the roots of many common words in the English language.

Anyone who is halfway serious about photography knows that good light makes for good photos. Although it wasn’t quite the “golden hour” before sunset when I stopped at the Reed Bryan Farm early this evening, the light was warm and promising for photos.

I was thinking about that as I walked the trails, lamenting that few birds were out in the 5 o’clock hour. About two dozen barn swallows were swarming overhead, doing touch-and-go’s from the antenna strands on the last remaining pole in the Pole Farm complex. Half as many purple martins gathered in nearby trees, but none of those birds are particularly photogenic, especially when high above me.

I did have one decent subject to shoot. Eureka! A willow flycatcher was perched regally atop a slender branch amid the grasses off the main trail. Until I brought the images up on screen at home, I didn’t realize how magnificent the bird looked in the early evening light.

Because the light was ideal, the green grasses behind the bird formed a lush background, enhancing the photo.

The bird emitted no buzzy call to alert me to its presence, and I’m glad I was able to spot it. Even better, I captured a portrait that I’m happy to share with my readers, to whom I wish good lighting and good writing. 🦅