Thinking about all the bird photos that weren’t meant to be
This post is a tribute to all the photos I meant to take, the ones that got away, the ones I thought I actually captured – because those might be some of the best images that I imagined i could translate onto canvas. What I managed to capture are images of the feeder swaying after a take off. Bird rumps and tail shots. Blurry birds and fuzzy feathers. Innumerable bad shots.
The ever elusive blue jay. I’ve missed the blue wonder countless times, and with every miss I had to laugh a little more. I mean what else could I do? I uploaded 101 new shots with anticipation. Photos of what I thought would be blue jays taking peanuts from a feeder. I strategically placed the feeder in a special location thinking it would allow for me to take clear shots. While I’ll admit I now have numerous photos of my bird feeder – that was never the plan. Would make for boring paintings. So I deleted over 80 – yes 80 of the photos I had taken.
This was more of a comedy shoot that played out over a couple of days.
I’ll keep trying as I love the way the blue jays are up there with crows at catching my attention. There’s something about their look—their vibrant blues and whites, the sharp crest, and that knowing, sometimes mischievous eye. And don’t get me started on their voice. Even without a photo, I can almost hear their unmistakable call, that sharp call ringing through the sky as they announce their arrival.I’ve watched them swoop down, flashing that electric blue colour as they fly only to disappear in a flash of blue, leaving me scrambling with my camera.
Blue jays (and Kingfishers) are a reminder that moments in nature are often completely on their own terms. When I’m lucky enough to actually spot one, I humbly know there’s no guarantee I’ll be fast enough to focus and shoot.
Maybe it’s the challenge itself that keeps me at it, fingers crossed, camera ready, hoping that someday, one of those bright-blue beauties will sit still, just long enough. I’m pretty determined to add more potential material to my stash of “one day soon” photos to use as references for paintings.
But even if they don’t, every missed shot still feels like a brush with nature—and that’s kind of half the point, isn’t it?
Cheers until next time