I walk by this tree often. It is located in the Loyalist Burial Grounds in Saint John. More often than not it is the chosen perch for many of the pigeons that live in Saint John. I refer to it as the pigeon tree.
The Pigeons wait patiently for a passer-by to drop a morsel of food. They are ever watchful and from this vantage point as they have a bird’s-eye view (sorry) of two of Saint John’s parks, the Loyalist Burial Grounds and Kings Square.
As any of you who are familiar with me know I am always traveling around with at least one camera at the ready. One never knows when the inspiration for a potential painting will present itself. And I have been known to paint pigeons.
Although no amount of preparation can have you ready for what a flock of birds will do next. And no point and shoot camera is responsive enough to be able to catch it (at least not in my hands).
I waited patiently for them to turn around so I could get the perfect shot. They turned alright, presenting me with their backsides! Then I waited patiently for the clouds to part and a ray of sun to spill into the tree to give me some photographic contrast. My hands were frozen but I was ready.
Then out of nowhere, someone dropped some bread to the ground in Kings Square. They entire flock took off overhead, wings beating loudly. I was so close and at first so excited to take photos of pigeons in flight directly overhead. I started snapping. They were so fast that I missed every one of them!
About the same time realized what birds have a tendency to do when they take off in flight like that. That is an interesting self-aware moment. Do I take the photos and risk getting splattered? Of course, it would have been too late by the time I completed the thought anyway. Lucky for me they missed. Unlucky for me I missed.
The beautiful entrance to the Loyalist Burial Grounds in Saint John, NB