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When I rise up
let me rise up joyful
like a bird.

When I fall
let me fall without regret
like a leaf.

— Wendell Berry, from “Prayers and Sayings of the Mad Farmer”

I was out early yesterday morning to see who else had risen with the sun. Of all the birds I saw—including quail, ducks, herons, and various songbirds—this little Savannah Sparrow was my favorite.

My first year of bird photography was all about filling the frame. After all, that’s something photography lets us do; using powerful lenses, we can get remarkably close to creatures that want to keep humans at a distance. And I do still like going for those sharp portraits.

But, inspired by some of the photographers I follow online, I want to use Year Two to (a) practice my fieldcraft, and (b) think more expansively and creatively about the use of light, foreground and background, and the wider context of the shot. I tried that with Monday’s picture of the Violet-green Swallows, though I don’t think it turned out very well. I like this attempt better.

Location: Marion County, Oregon

Date: May 11, 2021

Exposure: 1/250 second, f/6.3, ISO 640

Focal Length: 600 mm

Gear:

• Camera: Nikon D750

• Lens: Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary