Bad weather=Good Photos!

[brewmaster15]

Light is everything with Photography. Light affects so many parameters when taking a picture.Generally the more light the better, but not always. I was reminded of that this past week. I had planned a short photo trip on a day that was supposed to be partly sunny. I packed up my gear and got to my location only to find the Park had not gotten the memo! Being seaside it can have its own weather and that day " partly sunny "was mostly cloudy and drizzles. I debated going home. I can hike about in the rain, I will not melt, and the camera gear I had includes a pentax camera and Lens with excellent moisture seals. Still its a hassle and then I have to dry everything out. What to do.? I drove around and saw a flock of Horned Larks. These are arctic birds that winter along the coastline here. They are smallish birds that torment me each year. Being Grassland/tundra birds they like the open fields. The lighting is always harsh, and its always windy, and they rarely stop moving. Each year I shoot hundreds and hundreds of pics and if I am lucky a few will actually be worth keeping.

I decided to spend some time pursuing these difficult critters from the car. Lens out the window even if raining I can easily do. I was patient and probably spent a few hours driving around the field slowly to get close enough. It gave me time to really study the birds.

My results that day really surprised me. Best shots I ever managed of Horned Lark.

Horned lark (Eremophila alpestris) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Shaking off the Rain by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Horned lark (Eremophila alpestris) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Feathers spread by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Horned lark (Eremophila alpestris) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Horned lark (Eremophila alpestris) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr


Horned lark (Eremophila alpestris) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr


Horned lark (Eremophila alpestris) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr



Horned lark (Eremophila alpestris) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Horned lark (Eremophila alpestris) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

I've taken alot of pics in the rain and overcast days, its great for plant and flower pics but birds move and it helps when theres light to stop action. This time it worked well for these birds.They were slower moving, there was little breeze, and no harsh light. Just goes to show you bad weather can make for good pictures!

al

[LizStreithorst]

They're all excellent shots, as always, but that 6th is killer. Now I see why they're called "horned" larks.

[brewmaster15]

They're all excellent shots, as always, but that 6th is killer. Now I see why they're called "horned" larks.

Thanks Liz! The males get even more developed as the breeding season approaches..

lark.jpg

[Second Hand Pat]

These are great Al and what a gorgeous little bird. It almost seemed you were at ground level with these guys. Thanks goodness for long lens
Pat

[brewmaster15]

These are great Al and what a gorgeous little bird. It almost seemed you were at ground level with these guys. Thanks goodness for long lens
Pat

Thanks Pat. I had the luck of their being a sloping Hill they were on.. It helped getting me more close to eye level.

al

[Discus Fever]

As always those are some great pictures Al, I like the one where the bird is looking straight at the lens.