Early May is a great time to catch the migrating shorebirds as they fly up the coast from California, or the Pacific Flyway as it is called. Sanderlings, dunlins, and other assorted shorebirds pause for a couple of weeks at Bowerman Basin in Grays Harbor on the Olympic Peninsula. Boardwalks provide great access. When the tides are high, and there are no exposed mud flats, all the birds are densely packed together. It is quite the spectacle to see a million birds in a tight area. Also, if there happens to be a bird of prey near, they fly around in tight bundles turning in all directions with great precision. It looks like many bodies, but one brain operating them all. It is definitely worth a trip out to the coast if you are in the Pacific Northwest in those two weeks.
The Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival is May 4-6 this year:
Art had a great time with his workshop participants in South Africa. The seaside community of Arniston on the Western Cape was a superb location and now enjoys national monument status.
Also, he was able to get his first shots of the endangered African penguin. These penguins are also called Jackass because of their braying call.
I just finished my weekend workshop called “Composing Effective Images – Field Edition”. I love teaching and inspiring others. In the process of the workshop, I get inspired, too.
I just had to make one more trek up to the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary in British Columbia yesterday.
I know I am indulging a bit with the Snowy Owls, but in all fairness, they are magnificent creatures and this event happens so infrequently, that I just can’t resist.
Thank you to all the students this weekend for your participation, enthusiasm and inspiration. Enjoy this days shooting.
