Forever Foraging

Camera: Nikon D200
Lens: 70 – 300 Nikon VR
f/9 at 1/350
ISO 100
Hand held
Vibration reduction on

The day I took this picture, my wife I had driven down to Jericho Beach in Vancouver to go for a walk. It was a beautiful sunny, winter day and we brought our cameras along simply as an afterthought. As we walked along the beach we came across a group of about eight Sandpipers foraging for food along the shore.

I love birds but I am not a good bird photographer. Most of my pictures are disappointing especially when I compare them to photos by photographers like Tim Fitzharris. I think good nature photography takes planning and patience that I apparently don’t have.

I decided to try to get a shot anyway. I approached them slowly taking shots as I went. They turned out to be quite tolerant of me. I was able to get about six feet away as they were feeding on something at the edge of an old boat launch.

I didn’t like the texture of the concrete they were standing on so I timed my shots for when the gentle waves washed in hiding the concrete. Overall, I am happy with the image. I don’t think it is an award winner but it is one of my better shots of Sandpipers.

The lesson I learned from this was to try to take my camera with me more often even if I have no real plans to use it. You never know when you make come across a good photo opportunity.