I’ve been a photography addict for over fifty years and in that time, I’ve engaged in several modes of photography: landscape, travel, portrait, macro, and nature. Nature photography, especially wildlife is the branch of photography that I’m most enthusiastic about. Why wildlife? Wildlife photography is “fluid,” it’s constantly changing. It requires fast reaction, keen observation skills, a knowledge of animal or bird behaviour, a curious mind, and tons of patience with a good measure of luck tossed in. I often find myself asking, “What did I just see? What’s the significance of this behaviour?”
Every outing is an adventure. Wildlife photography always reminds me of the Forest Gump quote, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”
Once in a while, when I have time, I love to slip over to the Palgrave Mill Pond, sit and relax, enjoying the scenery, waiting for something interesting to happen. Last week when I arrived at the viewing area behind the tennis courts, I was greeted with a tranquil scene with several Canada Geese, Mallards, and five Trumpeter Swans quietly swimming around the pond. Every once in a while, things turned chaotic as one of the male Canada geese would venture a bit too close to an established pair. That’s when things got exciting, and the chase was on.
Eventually, a mating pair of trumpeters started to engage in a courtship ritual that resulted in games of pursuit, flapping of wings and head bobbing. Pity the poor, unsuspecting Canada Goose that got in the way.
To top things off on my one-and-a-half-hour session, an Osprey flew overhead of the pond and for several minutes circled several times, spied a target, hovered for a few seconds and then plunged into the pond, came up with a good- sized fish and carted it off to a large white pine on the far side.
What an excellent morning of relaxation and adventure! A tasty box of chocolates.
Note: Prints of Gary’s work are available for purchase.
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