February 2022 Viewfinder
The weather forecast is foremost in this month’s Opposite View Wildlife Photography newsletter.
I have an unhealthy relationship with the BBC weather app.
If I had a pound for every time I refreshed it, I would be a rich woman. I’m even wondering if I should change this newsletter to the Opposite View Weather Monitoring Service, as I seem to spend more time telling you how the weather has been than sharing my wildlife photography. Or maybe I am too hard on myself. I mean, the prevailing conditions do make a difference to the kinds of images you can capture.
This month’s challenge, inspired by a course I’m taking, was to use light in a different way for more creative bird photography. I’ve forced myself to shoot into the light, tackle side-lit subjects, and spot opportunities for striking silhouettes. The main issue I’ve had is a complete lack of light. Between Dudley, Eunice, Franklin, and all the other smaller storms and rainy days, there hasn’t been much sun to speak of. So, when we finally got wind of a sunny day last weekend (thank you, BBC weather app!), I took full advantage.
We went straight to the M8 motorway. You may think that this is an odd place to head to for photographing wildlife on a sunny day, but it’s actually a pretty perfect location for me - more about that below. Anyway, in the woods nearby, we were surrounded by great tits, blue tits and robins, who collectively drowned out the noise from the traffic blasting past. But it was this nuthatch that caught and held my attention. I positioned myself shooting towards the light pouring through the gaps in the trees and vegetation. When the nuthatch landed on the branch in front of me, I was ready to capture it back-lit. I used spot metering to expose for the bird - which left me with a halo of light around it, rather than it being in silhouette. My model, complete with its distinctive black eye mask, struck various poses before it flew away.
I’ll leave you with an image of my favourite pose and my encouragement to challenge yourself similarly. Force yourself to use the light differently. Take your camera out in a blizzard, or just try a new perspective. Hopefully, the blogs below will give you some ideas. Please send me a comment and let me know how you get on.
Right, I’m off to check the forecast. See you next month!
Best wishes,
Rhiannon
Opposite View Wildlife Photography
Through my lens
A worm’s eye view
Last month, Winterwatch showed a stunning film about oystercatchers. I was particularly interested to hear that a flock of oystercatchers is known as a “parcel”. After getting the lowdown on these birds, I wanted to talk about getting down low to watch them.
Species spotlight
Redwing - the winter tourist
Redwings start arriving in the UK in October, often migrating at night. Only a tiny population breed in the Scottish Highlands but over a million come here from Iceland, the Faroes and Scandinavia. I’m delighted that a flock of them headed to my local patch for a spot of winter sun.
And finally…
Locations that may seem uninspiring at first glance can be full of interesting wildlife photography opportunities, even your nearest motorway.
The small green spaces that survive between the snaking tarmac, which makes up the UK’s road network, can be havens for wildlife. I am not just talking about grass verges full of wildflowers that attract bees and butterflies. Even the most bare-looking patch of grass next to the busiest stretch of motorway can be home to small mammals, including a colony of dormice in residence next to the M1. These species, in turn, attract some of our most spectacular birds of prey. And that’s not all. Deer, usually nervous of the slightest sound, seemingly become deaf to the roar of engines to graze next to busy roads.
I recently posted a short video on TikTok and Instagram to highlight the possibilities of these often overlooked spaces. Please head over to these channels to watch the video (particularly if you are a fan of Talking Heads) and check out my blog on photographing motorway wildlife for ideas.
Just remember to stay well away from the carriageway and don't forget to look up!
Keep in touch
Thanks for reading this! If you have any comments or questions, opportunities for photography or if you would like to use any of my images, please leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you.
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