New Camera

Well, it's been a while since me and the internets hung out. Between then and now, I've birded my way through almost an entire year and survived one of the worst birding winters I've seen up here in Chicago land.

Onto to more pertinent matters. I got my hands on a camera.

Finally.

I'm now a proud owner of the Panasonic DMC-FZ35. The FZ35 is Panasonic's newest and top of the line "ultra-zoom" camera. Sure, it's not a DSLR, but college debt won't let me get near one of those. This camera is super lightweight and to me is a perfect birding companion, which is just what I wanted. I think me and the internets will be hanging out more often now. I promise some more birding adventures/pontifications in the future. Pinkie swear....

Anyways...a few test shots. Enjoy!

-Sell

Red-headed Woodpecker







Song Sparrow



This shot of a Louisiana Waterthrush is really cropped, but shows you what the camera can do from some distance. This was taken from the top of a pretty deep ravine in not-so-adequate lighting

Birder with a camera

Okay, I've been birding my whole life.

WHOLE LIFE.

And I don't see anything stopping that.

However, my interests in birds has taken a new turn: photography. It's not that I'm bored with just looking at birds and observing them. It's just that I'm always looking for that new thrill; that new adventure within the world of birding. Photography could be the ticket.

Though I know little about photograhy right now (shutter speed is about girls, right?) I want to become skilled at it. My idea of bird photography isn't getting that blurry photo of some state record yellow-billed loon that was taken with a camera phone and a pair of bins. I'm talking about the hunt....getting that one. perfect. shot. The kind of shot that takes patience and knowledge of where the birds are.

Yet, I'm reluctant. I have heard of many a good birder becoming a photographer. Then it all changes.......I never want to become that guy who will tromp through any habitat just to get that great photo. I want to be someone who can champion both photography and birding.

I guess I've been birding long enough and have had too many moments where I've said, "Damn, I wish I had a camera with me right now." I'm sick of saying that. I want to have great photos to look over as memories...not simply a list of checkmarks, but I want to be satistifed as well at just looking at bird instead of always saying, "can we get closer, please. I want that photo."

So, here's to a new adventure. May I be a birder who has a camera with him. Not a bird photographer.


-Sell