Springtime is a magical time for waterfowl migration, as birds return from the south, and the ice melts from the ponds. With the warming days, it becomes my favorite time of year. I awake several hours before dawn and venture to my secluded waterhole. Packing my waders and camo netting, I head out in the predawn hours to set up along the pond’s edge, knowing the rising sun will illuminate the creatures before me. Often, I find myself laying in swampy mud and water, remaining as still as possible. My electronic shutter is muted so as not to disturb the fowl with any noise. Many will swim within feet of my hiding spot. When the sun breaks through the trees, anticipation is high. The whistling wings of wood ducks and teal fill the silence, and the air begins to warm. The drakes all seek the companionship of the hens.
This morning is extra special. A surprise guest joins the crowd of ducks on the pond. A pied-billed grebe slowly feeds along the edge, heading toward me in my camo hideout. Without worry, I snap several images with the light just right. The morning sun lights up the foliage to a golden hue as the spring greenery has yet to bud out. This spot is a favorite of mine, as the light is always perfect and key to a quality image. I keep my Canon R3 and Canon 600mm f4/L slightly above water level. This low angle has striking results. The pied-billed grebe has no idea that I’m ecstatic to have it fill my frame. These little guys are often overlooked, but when the definitions and tones of their forms are captured, their true beauty is realized. After several hours of near encounters, the fowl find their way to the safety of the pond’s hiding spots, and I slip away as quietly as I arrived to do it all again the next morning.
The thrill of capturing the intricate details of these often-overlooked creatures, like the pied-billed grebe, in their natural habitat is what drives my passion for wildlife photography. Each sunrise brings a new opportunity, and I’ll be there, camera in hand, ready to witness and document the magic of the natural world.