Finding Wildlife at Home: Backyard Moments

I never expected how simple it was going to be taking my first couple photos. What a pleasant surprise that my subjects—the Chickadee and the American Robin—were practically within arm’s reach. Out from my dining room was a wide balcony, perched above pine trees and the Nehalem River. The view was one of those quiet landscapes that seemed to offer a measure of peace every time you saw it. 

But alas, back then, I was still wrestling with my photography gear, learning which buttons to press, what lenses and cameras matched up together, and trying to make sense of settings that felt designed for someone far more experienced than I was. However, once things started to click, I was eager to begin. 

Just a few feet beyond the balcony ledge, were these two beautiful birds sitting on a thick pine bough. They’d come and go, fluttering in and out of the branches but always returning to that same spot. I’d always considered myself to be fairly patient, but I learned quickly there was another level of patience I needed to grow from. As any photographer or artist, I was realizing proximity doesn’t replace patience. The good news was that I already loved being outside so it wasn't too much of a learning curve. 

It was actually a joy waiting for them to settle and turn just enough, to give me that moment where the light, the angle, and their posture all aligned. Even when they did though, it took several shots before I finally captured the shots I was happy with. Simplicity, I learned, doesn’t always mean easy. Sometimes it just means the beauty is already there—you just have to be ready, steady, and willing to wait for it.