© 2011 Andy Long.  All rights reserved.

Even if it takes a few days of waiting for the action,
it’s well worth the wait when some good bathing action does happen.

 

Fact AND Fiction?  Most times when these two words are used together the connector is OR.   While many things in photography can use the OR as the connector, there are just as many where the subject can be both Fact AND Fiction.

Here are a few photo topics where fact AND fiction apply.

1.  Tidal waters will always have birds in the area.

FACT:  When a photographer finds a combination of low tides and birds great photographs may be the result.  If planned properly, you can capture some wonderful behavior shots of birds hunting their prey in these shallow water areas.

© 2011 Andy Long.  All rights reserved.

More often than not, if you are at a good known location at low tide, some feeding shots can be captured.

Now add good weather with a colorful sunrise or sunset and you have the makings for stunning reflection and silhouette images. 

FICTION:  You see the water, but where are the birds?  A very windy day will keep the birds hidden somewhere beyond the view of the camera—we don’t enjoy the wind and neither do they. 

Just because a particular location is known for its gathering of birds, it does not mean you will find them.  They can also find another spot to go for a few days.

2.  Hot weather and a watering hole will produce good bird bathing shots.

FACT:  For pure behavior shots, this is a great combo.  Here is a good example: head to the ranches in South Texas during the month of May when the temperatures are approaching 100 degrees.  With that kind of heat, birds will want to take a bath to cool off, and known water holes make an optimum location for photography. 

At some point in time, there will be the action you desire, but you have to be ready for it.  Be prepared with the right camera settings.  Stay alert and be ready for the quick action when it does occur, so you can capture the best shots. 

 
FICTION:  There is an old saying that states, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.”  Just because the water is there does not mean the birds will indulge you with their bathing routine.

At most of these Texas ranches there are three or four water holes and the birds could very easily use one of the other ones.   Do your research and locate some of the other possible locations so that you can make a change if needed.

3.  Peak time of the year is the best. 

FACT:  It is easy to research the peak time of the year for a particular subject and schedule a trip to that location.  Most of the time, scheduling your trip at THE optimal time will produce terrific results.   Your trip may be for wildflowers, fall color, the running of the salmon, wildlife mating season, or...  Regardless, being at the right location and at the right time increases your chances of getting great photos.

FICTION:  Ever changing environmental conditions are shifting when peak times occur for a variety of subjects.  For example, what used to be a very predictable bighorn rut time around Rocky Mountain National Park has changed significantly over the past years.  It’s no longer possible to predict the rut time with accuracy from one year to the next.
 

© 2011 Andy Long.  All rights reserved.

Knowing when peak season typically occurs leads to being there at the right time to get some great color.

4.  There were great photo opportunities here last year, therefore it will be a good place to go this year.

 FACT:  Many photo spots are good year after year.  Knowing this is why many people trek to Yellowstone National Park every September for the elk rut or to Maroon Bells outside of Aspen, Colorado, for fall color.

FICTION:  Weather can wreak havoc on fall color and wildflower seasons from time to time.  In addition, other factors might bring unexpected changes to an area.  For example, the current condition of Yankee Boy Basin in Colorado has changed because cow parsnip and corn stalk plants are taking over several of the fields where paintbrush, columbine and other flowers previously flourished.

5.  A rainy or snowy previous season is good for the current season.

FACT:  Many seasonal nature settings do depend on the previous season’s precipitation.  A good fall color season is dependent on a rainy summer so the tree’s root system contains moisture.  As fall approaches, a freeze assists in the dying process.  A very dry summer does not bode well for good fall color.  For wildflowers, a rainy spring or a snowy winter soaks the ground and brings the seeds to life.

FICTION:  Not all weather is good as too much snow can kill a wildflower season.  This was the case this year at Mount Rainier in the state Washington.  A record snowfall left the peak season with three feet of snow still on the ground at the base of the mountain.  This area is usually great for fields of flowers with the mountain in the background, but not this year. 

Lots of snow can also make for difficult waterfall photography.  Unusual amounts of snowmelt and runoff can cause the water to cover picturesque rocks. 

6.  A sunny day is best for photography.

FACT:  A beautiful blue sky over a hillside of aspens or a snow covered mountain makes for some great shots.  Nothing beats good light on wading birds scooting around in the water.  Good sunlight adds shadows to many scenes creating a feeling of depth.  Anyone who has ever been to Arches National Park near Moab, Utah knows how important light is to bring out the colors in the rock formations. 

FICTION:  Sometimes a nice overcast day is great for wildflower photography, as soft light makes the colors seem richer.  Waterfalls are another subject best shot on cloudy days.  Glare on the water and rocks diminish and longer shutter speeds will smooth out the flow of the water.

© 2011 Andy Long.  All rights reserved.

It takes a sunny day to capture the sparkle of raindrops and make them pop in the image.