Feather Count – the creation of a unique photograph…

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
~ Albert Einstein

This image was one of the first photos that Nikon contacted me about years ago, publishing an article about it in Nikon World Magazine in a section called “Parting Shot.” The concept was about the beautiful gesture of the bird, and the translucency of the feathers with the sun shining through the wing. As a bird photographer, a big part of getting the shot is putting yourself in the optimal position for just the right moment. In this case it meant managing a heavy tripod, gimbal head, Nikkor 200mm-400mm lens, along with a Speedlight and battery pack…. while moving quickly to capture the shot! Having the right gear was important, but being patient and situationally aware was the key to the success for this image. My goal was to position myself to photograph the backlit wing, allowing the sun to create an ethereal presence with the feathers. This created a magical moment for me as the photographer and artist, and one who loves nature.