Creative: Kit That Matters

It is not often I take the time to write a blog post about equipment, but when a piece of equipment instantly leads to another level of work then it is worth noting. Some kit matters. Before I go any further, just know that I don’t consider myself a birding photographer. I’m not there yet. There are world class bird photographers scattered all over the globe, and my limited experience with these folks has taught me several things. First, they are badass photographers and would be good at anything they turn their lens on. Second, they know birds. These are not people who decided on birds as some last minute option. No, quite the contrary. They are some of the most focused, educated, driven photographers I’ve ever met.

I came to birds late in life and due to the pandemic. My understanding is that the pandemic might actually work out well for the birds, because as it turns out, I’m not alone. A lot of folks came to birding during this time simply because they had the time. The time to look around, to pay attention and note a feathered subculture existing in plain sight. My gateway bird was the Woodhouse’s scrub-jay who came as a pair and nested on my patio. Babies followed while I developed a relationship with the pair. (Paco and Juanita) Year two of the pandemic arrived as did the jays. Same scenario. Relationship, babies, flight lessons, etc.

As my relationship developed I realized I wanted more.

I wanted to document the damn things, which I did. And then I wanted even more. I wanted to know what else lived in plain sight and how I could have missed birds for my entire life. (I did hunt birds for 20 years, but that’s different. Oh, and I ate them wrapped in bacon as I danced around a fire unloading my spare shells into the air in some demented, pagan hunting ritual.)

I think non-photography birding might actually be a better experience. Or better yet, birding with binoculars and then drawing or sketching or painting is perhaps the most supreme version of the birding experience. Not only is there a lot less to carry but this more tactile experience forces you to slow down. I’ve been addicted to the shutter for the past thirty five years, and I can’t draw, so I’m hosed and realized immediately I needed to up my bird photography game. Hence the need for new equipment. There is something important to note here. I worked with what I had for over a year before really investing. For over a year I used my 50mm-140mm 2.8 with a 2x converter while constantly finding myself in under-lensed scenarios. I would visit Bosque del Apache and stand next to “real” birding photographers with their 500mm’s or 600mm lenses.

With the Fuji system, I’m actually quite limited when it comes to long glass. However, what exists is superb. The 200mm f/2 is a work of art. Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, it’s large. Yes, it’s heavy. But man does it pay off, and it comes with its own 1.4 converter. I’m now making images like the ones I’ve included here and these are the kind of images I was after. This is the most difficult photography I’ve ever done. It requires patience, skill and a bit of luck. Okay, a lot of luck. You have to anticipate both bird movement and direction. Larger birds are a bit easier but the smaller birds are like someone doing cocaine while snorting meth and drinking Jolt Cola. It can be maddening at times, but when I miss moments it fuels me with the fire to return again and again.

I love birding because it’s free, doesn’t require access, permission, model releases, and the birds don’t belong to any political party. I’ve started an entirely new, multiyear project, 33&Counting, which revolves around birds, and I’m slowly building an archive of high resolution birds of New Mexico. I’m in no rush and I realize I’ve got a long way to go, but I’m going anyway. This lens allows me to track birds in flight, get close and also produces insanely sharp photographs. It is small enough to hand hold and is built like a tank. I try to use this lens every single day. I walk our property looking for spring additions. Yes, it needs a custom camo paint job, but I’ll get there.