I have been a generalist photographer for many years. However, some years back I became enchanted with a Great Egret, one thing led to another and now I mostly photograph birds. Especially birds in flight. That led me to wondering about how birds move through the air. (I still hold a pilot’s license and have long been interested in physics of flight.) So my wondering turned into an exploration.
The result? An emerging book, Avianautics, the Art and Science of Flapping Wings, a photographic exploration of how birds fly.
Sausalito Harbor under the red haze of a far-off forest fire
Where am I? Most days I am in Sausalito, California where I live on a floating home. The view above is from the north end of Sausalito Harbor looking across the bay at San Francisco on a day when the sun was hidden by the smoke from a forest fire.
No, not a motor driven ‘houseboat.’ My home has a 20 by 40 foot concrete hull and is actually a regular house floating on the water. It doesn’t travel anywhere, just rises and falls with the tide.
Mast Lines
A true Watercolor, painted by Mother Nature
Richard,
I’ve been taking photos of birds from my powered parachute and could use some help. Do you have an email to discuss it?
Love your site, by the way.
John
Sorry if this long but it is something I wrote about an encounter with a great blue heron that lead me to a fascination with photographing birds in flight, not unlike your story…
This morning
It was a kind of sadness that made me stop
at the place I usually just drive by
where grace found me in the form
of a great blue heron who danced with me
following my lead
moving away as I moved closer
stopping to look at me as I looked at him
then spreading his wings and gracefully
flying away with just a bit of my melancholy
Then it was a virtuoso performance
that sounded like five birds
but was only one
at the top of a wise old oak
lit up against the dark sky that
I had been dragging around all morning
it could only be a mockingbird
but I could not tell if was singing for me
or at me — the intruder -
or just singing
Then out of the corner of my eye a hawk
plummeting as if in hot pursuit
only to come to a screeching halt
with a flourish of golden wings
on the top of a tall tree
Then a flash of gold and a song of delight
the roller coaster flight of my first goldfinch
stepping out in high style
with his more soberly dressed mate
As I sat down to write a quail stepped out
of the bush five feet from me
to tell me to wake up
to recognize his particular call as he
and his family circled around me
as three egrets flew by in their aerial ballet
and the goldfinches which I had thought long gone
returned for an encore
Earlier I had longed for binoculars
for my camera with the long lens
to get closer to the great blue
to this rare visitation
but I finally understood
that this was not about chance
or the right equipment
at just the right moment
It was all around me
at all times and telling me
(like the policeman nearby
who gave me the speeding ticket
twice — in the same place!)
to slow down
to pay attention
How often we forget
that even those moments that feel
like crossing a barren desert
will reveal themselves to be teeming with life
if we just
stop
Good afternoon Richard,
I am a big fan (great blue heron big) of your work. I work right outside of a window that looks over a small lake and wild prairie and I am on the constant lookout for any wildlife activities. Please add me to your weekly emails and feel free to contact me to talk nature stories any afternoon.
Happy photo hunting,
Deeds
Happy to
Hi Richard,
Would you be able to present a collection of your still wildlife photos to my photo club called Wildlife Photographers of Silicon Valley? We hold meetings the third Monday of every month at Harry’s Hofbrau in San Jose. Here is our URL:
http://www.wpsv.org
The purpose of our club is both entertainment and education. Therefore, incorporating how you shot your pictures or general tips are appreciated. Our club has a 1024x768 projector and screen available. You can choose to present at our April through November meetings.
Please let me know if and when you are available. Thanks!
Hello,
i’m avid birder with about 50+ years in, since boy scouts, doing photography last 30 years, so they both came together. Have been out to S.F. six or seven times, will be out two weeks beginning of May, could i make some requests as to where i would be best to visit, i’ve usually been out in Oct. or Feb.,
Your work is just amazing, i’m quite more than impressed keep up your wonderful images, and add me to your emails,
much thanks,
Bob Weaver
Newport, R.I.
I have added you to my email list
Richard
Hello R ichard,
I’m now in S.F. with my friend & his wife, have been to the beach,
and cliff house, pt. Reyes, tomorrow off to Monterey for two days,
then another week here.
Could you give me some help in where i might go to find some
Trumpeter Swans to photograph???
Haven’t had many shorebirds here, but hope to be able to
photograph more at Elkhorn
slough.
Number i’m staying at is (415)-401‑8218, or please email, maybe i’ll be fortunate enough to catch up with you before i head back to R.I.,
many thanks,
Bob Weaver
Would love to use your magnificent photo of the crow and the kite in our wildlife profiles for kids. We would love to give full credit and your website link:) We need high res, 3“x5” and how you would like to be credited.
Wonderful work!
cay cross
ncwildlife
I was referred to your great site by Jaya at Adventure Buddies. I am a birder in the Sierra foothills and recently attempting the transition from film to digital. I like your site and would like to be added to your newsletter/blog
Joe
I so enjoyed speaking with you today when you called about your airlines reservation. Thank you for telling me about this site — I would so appreciate you including me in future emails and updates. Your photography is superb and your observations process is unique! Love it! What a great life! Thank you for bringing the beauty of creation to all of us who are not able to travel to see it!
Thanks Donna,
You are on my list, should have one email already
I love your work and look forward to the book!!
I live in the SF Bay Area. Please include me in mailings on future exhibits.
Thank you.
Happy to add you to my list,
Richard
Your work is amazing. I was able to see your exhibit at the Atrium in Greenbrae not long ago… it was amazing. I hope I get to meet you in person some day.
Your house sounds intriging!
I love the caption for Mast Lines!
What a grat idea.All kudos to you