Perfect Timing

"Perfect Timing" 

Judy Royal Glenn Photography 

While on St. Simons Island, Georgia, I decided to photograph the waves. As I was taking my shot, a pelican was kind enough to fly by.

The Stare

"The Stare" 

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

When I am out photographing wildlife, a must is to photograph the eyes of my subject. Most of the time, my standard is to photograph the subject looking at me. Other times, like the photo from Wednesday's post, is to have the subject looking off into the distance. The eyes draw you in and make for a more engaging photograph and story:)

I don't think he's really staring at me but made eye contact while he was preening.  

Location:  the marina at St. Simons Island, Georgia 

0938-12206

"0938-12206"  

Judy Royal Glenn Photography 

 I love finding birds that have been tagged through the North American Bird Banding Program.  Last month while I was on St. Simons Island, Georgia, I found this Brown pelican on the pier.  When I saw the pelican had a band, I followed it around taking photographs of the band around its foot.  

I photograph all around the bird until I get all of the numbers needed to report the bird.  I have found and reported several birds over the years.  

On the U.S Geological Survey website, it states:  "Bird banding is used to study the movement, survival, and behavior of birds."  Something I am greatly interested in because birds are my favorite thing to photograph.

They will even send you a certificate telling you neat information about the bird you are reporting.   0938-12206 is of course a Brown pelican and was hatched in 2001.  It was banded on July 2, 2002 in Miami, Florida.  So, it is far way away from home!  The sex of the bird is unknown.

Lighthouse Decoration

"Lighthouse Decoration" 

Judy Royal Glenn Photography  

I found this Brown Pelican at the St. Simons Island Pier thanks to my dad.  He took a photograph of the pelicans at the pier and sent it to me.  When I went out for the day, I knew where to stop first.  I did not mind that the pelican helped decorate the lighthouse for me:)

Location: St. Simons Island, Georgia

Sunset Pelican

"Sunset Pelican"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography  

 

When I want to photograph birds at sunset, there is always a risk the location I pick will come up empty.  There is no hurrying off to another location that day if there aren't birds there.  I was pleased to find this pelican waiting to have its portrait taken.     

 

Location:  St. Simons Island, Georgia

Sunset Silhouette

 

"Sunset Silhouette"
Judy Royal Glenn Photography 

I went down to the docks on St. Simons Island, Georgia with my husband to get some sunset shots.  I had my husband come with me to carry my bag because I just threw out my back a few days earlier.  My back wasn't really well enough to photograph.  I could not do a lot of things, like get down low to the ground.

It was killing me to be at a wonderful place to photograph and for two days not be able to shoot.  So, out I went with my husband to see what I could physically be able to shoot.  What I ended up with was not what I envisioned, but I am satisfied nonetheless.

When we first got there, the pelicans were everywhere!  I had less than an hour till sunset, and most of the time I photographed the pelicans.  This particular set of pylons usually had a pelican on it, so I shot there for awhile.  Once the sunset, I noticed the beautiful clouds had pink in them.  I knew the perfect shot would be to go back to this pylon.

When I got there, a pelican was there but flew off.  I set up my tripod and waited.  The pelican came back, but the pink in the clouds had disappeared.  This is basically the shot I captured.  I added a tiny bit of a richer blue to the sky.  I'm happy!