A Treat
In the middle of writing my last post about my yearning for urban exploration and getting tired of wildlife photography, nature gave me a treat as if to say, “Hey, don’t forget you love us too!”
My son was getting restless and came to join me at the computer which is located at the front room of our house. He wanted what he wants frequently. He wanted to battle me. I try to cherish these moments regardless of what I’m doing. I know one day he’s going to stop asking to play with me and I don’t want to miss the last time.
After a quick session of getting beat up by a 5 year old, I turned his attention outside to talk about the yard work he and I need to do this spring. It was then I saw it. A pelleted woodpecker! I see them quite often actually. But usually, they’re high and jumping fast from tree to tree. This time, it was still and low.
“Daddy, go get your camera!” Dorian sounded as excited as I was.
“No.” I lost a little passion in my voice. “All my camera gear is away. By the time I go get it, assemble it, and get back here, the bird will be long gone.” It’s happened like that so many times before. I get my hopes up just to come back to an empty tree.
We watched it. It sat there. Staying at eye level. Hmmm.. Maybe I’ll slowly get my camera. As if being slow would lessen my disappointment.
First the lens case came out of the closet. Then I dug the R3 out of the camera bag. Assembling it always reminds me of putting together my M16A4 back in the Marines.
I walked back to the living room and to my surprise, the woodpecker remained where it was a few minutes ago. “No way!” I didn’t even attach the monopod. If I was going to get a photo of this beautiful big bird, I was going to man handle this monster of a lens!
Opening the back sliding door startled it and it flew. My heart sank. But just as quickly as it took off, it landed on another tree just a few meters back. And still at eye level.
Still in my house slippers, I stepped into the swamp of a backyard. Remnants of all the melting snow. Nothing was going to stop me. I squished my way through the backyard, holding the camera to my eye. And took all the photos I could.
It’s a marvelous bird. Huge. Almost 2 feet long and with feet like an ostrich. It slowly walked up the tree, laughing like Woody the Woodpecker along the way.
This is where I’m glad for digital cameras. About 300 photos taken, I started to feel the water soak through the bottom of my slippers. “OK. That was awesome.” I turned and walked inside as the bird climbed higher and higher. I probably won’t get this opportunity again anytime soon.
