The Copper River Delta in eastern Prince William Sound, serves as an important refueling stop for the shorebirds that migrate along the western coast of the US. Hundreds of thousands of birds congregate here in early May and spend a few days on average feeding on the rich inter tidal shores before journeying on to their nesting grounds. Watching these flocks of birds is an experience of sensory overload. Clouds of birds, beating wings, and at times, whirls of wind caused by their tiny wings flood the muddy beaches. In some remarkable way, flocks of thousands of birds move with a synchronicity that is as visually spellbinding as it is mysterious. The preponderance of birds are Western and Leasts sandpipers, with a few other species mixed in.
Shorebirds in Hartney Bay, Cordova, Alaska. Canon 1Ds Mark III, 500mm f4L w/1.4 extender
Photographing the birds can be a bit overwhelming. Conditions are often wet, windy, and cloudy, which presents a set of challenges. Additionally, long lenses, shallow depth of field, high shutter speeds, and rapid focus are needed to capture the birds in flight. I used two camera bodies, my standard Canon 1Ds Mark III and a Canon 5D Mark II (which I’ve been field testing-I’ll give my comments on that in a later post). The frame rate and buffer (about 3 frames per second on AI Servo auto focus) of both cameras is lacking for this type of photography, but I wanted the larger file size instead of using my 10MP, 1D Mark III. Perhaps in the next year or so we might see a full frame sensor camera that has a high burst rate, with a hefty file size. I’m anxiously waiting for it!
As is usual with many photography sessions, now that I’ve reviewed the files, I’ve got a bunch of ideas for the next time. That will have to wait for 2010.
