Seems for ever since I started this series, and now I’m going to share some of the more intimate portraits from the season.

It needs to said, again, that these birds were not under any stress from our presence, indicated often enough by their close approach, and sometimes complete indifference to our presence.
No photo is worth stressing the birds and it’s something we are constantly aware of.
If I approach a bird, it baulks and flys on, then that is a serious failure in their trust on my part.

Working with the young is just a little different as they emerge to fly and as we were in the area every other day, they just accepted ourpresence. I invited a friend down one day and while we were standing together, the birds were comfortable. But if he walked about on his own, they would quickly relocate. So much so that in the end, he commented to that effect.

Quite a number of the portraits were made with the bird resting quietly on a branch, and me standing still, waiting.

Not all birds react this way. But we believe the time put in working with just a few birds rather than trying to spot many in a day and build no connection, is worth it.

I’ve quoted from Jon Young before, but here it is again.
… a San Bushman said, ” Every time I see and recognise an individual bird the thread stregthens. Eventually it will grow in to a string, then a cord, then a rope. This is what it means to be a Bushman. We make ropes with all aspects of creation”
Jon Young, “What the Robin Knows” p.xxv

My challenge is to acquire an understanding of the bird’s perspective. Or at least an appreciation of that perspective.

Here’s a baker’s dozen.

Enjoy