Birds

Birds From Behind

April 27, 2012 by Walter 7 Comments

I know it’s dangerous to title a post “Birds From Behind” during “Bird Love Week” but I have to admit… it’s kind of the point. I’m getting swept up and unduly influenced by duck anatomy and countless pictures of avian copulation. But in all seriousness, this post is actually about those moments that seem to get away… but don’t. Just because a bird passes you by doesn’t mean you lose the shot. Some lovely things can happen when you take [photos of] birds from behind.

Great Horned Owl from behind.

Red-Shouldered Hawk from behind.

Snowy Egret from behind.

Forster’s Tern from behind.

White-faced Ibis from behind.

Red-tailed Hawk with dinner and a salad from behind.

Prairie Falcon from behind.

Red-tailed Hawk from behind-ish, more from the side.

I’d like to take a quick moment to address all the San Francisco Bay Area readers of 10,000 Birds. If you are interested in volunteering for a long-standing, well respected, non-profit, raptor relevant organization that has both Hawk Watching and Banding programs, visit the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory’s volunteer page HERE. The meetings for new volunteers happen next week!

Everyday Sunshine will be back in a couple of weeks to celebrate the beauty in the commonplace… thanks for tuning in.

Beat on Assignment bird photography

Written by Walter

Walter Kitundu is an artist and designer, instrument builder and bird photographer. As an artist he has created hand built record players powered by the wind and rain, fire and earthquakes, birds, light, and the force of ocean waves. Walter has performed and been in residence at art centers and science museums internationally. He has performed with the renowned Kronos Quartet, bassist Meshell Ndegeocello, the electronic music duo Matmos, and the legendary Marshall Allen - in venues from Carnegie Hall to a high school library in Egilstaadir, Iceland. In 2008 Walter became a MacArthur Fellow. Walter loves photographing birds and is an ongoing volunteer with the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory. He was hooked when a Red-tailed Hawk landed at his side, ate a caterpillar, then refused to leave. He is a Senior Design Developer for the Studio Gallery at the Exploratorium in San Francisco where he designs and builds environments for learning. You can see more of his work on his blog, Bird Light Wind.

7 Comments

Sharon April 27, 2012 at 7:50 am
i love birds and your photos are amazing!!!!
allison April 27, 2012 at 11:05 am
Walter, thank you so much for these photos. Every time, your beautiful birds grab me and put me in the moment with each of them.
ml April 27, 2012 at 12:54 pm
Is it me, or is it getting a ‘lil hot in here? haha…great pics!
JJ April 27, 2012 at 9:55 pm
Your photos are a great way to get the word out about GGRO. Thanks.
Felonious Jive April 27, 2012 at 10:33 pm
I don’t even know what to say about your photos anymore Walter. I love the appearance of the talons in the owl, that is a very unique photo. And Sutro Baths? Talk about a a background.
I think I like the tern the best though.
Walter April 28, 2012 at 1:34 am
Thanks for all the wonderful responses. I’m so glad to be able to share these images with a wider audience and to be a part of the multi-talented crew at 10,000 Birds.
@Felonius – Thanks, I like the tern too. The light made the primaries so sculptural. It always pays to keep shooting even when the bird turns its back. Sometimes I get lucky… often I get lucky. And the owl, I had no idea the talons formed stars.