Little Blue Heron, Juvenile

This time, I did it right. After months of not putting myself in position to make good nature images, of always being in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong equipment doing the wrong thing – this time I did it right.

Killdeer

Right time? Early morning when the light is good and the wildlife is active – check.

Sora

Right place? The boardwalk at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, where interesting birds like Soras and Virginia Rails and Glossy Ibises have been the talk of the town, and social media, for weeks – check.

A small bug casts a big shadow

Right equipment? Binoculars and Canon 7D Mark II camera with the 100-400mm lens, in my hands and not back in the car – check.

Marsh Wren, juvenile

Doing the right thing? Two hours of watching and waiting patiently, on my own, instead of rushed by the need to keep up with fast-moving friends – check.

Sora

The result? Actual photos of wildlife! Killdeer. Sora.

Green Heron

Little Blue Heron. Green Heron, at the top of a tree, no less!

Bug standoff

Even a stand-off between two bugs on a leaf.

Killdeer

This is where the wild things are.

And I think we found the wildlife photographer.