Flocks of shorebirds in Cordova, Alaska.
What a fantastic day! Wow! Not just the sheer quantity of birds, but the way they fly together. It isn’t in perfect unison, but more like a synchronized dance where the entire group can continually vary the size, shape and color of the flock with endless combinations. I was mesmerized. Hugh Rose has lead tours here for many years, he says there had to be over a 100,000 birds today – they basically just arrived today. I was shooting non-stop thinking it couldn’t possible get any better, and that was when I heard the words “O my God!
What got my attention is the words came from Milo Burcham. You see Milo is a good friend and excellent wildlife photographer who works as a biologist here in Cordova. I have photographed with him before, he isn’t prone to exaggerated outbursts. So when I heard Milo, I immediately spun around just in time to see another 100,000 birds arriving to this wonderful stretch of mudflats. The estimate came from Hugh Rose – all I know is it was a huge bunch! Words can’t begin to describe this amazing migration – the fact it actually brought tears to Janine’s eyes should say it all. I went through 8 gb cards like they were 36 exposure rolls of film!
Now get this; the regulars tell me tomorrow should even be better, probably the peak. The peak comes and goes very quickly here. It is safe to say I will probably sleep as good tonight as a kid on Christmas eve!
Below, Michael Quinton is surrounded by birds.
Comments 16
That first photo is the pure shizzle. My first impression was, “That’s (insert naughty word) insane!!!” Ya know I’m not a big bird photographer, but this easily falls into the realm of ‘one of the best I’ve ever seen’. Eye candy for sure. Congrats.
Author
Wow, thank you very much Gary!
Ron
Birds are not really my thing but I think I would even be in awwwww at this!
incredible Ron. That is on another level compared to other bird cluster shots.
Oh, wow! I too would surely be in tears if I experience this. What an awesome experience, and thanks for capturing it greatly with your talent and sharing it to everyone.
Wow, that’s incredible!
Ron, I’m a fellow Mira photographer and just recently found your website and blog. It’s great stuff and incredible photography! Your blog is in my blog reader now.
So my first question is, with 200,000 birds flying around did you avoid getting “bird bombed”? 🙂
Terry
Dang, I wish I were there to see this! All these years we’ve lived up here and been invited for the bird festival, and never went. I’m so glad you made it for the peak of the return, I know you will have winning shots from all of this.
Have fun,
Mom
Author
Thanks for all the nice comments!
Good question Terry, I wondered about that myself. 🙂 The birds rarely flew overhead, so it wasn’t really an issue. Plus it was raining and blowing hard, so it would have cleaned me off pretty quick!
Mom, it sounds like you need to visit next year!
Thanks
Ron
Wow, that’s an amazing shot. You’ve taken bird photography to another level.
Author
Thanks a lot Adam!
What an awesome sight! It’s Alfred Hitchcock all over again! Only these birds don’t look threatening. I bet that was just the coolest sound, too!! Very interesting!!
Hey Ron,
The first shot is totally, unequivocably, positively, freakin awesome. Would you post it somewhere a little larger, to see, maybe? It’s crazy good.
Cheers
Carl
Author
Thanks Beth – I thought about adding a Hitchcock joke myself!
Hi Carl – Thanks a lot man! Size does hurt this one, I will try to add a link to a bigger version when a get home.
Ron
Hi Ron,
Your work has quite a lot of variety. I really like that “O My God” photo. Very artistic.
Steve
Author
Hi Steve,
Thanks a lot!
Ron
Thank God there are still huge flocks of birds someplace in the world. I understand there used to be large flocks like this in the Everglades, but they are long gone. Maybe there is hope for the world yet. Thanks for sharing it with us!