About the Image(s)

Taking Flight

Canon R5 ??“ Canon 100-500 @500 mm ??“ ISO 800 ??“ f7,1 - 1/1600th second Tv on a tripod.



I was out in the Sonoran Desert with a friend and there were quite a few songbirds in the area (my friend knew where to find water- ergo, the birds) ??“ and I was able to capture four frames of this Arizona Cardinal taking off, and this was my favorite.



One of the more challenging aspects of photographing birds in Arizona is that everything in the desert wants to bite, sting or stick you, so it’s wise to wear long pants, long sleeve shirts, snake boots (May-November) and large plastic tarp to lay or kneel on. Also, because of the terrain it’s difficult to get as close to these smaller species as I’d like ??“ usually 40 ??“ 50 feet is all the birds will tolerate. And while it’s not a bird mecca like Florida, I’ve been surprised at the variety of small songbirds I’ve found down here.