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Finding Patience and Humor in Nature

 I will state right away that I am not a very patient person.  This might sound odd from a nature photographer but in the real world, I don't care for waiting in long lines or sitting in slow-moving traffic.  When I hit the hiking trail with my camera or wander into the wilderness however that all changes.  I wasn't always a photographer but the more I began venturing into nature, the more patient I became.  I learned to slow down to not only appreciate the plants and animals that I was seeing but also to find humor in the little things that I would overlook by rushing down the path.


Dove Sitting on Nest

Animals don't tend to appreciate fast movements and tend to shy away from loud noise.  This mama bird in the saguaro made her nest not too far from the ground last spring.  I kept a healthy distance away so as not to stress her and she happily took care of her babies allowing me the honor of observation.  At times animals are just on their way from here to there.  In those moments, I feel excited to catch a glimpse as they pause, glance in my direction, and scurry or fly away.  Sometimes I can bring my camera up in time for a quick shot but other times it is enough for me that I see them and there is that momentary connection between them and me.  


Leafcutter Bee with Leaf

Then there are the moments when the animal is so busy with their own survival that they don't even notice me.  Birds go about building their nest or animals reach for that one last berry and are so intent on their task that I am not even noticed.  This leafcutter bee was so busy dragging the leaves into a tiny hole in a chair to pay any attention to me sitting only a few feet away.  



Duck Standing and Leaving Water

Slowing down allows me to see the humor in the activity going on around me.  When I can capture a shot with my camera, the resulting image is sometimes even more humorous. This duck was having a grand old bath and making a huge spray of water everywhere.  After clearing a wide circle around them of any other birds, he proceeded to exit the water in such a comical way that I couldn't help capturing it.  He looks like he put on his fluffy big boy pants and is going for a stroll.  


Face in Saguaro Cactus

Other times, I find humor in the patterns of tree bark or saguaro cacti.  This saguaro has an interesting pattern.  I see a face of some sort.  Saguaros are hollowed out by woodpeckers and then these wounds heal over to be used by other birds for nesting such as the mama dove.  These wounds can form unique and often comical patterns that can produce an I spy game in the desert.


I have learned many things from nature and will continue to learn and grow.  Each new journey and adventure whether it is right in my backyard or across the country brings me a new understanding not just about what I am capable of but also an understanding about the multitude of life that surrounds us.  

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