Looking through my photo library recently revealed a fact that suprised me. For the last few years I have taken very few photos during the month of January. The combination of short daylight hours and drab conditions are obviously enough to dampen anyones enthusiasm. The month is also a busy one.
So how to go about changing this condition. Is it that I am truly too busy or is it a state of mind?
I set out to make a conscious effort to have a camera with me wherever possible. I will often take 15 minutes for lunch, so extending that by a few more minutes would not impact my working day too much. Finally, finding a good location that might increase the possibilities of ending my January drought, rounded out my plan.
I knew of a good location where I had often spotted one of our winter visitors the Redwing. Overwintering throughout Britain this Thrush sized bird with red buff underwing is very sociable often moving around in large flocks. However they are shy and will fly away if disturbed.
Sadly the month was proving fruitless, not a single Redwing to be seen. Today as I drove back to work after another lunch without Redwings, I tried to console myself that there would be another time. As I turned a corner, just a 1/4 mile away from my ‘good’ location, I was greeted by the sight of a small group feeding on a patch of ground. Pulling over and using the car as my hide I took the following photos.
So it would appear that my plan is working. I’m so pleased that I took the time to review what was happening , or not in this case, and work out a strategy that could remedy the situation.
arhphotographic 