Exploring Patterns in Birds’ Feathers

I’m always fascinated by patterns. I can’t help but notice them in sight, sound, and concept. So I’ve enjoyed watching our birds grow from baby puffballs into birds with patterned feathers.

As I mentioned before, photographing animals can be a challenge, and even a fairly docile peacock, who should be marvelously photogenic, simply won’t stand still for a picture. But as you can see in the image, his adult feathers coming in form a mesmerizing pattern.

Patterns can make interesting prints, especially without the context of the rest of the subject.  Play around with patterns and see what you find. Ripples on the water, fence posts, the bark of trees, birds on a wire, rows of cars, a wall of windows.

Lost Focus

On the display of the camera, this shot looked wonderful! But when I put it up on the computer screen, it was horribly out of focus. Lesson learned–don’t be satisfied with the first shot that looks good. Take many more.

Fortunately, since the peacock lives behind my house, I’ll have plenty of opportunities to grab that shot again. If I do, I’ll post it. But I have other birds with fascinating feather patters to get first. He had his chance to be famous.

What are your favorite patterns to capture? What secrets do you have to find them?