Bloggy love

I visit several blogs on an almost-daily basis and I’d like to share one with you that I truly enjoy. She posts one nature photo daily that is more often than not accompanied by an inspirational quote. In fact, her bird photography is what inspired me over the years. I love her birds and butterflies!

So I asked her if I could interview her and she agreed. I’d like to introduce you to Kerri, author of the blog, A Little Piece of Me.





CG: Hi, Kerri. I've been reading your blog for several years now and have always been impressed with your nature photography. I hope you don't mind if I put you on the spot and ask you for a few pointers on how to take a good bird photo. In fact, I was thinking about you the other day while I was sitting outside in my yard, trying to keep still in the cold and keeping my movements quiet. And I wondered how in the world does Kerri do this?


To start, what type of camera are you using?


KERRI: From 2007 through the end of December 2010 I had been using a Nikon D40X - my first DSLR.  Then my Wonderful Hubby surprised me at Christmas with a new Nikon D7000.  I am still learning it but it is an awesome camera!





CG: That’s a good camera. What is your lens of choice when photographing fast-moving birds and butterflies?


KERRI: I am using my Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED IF AF-S VR Nikkor Zoom Lens for most of my images. 

For Macro work -I use a  Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens - but only if something is very still - I don't normally use that if something is moving.





CG: Do you use a tripod?


KERRI: Never.  I should!  I know that all good photographers do - but there is just something about the feel of that camera in my hand that is part of the JOY for me.  And I do it for the JOY. 

CG: Is there a special feeding station set up in your yard?


KERRI: The feeding station is on my deck which is surrounded by pine trees.  I have several traditional feeders and I also have two grapevine wreaths that I sprinkle bird feed in.





CG: Do you shoot through a window?


KERRI: I have a sliding glass door that leads to my deck.  A lot of shots of the birds at the feeders have been taken through that sliding glass door.

CG: I read once that you used a blind to shoot. Could you explain this and maybe even share a photo of it?


KERRI: In October 2009 I purchased a $50 chair blind that hunters use and I use it for photography. I have also taken it to some of the wildlife areas that I visit and have shot "in the wild" with it.  It works great.  This is not the EXACT one but very similar - 

Chair blind

It's basically a camo chair with a hood that has zippered windows that I shoot out of. 





CG: Wow. That way you can move around some and not spook the birds. So what advice would you give to the novice nature photographer?


KERRI: Shoot Shoot Shoot.  Take pictures, experiment with your settings, learn your camera and LOVE your subject.  I think the JOY you find in your subject will come thru in your images.
Also - for birds - listening is the key for me.  Sometimes I will stand still in the same spot for a LONG TIME and just listen.  I usually hear them before I see them.  And there is a sort of calmness that this gives to each outing as well.





CG: Thank you so much, Kerri. Lots of good information here and you continue to inspire me.
You can find Kerri’s work at the following places:

A Little Piece of Me (photo blog)

Kerri’s Flickr Photostream

Nature Store on CafePress (notecards, etc.)

I love the photos on this post!

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .



All photos in this post are courtesy of Kreations by Kerri.