Monday, February 28, 2011

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 . . .
123 Signature


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

51 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

I stumbled upon Kerri's blog a few months ago and was stunned by what I saw. LOVE her photos of my favorite subjects (birds and nature). Truly truly a wonderful spot in my day. Have to go check out that camo chair! :)

Cheryl said...

A wonderful interview and great questions. Thanks !!
(going to check out her blog()

Roberta Warshaw said...

Thank you for introducing me to her wonderful blog. I love shooting photos of birds at my feeder as well. I have so much to learn about it and reading your interview is quite helpful.

Kerri Farley said...

You are soooo sweeeet! Thank you for your kindness!

Gail said...

Beautiful photos!

forgetmenot said...

I love to go to her blog just about everyday too. And, everyday I am amazed by a new and beautiful photo. I have such great admiration for the lovely work she does--totally awesome. Mickie

Joey said...

Awww! Great interview! I am determined to get good bird shoots and those butterflies are the ones last summer that convinced me I needed a better camera. Now I need the zoom and I am getting it come hell or high water. Thanks for reinforcing what I was wondering about!

Jen at Cabin Fever said...

Her photos are lovely! And funny thing is, while she inspires your photography you inspire mine. I even set up a couple bird feeders before the snow fell in hopes of trying my hand at photographing them! If only they weren't now completely buried in snow. ha

SouthernSass said...

I love visiting Kerri's blog! Her macros and bird shots are incredible.

Low Tide High Style said...

Ok, Wow! Thanks so much for the link to her blog, Kerri's amazing photos, and the wonderful interview! I need a blind chair to try and capture better pictures of the swans!

Kat :)

Annette W. said...

I'm curious...who picked the photos you or Kerri? She's talented, like you!

I recently sent a friend photographer to your blog. :)

Laura~peach~ said...

just have to say I added kerri to my blog roll even before commenting... LORDY what amazing pics... I wanna be like you two when I grow up!!!!!!!
:)

Anonymous said...

Speaking of squirrels, I have a giveaway going on my blog right now. Very pretty photos.

beth said...

thanks for introducing her to us.....wow. she's amazing !! i think i need one of those chairs !

Dawning Inspiration said...

Kate! This is so very cool! I love Kerri's blog - and her images!! She's a total inspiration to me!

LivewithFlair said...

I'm inspired to learn more about photography! Birds make me so happy, and reading this post put a little dream in my heart to one day take pictures like that.

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

Amazing! The idea of the camo chair is particularly intriguing.

Something tells me there will be a new chair blind perched near the lobster buoys at Chez Country Girl...

Caroline said...

Amazing photos! Such a great interview Kate. I don't think I would be good at shooting birds...takes lots of patience (which I have little!). Thank you for the introduction!

Hilary said...

I knew by your first paragraph that it just had to be Kerri. She has the most incredible bird photos and I aspire to be as good as she is. That cardinal shot is amazing.

Candylei said...

Yes,she has such beautiful photos and I think you do too! :-)

Candylei

Deb said...

very nice interview...beautiful photos...nice of you to share..

Lili said...

I so enjoy looking at her stunning photography. And that was such a great idea for an interview too Kate, I enjoyed learning more about how she captures such breathtaking images. xo ~Lili

mrs mediocrity said...

Wow. These photos are amazing. I will go and check Kerri's blog out. What a great interview, love the photography tips!

Country Gal said...

Kerri's photography is beautiful.
She photographs just like I do never uses a tripod cause I love to be right in there with my camera in hand enjoying the subject that I am photographing. Have a great day !

spindrift,maine said...

You are so kind and so generous, Kate! Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Wonderful interview! And I can see why you love this blog--Kerri's photos are amazing!

Michelle said...

You're right; STUNNING photographs! Thanks for sharing her with us!

wayne15575 said...

What a fantastic blog entry. I loved it. I'm sure Kerri was proud of it as well. Thanks for sharing and give me more ideas.

Bluebird49 said...

I'll run over and take a look---but I'll be back!

GailO said...

Thank you for introducing Kerri's blog to me Kate....it is stunning! But your photos continue to be my inspiration:)

JacksDad said...

Thank you for a very ineresting post!

bellis perennis said...

thar s a good interview and I learn a lot I go to visit Kerri's blog too see more photos a her Thanks for doinging this it was a great idea greetz Jacky

Gone Country said...

Stunning photos! I can see why she is your inspiration! Thanks for the interview and introducing me to her site! I learned several new tips! Love your photos too and I can only hope to be as good as you two one day!

Kathryn Dyche said...

Such beautiful images, great interview.

Cindy said...

Thanks for sharing! I love your blog, Kate!

The JR said...

Very beautiful pictures!

Anonymous said...

Stunning images....smiles.

Gail Dixon said...

Now this is right up my ally! What a great interview, Kate! I've been interested in bird photography since last summer. I've often thought about buying a chair blind, but really forgot about it until I read this post. Thank you so much for sharing this. I'm going to go check out Kerri's blog and stream right now!

Spreading the Love! said...

Beautiful, beautiful images. I've been told I need to cave to the tripod too.. but I feel very much the same as you do-

Spreading the Love! said...

Ummm.. that's me, Karen of this old house, forgot to log out of other. *sigh*

Daryl said...

Not that I take nature pix worth posting but I wont ever use a tripod unless I can have someone schelp it around for me

Jan's camera said...

Kerri's photo are beautiful. I'm heading over to her blog next. Thanks Kate and Kerri for sharing the photos and photo tips.

ahomespunyear said...

Incredible bird photos...so clear and showing all the fine detail. The birds are fascinating as well, because they are different from our native species. Thank you.

Char said...

nice interview

Carolynn Anctil said...

Wow. Those shots of the birds are nothing short of stunning! Amazing. Truly of a professional caliber, worthy of publication. Wow.

Mary said...

Oh how wonderful to read all about Kerri! I have been visiting her blog for awhile now, and she always has such beautiful bird shots!

abb said...

Wow! Kerri's photos are gorgeous!

KaHolly said...

I enjoyed your interview with Kerri. I always enjoy her photos when I swing by for a visit.~karen

Julie G. said...

Wonderful interview of a most talented, beautiful individual! I stop by Kerri's amazing blog for a daily dose of beauty. She is an inspiration to us all! Fantastic post!

Theresa MacNaughton said...

Fabulous interview! I just adore Kerri's photography and blog - thanks for featuring her. :) Theresa

Unknown said...

Thank you , love learning more about the "who" and "how" of a blog .

I have been visiting and admiring and soaking up the inspiration at Kerri's place for a few months now, she is amazing.

Misty DawnS said...

Kerri is one of my inspirations also! I love her blog and her photographs. I've followed her blog and been a friend on Flick for a long time.
Outstanding interview!