May In Motion: Flight, Color and Speed
The month of May feels like the perfect balance between the wild, unpredictable weather of spring and the calm promise of summer. The landscapes are lush, the skies are wide, and the wildlife is abundant, especially in the midst of migration and nesting season. This month, I had the privilege of capturing some spectacular moments; some feathered, some fast-moving, and all deeply inspiring.
Swallows in Full Flight
As the weather warmed up, swallows returned to the skies in droves, their acrobatic movements a beautiful sign of summer on the horizon. I spent several mornings at local wetlands, riverbanks, and parks, watching the cliff and tree swallows dart through the air, scooping up insects in mid-flight. These birds are masters of agility, and it was an absolute challenge to freeze them in action with my camera. Their flight patterns are erratic and fast, often just a blur, but there’s something hypnotic about the rhythm of their swoops and dives. I found the key to capturing them was focusing on their silhouette against the morning light and using burst mode to catch that perfect moment when they almost seemed to hover in the air, wings a blur.
Peregrine Falcons: A Predator’s Grace
If swallows are acrobats, then peregrine falcons are the true kings of the sky. I had the rare privilege of photographing a pair of peregrines on a cliff side of the Willamette River. Watching these falcons glide on the updrafts and dive at astonishing speeds was a breathtaking experience. Their iconic, pointed wings and sleek bodies make them unmistakable, and I was thrilled to capture a few stunning shots as they soared above the river. With their sharp eyesight and unparalleled speed, sometimes reaching over 200 miles per hour in a dive, it’s no surprise that peregrines are known as the fastest animals on the planet. The challenge of tracking them through the lens was intense, but when I did manage to catch them flying or perched on a cliffside, the results were well worth the effort.
Puffins and Harlequin Ducks on the Oregon Coast
The Oregon Coast is always a magical place to photograph, but May brought an extra sense of wonder as I spent time with some of the region’s most iconic birds: Tufted Puffins! and Harlequin Ducks. On a day trip out to Haystack Rock on Canon Beach, I finally had the chance to get some good photos of the puffins in their nesting colonies. These comical birds, with their bright orange beaks and black-and-white plumage, are a joy to watch, and their charming behavior never fails to bring a smile. Capturing them against the rugged backdrop of the coast was a dream, and I tried to focus on their expressions and the sheer joy they seem to have in flight.
On the rocky shorelines, I also encountered my first Harlequin Ducks, brilliantly colored and often seen in the most stunning coastal settings. The harlequin’s bold, contrasting patterns of blue, orange, and white make them one of the most striking waterfowl in the region. It was a challenge to photograph them as they bobbed along the surf and dove beneath the waves, but their beauty against the wild backdrop of crashing waves was worth the effort. The mix of the coastal environment and these colorful, elegant birds made for some of my most memorable shots this month.
A Different Kind of Speed: Motorcycle Races
This month, I took a break from the typical wildlife photography and tried my hand at something a little different, motorcycle racing. I’ve always admired the speed and precision of racers, and the challenge of capturing that same dynamic energy in a single frame seemed exciting. The Pacific Northwest offers some incredible racing events, and I attended a local race at the Portland International Raceway, where I tested my skills in a whole new environment.
Motorcycle racing is intense, everything happens in a blur, with bikes whizzing by at remarkable speeds. The challenge wasn’t just in tracking the riders but also in finding a balance between motion and stillness, creating an image that conveyed the thrill of the race while maintaining some sense of clarity. I focused on panning shots, attempting to follow the bikes in motion while keeping the background blurred. It was a fast-paced, high-energy experience, and while it’s a different kind of photography than I’m used to, I’m excited to explore it further in the future.
Looking Ahead to Summer
As we move into June, I’m eager to continue capturing the magic of spring and the early days of summer in the Pacific Northwest. With more migration happening, new wildlife emerging, and summer blooms in full swing, I’m excited to see what comes next. Nature always has a way of surprising me, whether it’s a bird in mid-flight, a moment of wild beauty on the coast, or the rush of something speeding by at full throttle.
