For anyone who loves nature photography, the best time of the year for you is right around the corner. The early spring is always my favorite, with returning songbirds, more wildlife activity, and just getting outdoors with my camera.

So far in this Spring of 2019, I have found it difficult to do much serious photography. It’s one of those “up and down” kind of springs. One day or maybe two it will be nice, followed by a cold, wet spell. I guess the only thing we can do is try to dodge the wet, cold days and take advantage of any nice days we may get. Good luck with that!

It will soon be mid-April, and the air will be filled with returning songbirds. For nature photographers who love to photograph birds, this is really a fun time. Watch your feeders in the next couple weeks for returning rose-breasted grosbeaks. They love sunflower seeds, and the males are spectacular. Male goldfinches will be turning a bright yellow and scarlet tanagers will be closer to the ground early in the spring, making for some great images.

Near the end of April, the wood warblers will be returning to the area. These colorful little songbirds are a large group of birds that you probably won’t find on any feeders. That’s why they’re called wood warblers; they do live in the woods!

This is a great challenge for any bird photographer to just locate them. Look close to the ground in early spring, checking movement, and you might come across a brightly colored warbler.

Once you do find a warbler, how do you get them to stay still for that split second portrait? I have made it my springtime goal the last few years, and it has paid off with some great, and colorful, bird shots. Patience and slow movements always seem to work well.

Remember, they are tired and hungry from long migratory trips, and can be approached very closely in the early springtime.

If you do want to have fun finding warblers plus many other returning songbirds, plan a trip to Magee Marsh, Ohio around the first week of May. Named the “Biggest Week of Birding” in the country, your chances of some great bird images are very good. Look for details and times on the internet.

Equipment for springtime bird photos should consist of a good telephoto lens and maybe a smaller close-up type lens for good measure. What I am now seeing more and more are the reasonably priced Sigma or Tamron 150-600mm lenses.

The reason is most likely, the prices and the ability to hand hold them without a cumbersome tripod.

Last year at Magee, I watched many photographers struggling with tripods and massive lenses, causing traffic jams all over the boardwalk, while the people with the handheld optics had no trouble maneuvering through the crowds.

Don’t get me wrong, the giant telephotos are wonderful, and produce some amazing images, but be prepared to do some heavy lifting.

Get your gear ready for the upcoming springtime nature events. Take your time, look and listen, you will get some wonderful springtime images. Try to get into the woods before the leaves and foliage pop for a better chance of identifying songbirds. Local warbler hotspots are Twin Lakes, Jake Rock’s and any areas around creeks and ponds. I would also suggest bringing along some tick spray for warbler hunting.

Have fun, and believe me, springtime is a very colorful photographic challenge. Until my next adventure…

Questions or wildlife sightings can be emailed to me at rocky.holland1@verizon.net