Every once in a while, each of us has a stroke of luck; but, you have be there and take advantage of it. Mine came yesterday!
While at the state capitol, trying to duplicate a couple of photos of Lincoln taken 40 or so years ago from the tower observation deck, I had an unusual experience. I had accomplished my goal, and was looking out from the east observation deck when "buzzed" by a couple of screeching peregrine falcons. Not unusual, because, as most of you know, a nesting box has been provided for them higher up on the tower.
What was unusual was that one of them landed on the outer wall, just above my head. He (I refer to him as "he" because the male and female peregrines have the same coloration and markings; it could have been "she") kept up the screeching, now ear-splittingly loud, and held his position.
I was terribly uneasy at that moment, as I know what kind of talons the peregrine falcons have! So, considering retreat the better part of valor, I slowly backed into the doorway. At this point, my antagonist (or maybe I was unknowingly the antagonist, and he the protector) peeked over the edge of the wall, just six feet or so above my head. And, I might add, gave me a piece of his mind!
With my camera still in hand, I began shooting! After half a dozen close-ups, I decided to give him a little peace, and withdrew. I would have been better served to take a look at the images to see how they turned out.
In my total awe of the situation, I didn't take into account that the exposure would be based on the gray sky, and not the falcon. Consequently, the shots were underexposed by probably three or so stops. They certainly are good enough to provide documentation of the event, but you won't see them in competition. Had I used my brain (sometimes totally out to lunch) I could easily have switched to spot metering, or automatic bracketing. As it is, I don't expect to ever have that kind of an opportunity again.
I have been fascinated with the capitol falcons over the several years that they have been coming here, and have seen them on several occasions. Some of my early photos of the capitol had little black specs in the sky. Upon viewing them on the computer at some enlargement, I realized that they were the falcons. Then, I started watching for them, and would see them around the capitol, and hunting pigeons downtown. Once, I even got a shot of one hunting over Holmes Lake. However, it was so far away as to be barely identifiable. Nonetheless, I was thrilled to get the picture.
I told the capitol security about my experience, thinking that visitors might be in danger of being attacked. However, they felt that was unlikely. They were quite interested in seeing my photos, and asked me to e-mail the files to them; and the chief tour guide asked the same.
Long story, so, I suppose it should have a moral. If there is one, I think it would be that photographic opportunities can happen almost any time and any place. So, it behooves each of us to be like the Boy Scouts, always prepared (and to use our brains when the occasion occurs). This opportunity happened when I already had the camera in my hands; at other times I have not been so lucky.
I would give anything to have chance to do this again, to get it right! The only solution is to get out as much as possible, hoping to be exposed to other opportunities.
Clark Springman
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President's Column 