Shlomo Breznitz, an Israeli psychologist and sometime member of the Knesset, advised me years ago not to take photographs – ever. He was convinced that the focus on capturing the moment would supersede experiencing the moment; he insisted it would narrow memory of the moment to the confines of the photograph and exclude all other contextual information.

There is a kernel of truth in this, although not enough to convince me to give up something that fills my days with joy. Digital photography allows for seamless documentation of your world, since there is no cost attached to taking it all in (that is unless you count the time spent deleting the 90% of pictures that didn’t turn out as a major cost.) However, when you start hunting for a specific subject, as so many of us do who photograph birds, it really changes the way you stroll through the landscape. Rather than enjoying nature as a whole as you would during any old hike, you experience the outing as a success if you got some good shots, and a failure if you didn’t. And then there are the moments where the long sought-after bird appears – there’s the kingfisher! – and you happen to be without camera…

One solution is to go for regular walks without photographic equipment to remind yourself that it is nature that counts, not documentation. Another is to bring only a lens that can be carried rather than requiring a tripod, so you remain mobile.  Another justification is for me the fact that the images bring joy to so many who can not or no longer be out in the fields themselves. In addition, you meet some terrific photographers in the field (Hello, Steve Halpern, Neil Ferguson). And the frequent insight how ignorant I am – barely able to identify the major bird species –  makes for a good reminder to be humble.  That said, today’s photograph is of a hummingbird, taken last spring at the Malheur Wildlife Refuge before the militias sowed their destruction. Happy to learn his exact name!