I have been attempting nature photography for just over 2 years and am still very much of a ‘beginner’. Most of my effort has been focused on birds, butterflies, and dragonflies. However, I find plant close up and landscape photography interesting as well. My outdoor photography style is not to capture insects and stage photographs. All of the photographs are of active insects where there is less control of setting and light.

Since I like to combine photography with hiking, I haven’t used blinds or attractants for bird photography. Also I find that I really enjoy photographing from my kayak. I chose a recreational kayak with a large cockpit so I can easily pick up and put down a camera with a 180mm Macro. An anchor proved to be a pain in the neck, as it was always tangled in the weeds. I use fast shots or if necessary, pond lilies, other emergent vegetation or “nose against the shore” to hold the kayak steady. While I have learned a lot over the past two years, thanks in large part to great publications, such as Nature Photographer, I am looking forward to becoming much more capable with my camera.

Images © Joseph L. Roti Roti, All Rights Reserved.