As a photographer, some of the first things you learn are flexibility and opportunism.

Often, the thing you came to photograph turns out to be boring as shit. (Did I mention you also learn to manage disappointment? 👍) But, soon enough, your superpowers will kick in and you'll have spotted a new vantage point or an amazing subject... and before you know it, you'll be tramping through inhospitable terrain, hanging off something very high, twisted into a pretzel and cajoling an inanimate object or recalcitrant animal through your teeth to just goddamn. hold. still. please.

So that's kind of how I found myself picking my way over pointy rocks along distressingly high cliffs while an eagle teased me repeatedly.

I'm not saying he was an asshole, but every time he flew just out of my ideal lens length, he hopped back towards me and peered at me quizzically, as if to say, "so, are you coming or what?" YEAH BRO, GIVE ME A SEC, SOME OF US CAN'T FLY IF WE SLIP TOWARDS OUR CERTAIN DOOM BECAUSE WE'RE COVERED IN CAMERAS, AND ALSO THAT WHOLE NO WINGS THING IS AN ISSUE. I think by now you've probably caught on to the fact that I will offer absolutely no helpful photographic tips here — just a bit of insight into how a dorky, not-very-professional photographer goes about her quirky day to day life. (If you want amazing photos of birds and great tips, go check our @phoblographer! DO IT.) Winding down into the weekend, today's post is inspired by the ongoing #colorchallenge and #fridayblue.

I had initially come to look for rabbits, and realised that my entire plan was a flop from the get-go as the dark shadow of an eagle passed over my head. Listen: you can sit and fuss that things aren't going to go your way, or you can be flexible and make the best of it. I followed the silently gliding spectre with the idea of doing some peaceful stretching and maybe taking a decent photo or two.

human no
y u do dis

Let me tell you, nothing brings yoga back to nature like crawling along a flinty ridge through fragments of sharp shells and layers of crusted bird shit. Extra ambience can be achieved by having a majestic eagle throwing you some serious side-eye.

So it went, up and down the bluffs; he settled, glared at me, and stretched. I scrambled to the next decently sturdy vantage point, and for a bit, we would garudasana it up, experiencing this magical connection looking out over the endless blue — and then, a few strong flaps, and he'd be off in what was essentially the most unfair game of tag ever.

Eventually I yelled out pointlessly — I don't even remember what, but probably something like, "you win, you feathered asshat!" because I am a nature lover like that — and I was answered with a sploosh down below.

The only other place I've run into sea lions in the wild to photograph was in Ireland.

This guy popped his head up (ostensibly because I was standing on a promontory in the middle of nowhere yelling at a bird), so in an effort to get a better shot, I did the only thing that came to mind. I yelled at him too, obviously.

"HELLO SEA LION FRIEND!"

 

henlo yes
dis is sea lion

It feels ridiculous to type this to you friends, but the derpy thing actually turned around in the water, and swam towards me. I made inane chatter with a sea lion for ten minutes, while it stood up (flipped up? floated?) transfixed, listening to me. I called it all sorts of lovely names and told it about going to get gas for my car and that I needed to charge my camera battery, and it listened raptly. (Or it was sleeping. I don't know, its face is sort of like gazing into the void.)

I like to imagine what someone watching me would have thought about my sanity that afternoon, but crazy looking or not, it's worth remembering:

Try talking to someone... see what happens.

 

All of these photos are my own, taken on my travels all over this pretty blue marble of ours.
I hope you like them. 🌶️