Wildlife conservation photographer Carla Rhodes told Bored Panda that she loves working with birds. "Simply put, they keep you on your toes as a wildlife photographer."
"They are magical creatures coming in a stunning array of colors, shapes, and sizes. All wildlife photography is challenging, especially birds who are often far away, tiny, and incredibly quick… Especially when they are in flight!" she said.
Rhodes, who's done a lovely project called 'Beneath The Bird Feeder,' said that the environment is a key part of wildlife photography.
"By showing the animal’s environment in the photo, you are able to communicate a larger story, especially about the habitat in which the animal occurs."
"Birds live in many different types of environments, which can create stunning and varied photos. On the flip side, this can create challenging situations (for example, warblers who are tiny, speedy, and often high up in trees or in dense thickets)," she explained.
#7 Have Been Trying To Land A Photo Of A Darwinian Finch - This One Was Having None Of It…
But the thing Rhodes loves most about birds is their varied personalities. "Some birds are shy, some are more friendly and some are highly intelligent and possibly plotting to take over the world (I'm looking at you, corvids)!"
"For further example: endangered greater adjutant storks in India are one of my favorite birds that I've ever photographed. I found these 5-foot-tall birds to have a stoic and commanding presence."
"Closer to home here in the Catskill Mountains of New York, USA, I find black-capped chickadees and dark-eyed juncos to be especially curious and hilarious subjects."
#12 As An Avid Bird Photographer, I Know The Value Of Waiting For The Exact Moment And Angle Where A Bird Is Presented In All Of His Magnificent Glory. And So I Give You "Twisted Egret"
However, according to the State of the World's Birds report, which is released every four years by BirdLife International, the expansion and intensification of agriculture is putting pressure on 73% of species.
Logging, invasive species, exploitation of natural resources, and climate breakdown are the other main threats.
#14 Back Before I Had Chickens Of My Own And I Didn’t Know How To Pick Them Up
#16 Now, I Know There's A Labour Shortage Currently, But This Is Scraping The Bottom Of The Barrel Woolworths. This Guy Seems To Be Dawdling Very Near To The Bird Seed Too
Globally, 49% of bird species are in decline, one in eight are being threatened with extinction, and at least 187 species are confirmed or suspected to have gone extinct since 1500.
Most of these have been endemic species living on islands, although there is an increase in birds now going extinct on larger land masses, particularly in tropical regions.
In Ethiopia, for example, the conversion of grassland to farmland has caused an 80% decrease in endemic Liben larks since 2007.
#18 I Am Particularly Proud Of This Excellent Shot. This Wonderful Ostrich Kept Trying To Eat My String On My Hoodie. I Have No Idea Why It Has Zombie Eyes In This Photo. It Was Totally Normal In Person
#19 In Case You’re Hankering To Peer Down A Goose’s Tonsils, Claude Is Here To Help
