I didn’t set out to become a bird photographer.  It happened the way the best things often do: by accident, curiosity, and a bit of optimism.  On a foggy morning in Borgarfjörður Eystri, Iceland, I found myself perched on a damp hillside, wondering if the puffins were going to cooperate or mock me by hiding in their burrows.  They did a little of both.  But when they finally emerged, those neon beaks and wide-eyed stares were impossible to resist.  That was the first time I realized photographing birds was less about patience and more about being present when the weather and the wildlife decide to cut you a break.

I was carrying the Nikon Z8, a workhorse camera that I set up for animal action.  Its autofocus locked onto those pudgy little seabirds like it had been personally briefed on puffin flight patterns.  I paired it with the 85mm f/1.2, a lens you’d expect more in a portrait studio than on a cliff, but that wide aperture was magic.  Even in the diffuse mist, it gave me razor-sharp focus on the puffins’ eyes while the background dissolved into a soft haze that looked like a dream.  The lens was fast enough to freeze every water droplet clinging to their feathers, proof that bad weather makes good photos.

The best part is that you don’t need a 600mm bazooka to photograph puffins here.  Borgarfjörður Eystri is one of those rare places where you can get close enough to hear their odd little growls without disturbing them.  I spent a while crouched along the wet grass, amazed that they tolerated me.  Those images with mist clinging to their heads and tiny feathers slicked down ended up being some of my favorites.  They also marked the point when I stopped thinking of bird photography as a side quest and started embracing it as a new dimension of my work.

Perch with Brian!

at Durkin Photos & @briandurkinphotos on Instagram

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What’s Your Story?

In an effort to place the spotlight on the birding community I am seeking birders who are interested in sharing their spark bird story to be featured on the Modern Birder Collective. Whether you’re a backyard birder, nature trail birder, or in an urban setting, every birder has a story to tell which can inspire others to discover the joy of birding.

SUBMISSION

Want to share your story on the Modern Birder Collective?

It’s easy! Simply write up your unique spark bird experience and email it to modernbirdercollective@gmail.com. Be sure to include the following:

• Your name as you’d like it to appear in the published post.
• A photo to be used as the featured image.
• Your story, written by you, I’ll copy and paste it directly into the post. It can be as short or as detailed as you’d like to capture your experience.
• Any social media handles (optional) you’d like to include so fellow birders can connect with you and grow the community. 

Looking forward to connecting with you soon & happy birding!