Anita
was born and raised in the Central Valley of California on a small family farm. Over the years we grew apricots, peaches and almonds. I left the farm to pursue a degree in psychology, graduating in 1976 from Bethany University in Scotts Valley, California.
Tim and I married in 1978, moving to Aromas, CA in 1990 where we raised our two daughters. For the last 20 years I've worked as the buyer for Toque Blanche (Chefworks), researching and purchasing cookware, cutlery, tabletop linens, and all manner of kitchen supplies. Having retired in October 2024, I now have time to enjoy our 6 grandchildren and pursue my love of photography.
Living in the Monterey Bay, CA area provides an amazing opportunity to see not only year-round but also migrating species. Choosing a favorite bird is like choosing a favorite child. That being said, among my local favorites are the Brown Pelicans, Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Terns and those tiny Allen's Hummingbirds.
I don't remember a time in our home when there wasn't a camera. As a child we took many trips to Yosemite, leaving in the dead of night so my father could get the perfect picture of Yosemite Falls just as the morning sun was hitting it. I learned the importance of capturing the "right" light from him.
I love being in nature and recording what I get to see. Over the years I have photographed landscapes, including sunsets and lighthouses, and during my hikes I've photographed wildflowers in the springtime. But it was only after COVID 19 that I began photographing birds. I was traveling to get my vaccination (it was early on and the vaccine was not readily available locally) and we decided to stop at San Luis National Wildlife Refuge near Los Banos, CA. The rest is history. That trip opened up an entire new avenue of photography for me.
Some of the challenges: Birds are birds...they are always on the move. Their location is always changing, especially if they are migrating. It's necessary to learn as much as possible about their behavior, then adjust your location and/or time of day to increase the likelihood of getting the desired photo. Lighting is critical and understanding how your specific camera and lens capture light will make you a better photographer. Because of this, I always shoot in manual mode and recently have been working with high ISO settings that are now available.
Getting as close as possible to the subject will always result in a better photo. Having a long lens is critical, but for me it needs to be one I can carry when I'm hiking. My go-to lens is the Cannon 100-500mm f4.5-7.1 L IS USM
Learn your camera and lens. Work with one lens until you feel comfortable with it. Take lots of photos, and learn from your mistakes. Being a bird photographer is best done alone (learn to be quiet and patient).
I am currently (Jan. 11, 2025) working with my friend Jenny Clendenen on Between the Birds, a coffee table book featuring my photos and her essays, some of which were recently shared by the Elkhorn Slough Foundation. We hope to see the book published in late 2025.
Being in nature and photographing birds is the best therapy I could ask for. I get to leave the stress of life behind and focus on the bird, the camera settings, and being in the moment. It also provides me with the opportunity to share what I've witnessed with my friends. It's my desire to inspire people to get out and see the wonder that is just outside their back door. For those who aren't mobile it's my hope they will vicariously enjoy seeing the beauty in nature I'm able to share.
