When Pandemic Shut the World, This Photographer Found a New Universe

By Larry Blau

Wildlife photographer, Larry Blau and friend.

Late last February, my wife and I returned from Africa bursting with the excitement of the new sights and sounds and experiences we had just had in Tanzania’s Serengeti.

Then the world shut down and changed forever.

I remember about two weeks later, with the reality of the pandemic sinking in and looming across the future, looking at my camera and knowing that I needed to keep taking pictures to help me get through our world crisis.

But, my passion was traveling and taking images in exotic locations; I had never done much local photography. So how could I satisfy the need to photograph the world when the world just narrowed to my backyard?

I realized that I had to reinvent myself as a photographer. I needed to expand my creativity to capture subjects that I may have taken for granted before in unique and exciting ways.

Glossy Ibis with Snowy Egrets - A large salt marsh. I spotted this scene and slowly inched closer, but was always aware not to get too close or the scene would be ruined. Image: ©Larry Blau

Since we have a summer home on the South Fork of Long Island, I decided to make the coastal area between Westhampton Dunes and Hampton Bays my “studio.” This area is known for its coastal birds.

Before the pandemic, if I happened to see a beautiful bird on one of my travels, I might take a picture; otherwise, I had never paid much attention to birds as photography subjects. Instead, I had concentrated on the more dramatic wildlife, like grizzly bears in Kamchatka or the lions in Africa, or exotic cultures and fascinating people like the eagle hunters in Mongolia. I needed a new perspective.

My Photographic Technique Must Change with the New Reality

Egret Morning - As the sun was rising on Shinnecock Bay, I noticed two Great Egrets. Image: ©Larry Blau

I proceeded to write a plan. My goal was to expand my creativity into this new world the pandemic had presented.

First on my list was to read more about my camera settings. This “refresher course” was because I understood that I needed to utilize my settings for my new subjects much more to create the desired images.

I planned to experiment with shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation, and white balance right in my backyard in Ossining, NY,

It was at this point that I also decided to only shoot in manual mode since this strategy would give me the best opportunity to set the camera the way I wanted.

In Photography, Timing Is Everything

Headed to my car, I turned just in time.

East Quogue Nature Preserve, on the wooden walkway back to my car, I turned and saw this deer. Two young appeared from the vegetation.

White Tail, swimming

Deer Bay. Walking back to my car and turned in time. Deer had entered the water. I waited for the appropriate moment.

Bird Chaos!

Sitting on a pier, I noticed a flock of cormorants, in a line, coming towards a Snowy and Great Egret. I waited and watched the scene unfold.

American Oyster Catcher

Under the Ponquogue Bridge. Only 1500 breeding pairs are estimated left on the East and Gulf coasts - this pair may be one.

Finally, after much trial and error, I was ready to take my new approach to the field. The next step was to scout out various locations with exciting subjects and morning and late afternoon photography opportunities.

Some of these are locations that I already knew of but was rediscovering as a photography opportunity. And some were brand new to me, found by chance.

A New Photography Style Means Learning a New Rhythm

Since most of my shooting was to take place between the Atlantic Ocean and Shinnecock Bay, I needed to figure out the rhythm of those locations. I realized that the low and high tide times would be a factor. It would be easier for the birds to feed during low tide. So I found an app (Saltwater Tides / ST 2.) and started to track when low and high tides occurred.

Next, I needed to learn and study the birds I would be encountering, such as seagulls, ospreys, egrets, terns, and cormorants. Without my camera, I went out in the field to observe and detail their behaviors.

Common Terns Both Image: ©Larry Blau

I sat on a wooden dock, patiently observing the scene.

Discovering My Self Again in the “New” World

Finally, I felt confident enough with the information I had collected about my subjects, my camera, and my chosen locations to bring my camera into the field. So, I put a folding chair, beach blanket, and camera into my car. And off I went.

The first location I decided to try was a beach area looking onto Shinnecock Bay. I set up my chair and camera … and waited.

Photography has always taken my mind into another realm – and here on the beach, in this new pandemic world, it was no different. A calmness comes over me that I cannot describe. My whole world slows down, and as it does, a part of my mind clicks into play. I can see the image before I take it. At these moments, my single goal is to capture the world around me.

There is Action All Around – If You Stop to See It

Black-Crowned Night-herons are not easy to find, since they forage at night. I purposely created the circular light balls in the background by not using a polarizer. This type of reflection is called “Specular Reflection” and is created by the refl… — Black-Crowned Night-herons are not easy to find, since they forage at night. I purposely created the circular light balls in the background by not using a polarizer. This type of reflection is called “Specular Reflection” and is created by the reflection of light on the water behind the bird Image: ©Larry Blau

One morning as I was sitting, observing the unfolding scene, a stranger approached me and asked me what I was watching? I replied that I was waiting for the action to start, and he asked me, “What action?”

Eventually, the show did begin. Egrets, terns, and seagulls began to appear and behave in ways that I had never seen before. It seemed as though I had left my world and entered theirs. My camera clicked as the action unfolded.

Entering a Universe of Gulls

This adult Herring Gull does not look amused. I imagined that the adult was explaining to these boisterous 1st-year juveniles that they need to settle down a bit. Image: ©Larry Blau

The second location I was onto was inhabited by gulls – lots of them. When I arrived, I was greeted by gulls flying in and out, hopping, calling, and a great many just walking around. Some of the gulls appeared to be displaying their catch to others. How could I get into their world and have them accept me?

I took my beach blanket out, laid it on the sand, and then positioned myself on it with my camera. When the gulls saw this, they immediately backed off.

Some time passed, I waited, and eventually, the gulls started to accept me in ways I had never experienced. They began to approach me; some brought their catch, such as crabs, to show to me. Others made vocalizations that seemed to be aimed at me. Were they trying to communicate with me? Were they accepting me as part of their flock? I hoped so. I stayed there for quite a while and have revisited this location often.

Each of the locations I now consistently visit is unique to the other, and each has its unique photographic challenges. But having patience and slowing down my world is always the crucial element. After that, creativity can bloom.

Off of Dune Road in East Quogue - I sat patiently and observed an Osprey nest, waiting for just the right moment. Image: ©Larry Blau

In exotic locations like Africa or Mongolia, the charismatic subject matter is all around you; you never have to look far. I found that creating an interesting photograph of a lion is one thing, but it takes different skills and imagination to capture a seagull.

Today, you can generally find me traveling up and down Dune Road looking for photographic opportunities of the birds I have studied. I have learned where they are and when they will leave for the winter.

The Pandemic Expanded My World

Under the Ponquogue Bridge - Old and falling apart pilings made a perfect setting for a Great Blue Heron to look out into the morning sun. Image: ©Larry Blau

I have used the last year to expand my photographic skills in a way that would not have been possible without the pandemic. And I found that our shut-down world was much fuller than I had imagined. It is a new universe of photographic opportunity.

I look forward to honing the new skills and perspective my local birds have given me as the world once again expands.