I was hiding in the bushes at Jeziorsko Bird Reserve, watching a Great Egret moving through the shallow water. Then I noticed a group of Eurasian Coots at Jeziorsko Lake.
The coots were moving back and forth on the water. I stayed hidden and watched them for some time. The group kept changing direction with each bird making a wake behind it.
For some time nothing much happened. I just watched the group go across the lake enjoying the morning and waiting to see what they would do next.
Then the mood changed suddenly. One bird started moving with energy and the others followed. In a few seconds the calm group became a flurry of wings and splashing water.
I was able to take a picture of the moment as they finally left leaving the water disturbed behind them.
Summer was ending when I went to Jeziorsko. The pale sky was reflected on the water and the cool light made the scene feel like autumn. It was one of those September days when summer was still near, but autumn was already beginning to take over.
Watching these Coots at Jeziorsko was just a small part of a morning spent watching birds from the bushes but it became one of my favorite moments from the trip.
I like how these two photographs show different sides of the experience. The calm movement across the water and the sudden energy when they left. With summer turning into autumn the cool light seems to match the moment exactly.
What makes you notice the change from summer to autumn? The way the light changes, the cooler days or the first signs of autumn colors? Tell me your thoughts in the comments.
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These are a sublime pair of photos. I always appreciate your personalizing your photography with descriptions of what you the photographer were thinking and doing when you snapped your pictures. It makes your art less technique and more humanity.