A Reflections of the Natural World Blog Post Series by Jim Gain

Through my posts to this blog series, I will share the memories of my first encounter with every species of bird that I have encountered in my wanderings and if fortune smiled warmly on me, quality photographs as well.

My passion for birds and bird photography began as an offshoot of my interest in nature, and specifically plants in college. A Greater Roadrunner, the first local bird species that I distinctly remember seeing, was discovered while on a field trip to Del Puerto Canyon with the Great Valley Museum. Later, while working towards a Biology degree at Stanislaus State in 1983, my initial slow-smouldering interest in birds exploded into an all-consuming passion as I endeavored to complete the Upper Division Ornithology class labs and field trip exams. Forty years later, my life species list is fast approaching 1,000 earth species.

My passion for photography followed a similar passion spark when my friend, photographer and fellow birder, Bob Corey, convinced me to join the local Camera Club. I had long been surrounded by friends that had that photographer zeal, but for me it seemed difficult and confusing to hear them talk of f/stops, ISO and shutter speed. The members of the Camera Club made me feel welcomed and soon, I was successfully submitting slides for competition and learning from each judge’s comments and suggestions.