Livingston photographer focuses on birds in new book | Montana Untamed






Eaglet

An eaglet ignored by its mother is photographed as it is about to bite its mother’s tail feathers to get her attention. Taking pictures of eagles in Minnesota led to Livingston photographer Tom Murphy deciding to publish a book on birds.




Weaver birds in Rwanda tie knots to build their nests, one example of bird behavior that has long fascinated Tom Murphy.

“The old idea that animals can’t make tools … let’s see you build a nest with your lips,” he said.

People who pooh-pooh birds as not very smart, are missing out on the animals’ many adaptations to specialized tasks and feats, Murphy said.

“They do all kinds of amazing things we can’t do,” he noted, such as raptors that can see the ultraviolet reflections of mice urine in order to track them down.






Owlets

Two great horned owlets in Wyoming cuddle on a branch about

12 Wonderful Birds Winners Of 2021 Audubon Images Awards

From the finest aspects to the biggest styles, this year’s winners of the Audubon Photography Awards, chosen from 8,770 visuals and 261 movies entries, present an irresistible spectacle of the wonders of avian existence.

The once-a-year level of competition structured by the Audubon Modern society, a nonprofit committed to fowl conservation, is open to qualified and newbie photographers from the United States and Canada.

The 2021 levels of competition, now in its 12th yr, incorporates a new group for videos and for the initially time awarded the Female Chicken Prize to attract interest to feminine birds, which are often overlooked and underappreciated in both bird photography and conservation.

Additional FROM FORBESFor Chook Lovers: 10 Inspiring Photos, Winners Of Audubon

Local photographer discovers passion in documenting birds, nature |





Photographer Feature: Cheryl Johnson

Orange-chinned parakeets in Costa Rica. December 2020.




Cheryl Johnson thought she only had two bird species in her backyard until she started taking a closer look through the lens of her camera.

That was five years ago.

“Until you start looking, you do not realize the variety that we have here,” Johnson said.

Now, the self-proclaimed “Backyard Bird Nerd” or “Birdographer” has deepened her knowledge of and appreciation for birds and wildlife through a hobby that wasn’t easy to master.

Johnson has had an interest in photography since she was in high school, which she says took a backseat when she got married and had children. During a trip to Costa Rica a few years ago with local photographer couple Buddy and Jerra Lee, she rediscovered her love for image-making.

“Every morning, we would get up and wander around the jungle and take pictures and it