What if I told you that you could have stunning photographs of wildlife without having to purchase all the expensive equipment?

It’s that time of year again when people are eager to capture the colorful sights and lively sounds of spring time. And can you blame them? With all the trees blooming (i.e. Cherry Blossoms, Dogwoods, Redbuds) and those elusive migratory warblers passing through your area, you’d almost be silly to not try and capture the moment. But if you’re anything like me, you probably have a mediocre smart phone and a nag for documenting everything exciting you see and ending up with mediocre pictures. But I have found a simple solution.

A Bald Eagle perched on a branch enjoying its lunch at Mason Neck State Park

The Unconventional Way

As an avid bird watcher, I always have binoculars within an arm’s reach. Looking at birds through binoculars and/or a scope makes life seem so clear. That’s when it hit me – it really is clear. It then occurred to me that there is nothing wrong or unusual about using my second set of eyes to take better photograph and it just gave me an extra reason to keep my binoculars close to me when I’m out and about on trails.

Something magical happens when you put your phone camera up to the binocular lens or scope lens. All of the sudden, your pictures are sharper and they appear far more superior to pictures taken from your phone camera alone. I must admit, it takes a minute to master picture taking this unconventional way, but the end result is well worth the fight to keep your hands steady. I may even consider myself a professional now at taking pictures through the scope we have at Mason Neck State Park, now you can too.

Snapshot taken from afar of the elegant Great Blue Heron

Secret Revealed

Here is my not-so-secret secret: I find a pair of binoculars or a scope and something worthy enough to be captured. Then I find the right angle at which I have the best lighting possible, put the camera up to the lens, and snap. A beautiful snapshot is born.

If you take the photos at a higher resolution you can then crop out the dark binocular frame and distortion around each subject, or keep it if you like it like I do.

Take a look at what I’ve captured in the last month hiking around Mason Neck State Park below:

Patchy American Goldfinch molting into breeding plumage (before and after cropping)

A juvenile Bald Eagle perched by the Visitor Center

A Red Bat scanning her surroundings on a warm day

Tree Swallows staking their claim on a Bluebird box

Two Eastern Painted Turtles basking early morning

Red-bellied Woodpecker making his morning rounds at the feeder

Now maybe you’re thinking “I don’t have binoculars or a scope” so I have another solution. Here at Mason Neck State Park we offer self-guided explorer backpacks for free use during the day and all of which have binoculars and field guides you may use. And since the park is located on Belmont Bay by the Potomac River we see a huge diversity of wildlife and other beautiful sights worthy of photographing, so you too can have fantastic photos.

What’s that sound coming from?

Now that spring migration for many birds is in full swing, it’s an especially great time to try and capture a photo of those flighty-feathered friends at your feeder. If you’re curious as to what birds you may find, check out the regional forecast for migrants each week here. Additionally, the amphibian chorus is now beginning to fill the nighttime air around you, and those seemingly empty wetlands are suddenly filled with egg masses. Like me you may be wondering what you’re hearing? Check out this calling schedule for frogs and toads from Virginia Herpetological Society and you’ll know exactly what to look for next time.

An inconspicuous American Bullfrog spotted in the marsh

Come out to Mason Neck State Park, you never know what spectacular shots are waiting to be captured. We’re open daily from 8:00 a.m. until dusk.  Mason Neck State Park is located near Lorton Virginia, only about 20 miles from Washington D.C. Click here for a google map. For more information about the park please call the office at (703) 339-2385 or e-mail here, we hope to see you soon.