As always, I’m on it

May 29th is Blurred Bird Day, which requires that you say it fast and never clarify it to anyone, because that’s half the fun. It should come as no surprise that, even as obscure as this holiday is, I’m fully prepared.

eastern kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus moving head during exposure
Kindly note that blurring the bird by failing to focus tightly does not count – it must be motion blur, preferably the bird’s.

pileated woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus moving head during exposure
Some birds are quite adept at it, of course.

great blue heron Ardea herodias moving entire body during exposure
This one probably shouldn’t count, because it’s more like an anti “Nail The Pan Day.”

It’s also not the best form for the image stabilizing function in the lens to produce the effect from its own movement during exposure.

juvenile downy woodpecker Dryobates pubescens moving head during exposure
One trick is to shoot in reduced light, but you can also close down the aperture pretty far to help lengthen that shutter speed. Too far, of course, and you’ll be moving the camera, so it takes a careful balance.

pileated woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus moving head during exposure
Bonus points are garnered, naturally, if you can produce something truly bizarre and just a bit unsettling.

Have fun!

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