Monthly Field Shoot - Birding At Pickerington Ponds

Pickerington Ponds Metro Park is a renowned birding destination, boasting over 260 bird species, according to the Ohio Ornithological Society. The park's diverse habitats, including seasonal ponds, wetlands, and bordering woodlands, attract a wide array of waterfowl, shorebirds, and land birds, particularly during spring and fall migrations.

Pickerington Ponds Metro Park is known for its bald eagle sightings, with active nests and opportunities for viewing the birds, especially during the nesting season. A post on Facebook from March 18, 2025, noted one eagle's interaction with its perch, while another post from February 4, 2025, mentioned observing an eagle feeding its young and then cleaning up the nest area. Visitors often report seeing eagles perched, flying, or hunting around the park's waterways and wetlands.

Why shoot at sunset?

• Golden Hour: The hour leading up to sunset, known as the "golden hour," offers soft, warm, and flattering light that can enhance colors and textures in your photos.
• Dynamic Colors: Sunsets provide vibrant and dynamic colors in the sky, ranging from oranges and reds to purples and blues.
• Atmospheric Effects: The light at sunset can create unique atmospheric effects, such as reflections on the water, fog, and silhouettes, adding depth and visual interest to your images.

Photography tips for sunset at Pickerington Ponds

• Plan Ahead: Arrive early to scout locations and find the best vantage points for your shots.
• Consider Composition: Use leading lines, reflections, and other compositional techniques to create visually engaging photos.
• Experiment with Settings: Experiment with manual settings like aperture, shutter speed, and ISO to control the exposure and create desired effects. Consider using a low ISO (100-400) to minimize noise in your images.
• White Balance: Set your white balance to "Daylight" or adjust manually to capture accurate colors.
• Focus: Use manual focus for precision, especially in low light.
• Tripod: A tripod is crucial for shooting in low light and for creating long exposures, especially to smooth out water and clouds.
• Filters: Consider using a neutral density (ND) filter to balance the exposure between the bright sky and the darker foreground.
• Stay Late: Don't pack up immediately after the sun sets. The sky can often burst into a second round of vibrant colors after the sun dips below the horizon.
• Look Behind You: Sometimes the sky opposite the sunset is just as interesting as the sunset itself.
• Safety First: Be aware of your surroundings, especially in low light. Bring a flashlight or headlamp and wear appropriate footwear.

Pickerington Ponds highlights for sunset photography

• Bald Eagles: Pickerington Ponds is known for its bald eagle population. You might be lucky enough to capture a bald eagle in flight or perched against the colorful sunset sky.
• Waterfowl and Wading Birds: The park's wetlands and ponds attract various waterfowl and wading birds, offering excellent opportunities for bird photography, according to Reddit users.
• Reflections: The still water of the ponds provides stunning reflections of the sunset, enhancing the visual appeal of your photos.