Monday, December 6, 2021

Beneath The Bird Feeder Photo Series #ArtTuesday

Beneath the Bird Feeder Carla Rhodes

Carla Rhodes is a wildlife conservation photographer and this series of photos has some breathtaking shots you won’t want to miss, Check them out on her website

Wintertime allows me to partake in one of my favorite pastimes… Feeding the birds! During the warmer months, it’s simply unethical to hang a bird feeder in my area (Catskill Mountains, New York, USA) especially as they attract my curious, hungry neighbors… Black bears.

“Beneath The Bird Feeder” is a photographic project starring many feathered (and furred) visitors. Subjects were photographed daily via a DSLR camera trap positioned underneath my bird feeder during the winter months of 2020-2021. This project reveals insights into species behavior while showing the viewer a new perspective on a common pastime.

Ethical considerations were at the forefront of this project. This included hanging the feeder in a tree away from house windows. If not cared for properly, bird feeders can be a vector for diseases, such as salmonella. To avoid this issue I regularly raked beneath the bird feeder (and turned the soil below), rotated the feeder to different branches, occasionally allowed the feeder to be empty, and regularly disinfected the feeder with dish soap and dilute bleach solution.
Additionally, my garden stays ‘wild’ during the colder months, offering options beyond the bird feeder. I strongly believe if you engage in feeding the birds, you should do it responsibly!

Learn more!

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