I tried to get into golf in my 30s, but it just didn’t take. That said, since my partner Dan is an avid golfer, I often tag along with my trusty Canon in-tow. How could I not when visiting such beautiful bird-filled courses we have in the Shenandoah Valley?
I loved high-school photography, back in the age of darkrooms and no post-editing, but for most of my adulthood, I drifted from the hobby. That is, till I landed in the Valley in 2020, where I encountered so much beauty that I simply had to capture it.
My obsession started small. I had a window feeder (before I realized the danger they pose with window strikes) and loved to see who would pop by, sometimes capturing awful photos. But eventually I found myself moving from the sofa to the sliding door, snapping photos of my avian visitors taking off from the rail. Still unsatisfied, I set up a more attractive feeder for action shots from my seat by the door. The slippery slope continued; despite the cold, I was pulled out onto the deck stairs for even better shots, and there I realized just how many more species lived beyond my fenced yard. I eventually landed in my gazebo, where I spent much of the winter, creating a bird wonderland with multiple feeders spread throughout the trees.
All this time, I continued tagging along with Dan, upgrading my camera twice and purchasing multiple lenses…if there’s one thing bird photographers and golfers have in common, it’s the ability to spend endless money on equipment upgrades! Now, five years into my rediscovered hobby, here’s some advice for those who want to try out birding alongside golfing:
- Research the areas around the course to learn what sort of birds may be present. Golf courses have a lot of landscaping elements conducive to bird habitats. The more “wild” a course is kept, the more likely you are to see birds.
- It’s easier to spot birds if you visit the same courses and learn which species hang out where. Your first time will probably involve a lot of missed shots!
- Keep up with your party so you don’t slow down the pace of play. While I usually have ample time, occasionally I find a really great spot but can’t linger.
- Be mindful that you don’t wander into any “danger zones” and be aware of where golfers are taking drives.
- Use the free Merlin app to listen to what’s around you.
- If you hang a suet feeder from the back of the cart, the birds will not come.
- And finally, hold onto your camera tight on that golf cart!
Field Notes from my latest Golf-Bird Photography Adventure in the Valley (8/10 AM from 8:30-11):
First sighting was a crow overhead with Massanutten Mountain Range in the back drop. Beautiful sight but I missed the capture.
Merlin spotted a Bluejay, but I couldn’t get eyes on it on the first hole.
I could hear birds in the Grove of trees, but I didn’t spot anybody and then something- Maybe a cardinal-flew overhead. Busting out my zoom lens for the next time that happens.
We came to a beautiful Vista, saw several birds flying overhead, but wasn’t fast enough to catch them. I did get some great landscape photos and I can see that when I come back around to hole eight, there’s gonna be a ton of bird activity.
I’m surprised there’s not more bird activity by the pond, but I do hear a Carolina Wren overhead and I’m now going out to hunt for it. [Was unsuccessful.]
A really bright belly flew overhead. Wondering if it’s an oriole? I think they like areas near the water.
I am finding that it’s pretty easy to keep pace with other golfers. It gives you just enough time to explore the bird friendly spots before moving onto the next one.
Missed another bird flying overhead
Seeing swallows- must be because we are near a barn!
Checking out another pond area while we wait for the Sunday golfers in front of us.
The swallows are so hard to catch. They are so fast and erratic in the air.
I think I saw a cat bird foraging for worms by the pond.
The golfer behind us caught up so now we have a friend!
Someone flew by with a worm in their mouth, missed the shot again, though.
A BLUE GROSBEAK! I CAUGHT A BLUE GROSBEAK! I have only seen one other Grosbeak so this is VERY exciting for me. I even got him taking off and my favorite shots are action shots.
[Dan lost a lot of balls today. And I missed a lot of birds flying overhead!]
As I was taking pictures of the American flag in the middle of the retention pond, a gray Heron took off! Wow, he was huge. I was able to capture him pretty clear overhead!
I’m getting some good practice taking action shots of butterflies. They are tricky, especially when there’s two in the air.
I missed about 10 geese landing in the retention pond because I was focused on the butterflies, but the sound of them sliding in sure sounded cool.
Coming back around to hole 8, I captured a robin forging for worms. Dan mislabeled it an Oriole because he saw the orange-ish belly
I thought maybe I captured a red wing blackbird up high in a pine Grove but it turns out it was a pine cone. And then I heard an errant ball hit the same groove.
Merlin says a goldfinch is nearby, but I can’t see it. I’m wondering if the earlier bird I thought was an oriole was actually a goldfinch.
As we close out on hole 9, a huge Osprey took off, did a few laps above the golfers, and then landed high in a tree watching over the course.
