I never saw myself as someone particularly interested in birds. As a hobby photographer I was, however, interested in pushing my limits beyond landscape photography and static objects. The wildlife at Kensington Metropark presented itself as the perfect subject. When you are a beginner, you are more likely to succeed if nosy nuthatches and cheeky titmouses are busy checking you out while you are busy fiddling with all the camera settings – and they’ll still be there when you are finally ready to get the shot.

Fast forward 2 years: I am not sure how that crept up on me, but I am now voluntarily getting up early on weekends to arrive in time for wildlife to be most active, I am capable of following the sound of the right bird song for some shots of a blue jay, cardinal, etc. and kneeling on the ground, not moving for ten minutes, waiting for a raccoon to appear. I also became a lot faster in setting the camera…)

Early morning walks with my camera became my favorite weekend activity and based on the number of other people with cameras I always meet: not only mine.

One occupational hazard of taking wildlife pictures in Kensington Metropark is though, that when choosing a trail which should take about an hour to walk, I somehow only end up back at my car only three hours later. Despite having 600+ pictures of a variety of chipmunks on my camera roll already, I can’t resist taking 20 more of that very cute one posing right in front of me. (There might also be slight possibility, that it’s only one very photogenic chipmunk posing each time I go there?!…)

If you love seeing wildlife, want to dabble into birding, are a photographer trying to hone your wildlife picture skills or just enjoy walking beautiful nature trails: Kensington Metropark is the place to go.
(Just be aware to take a step back if that cute chipmunk is hopping towards you – If you don’t, it WILL end up in your pants…) – Martina