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I am Nikonians

Roberta Davidson (birdied) Interview

Marsha Edmunds (meadowlark2)


Keywords: birds, bugs, butterflies, close, up, macro

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“I found photography late in life after I retired. Photography started as a hobby. It has now become a challenge, a passion and a joy.

I have learned I am most happy with my camera in hand. The world disappears when I put the viewfinder to my eye; it becomes just me and the subject

01

Butterfly Bush Breakfast
Nikon D800, 300mm with 1.4TC, f/9, 1/1000sec, ISO1100
Click for an enlargement

 

I live in Destrehan, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans, LA. The city of New Orleans offers many opportunities for architectural and people photography.  One day I may pursue those subjects, but for now, I find myself drawn to the swamps, marshes or parks.

The Bonnet Carre Spillway, west of the city is one of my favorite places with great variety.” 

02

The Mothership
Nikon D800, 300mm with 1.4TC, f/6.3, 1/500sec, ISO 720
Click for an enlargement

 

Roberta always signs her posts and e-mails “Birdie” but as you can see her love of subjects includes many others as well. She has had the nickname since childhood and prefers it over her given name.

03

Afternoon Nap
Nikon D800, 300mm, f/8, 1/640sec, ISO 280
Click for an enlargement

 

“I seem always to be at one focal extreme or the other - macro or telephoto.

Birds, bugs, bees and butterflies are the subjects most often in my viewfinder whether it be with the macro lens of telephoto lens.  I am filled with anticipation wondering what I will find each time I go out.

04

Sunflower Hummingbird
D810, 300mm with 1.4TC, ISO 500, f/8, 1/1250sec
Click for an enlargement

 

The first lens I purchased was a 60mm macro.   Who knew such wonderful things were going on just out of sight, under your feet?  All I had to do was crawl around the grass and find this new world all around.

05

Dandelium
Stack of five photos
Click for an enlargement

 

I love spending time with the small things whether they are a tiny bug or a water drop reflecting a beautiful flower.”

06

Pretty In Pink
Nikon D500, 60mm, f/5.6, 1/50sec, ISO 400
Click for an enlargement

 

In reflecting with her contact with Nikonians Birdie comments, “I saw a reference to Nikonians on a photo website.  I was looking for a place where members were willing to share their knowledge and expertise.  I found that in Nikonians.  There have been times when I stepped away for a while. However, I always seem to find my way back to Nikonians because of the wonderful spirit and willingness to share.”

07

The Lampshade
Nikon D800, 60mm, f/25, taken in bulb mode, ISO 400
Click for an enlargement

 

From Birdie’s own experience and wisdom she shares, “One can find all sorts of technical information on how to take a photograph or what tools to use. My advice would be to find your passion, a subject you love. Photography will be a journey filled with amazement and joy when your viewfinder is filled with things you love.”

08

On the beach
Nikon D810, 500mm with 1.4TC, f/5.6, 1/1000sec, ISO 200
Click for an enlargement

 

Finishing the interview she reviews her experience with photography, “Seeing a new subject for the first time or a familiar subject doing something new, all of these are memorable for me.   I can look at my favorite photos and be transported back to the place, the time and the emotions of that moment. To me, those are all special memories.”

09

My What Big Eyes You Have
Nikon D800, Lensbaby Lens, f/1.8, 1/160sec, ISO 100
Click for an enlargement

 

The precision in capturing these images is delightful to see; brilliant color and artistically recorded. Thank you so much Birdie for sharing a world of which we are often not aware. Thanks also for taking the time to comment and share your thoughts.

 

 

Originally written on January 13, 2017

Last updated on January 27, 2021

Marsha Edmunds Marsha Edmunds (meadowlark2)

Donor Ribbon awarded for her support to the Fundraising Campaign 2014 Fellow Ribbon awarded for her continuous encouragement and meaningful comments in the spirit of Nikonians. Donor Ribbon awarded for her generous support to the Fundraising Campaign 2015 Ribbon awarded for her generous support to the Fundraising Campaign 2017 Awarded for her in-depth knowledge and high level of skill in several areas.  Awarded for winning in The Best of Nikonians 2019 Photo Contest Donor Ribbon awarded for the contribution to the 2016 campaign Donor Ribbon awarded for the generous contribution to the 2020 campaign

Lethbridge, Canada
Team, 13843 posts

More articles by Marsha Edmunds

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14 comments

Ian McNicol...aka Scotty. (Scotty45) on January 23, 2017

Roberta, your passion & dedication to your photography has given you many hours of pleasure & experience, which is conveyed in your excellent images. Your willingness & ability to pass on your knowledge to other members of this community makes you a valued asset to Nikonians. Keep up the great work.......Scotty.

Aart Louw (AartPapaya) on January 21, 2017

I was blown away by the sensitivity of Birdie's pictures. I enjoyed every one of her shots. I just sense the feeling (emotion) in each shot. Thank you Marsha for for organizing this.

Kathy Cavallaro (Cavy2) on January 18, 2017

Awarded for her continuing willingness to keep on learning and to share her knowledge with others in the Nikonians spirit Awarded for her in-depth knowledge and high level of skill in several areas. Ribbon awarded as a member who has gone beyond technical knowledge to show mastery of the art a Donor Ribbon awarded for the generous contribution to the 2020 campaign

Thanks Marsha and Roberta for this article. I always enjoy Roberta's images, they're consistently top notch. A pleasure to view!

Ray Heslewood (Hessy) on January 16, 2017

Excellent images Birdie, you are a perfectionist at what you do. Very well done. Ray

Mike Howes (MikeHowes) on January 15, 2017

An enjoyable inside the mind read, with great images to support. I particularly like The Mothership and The Lampshade. Wishing you success in all your shots for the future. Well done.

John N. Lyman (wrinkles) on January 15, 2017

Lovely photographs and thoughtful words, thank you Birdie and Marsha for bringing them to us.

Roberta Davidson (birdied) on January 15, 2017

Laureate Ribbon awarded for winning in the Best of Nikonians 2013 images Photo Contest

There is so much talent here, and I am humbled that you are so generous with your kind words, thank you all so very much. Marsha, thank you for the honor to be interviewed. Birdie

User on January 15, 2017

Thanks, Marsha, for interviewing Birdie and bringing her to the forefront in this wonderful article. I have always admired what she posted in the Wildlife section but didn't know how diverse she is with what she photographs till now. You work Roberta is simply outstanding as the above work truly shows that. A lot of people are going to be inspired by you, viewing and reading this article. Keep the captures coming because we all want to see more. kip

Sarah Boser (Sarah9) on January 15, 2017

Thanks, Marsha, for interviewing Birdie and sharing this article with us. And thank you, Birdie, for making such awe inspiring and joyful images. They are simply beautiful!

Marsha Edmunds (meadowlark2) on January 14, 2017

Donor Ribbon awarded for her support to the Fundraising Campaign 2014 Fellow Ribbon awarded for her continuous encouragement and meaningful comments in the spirit of Nikonians. Donor Ribbon awarded for her generous support to the Fundraising Campaign 2015 Ribbon awarded for her generous support to the Fundraising Campaign 2017 Awarded for her in-depth knowledge and high level of skill in several areas.  Awarded for winning in The Best of Nikonians 2019 Photo Contest Donor Ribbon awarded for the contribution to the 2016 campaign Donor Ribbon awarded for the generous contribution to the 2020 campaign

It is so nice to see the interest in Birdie's stunning images and comments in this article. I so appreciate her work and her taking the time to do this article. I did get her name wrong through the article and I apologize. She is known as Birdie and not with the extra "d" I added. Thanks also for your comments as to my part in this feature.

Tom Jacob (sevendayimages) on January 13, 2017

Awarded for his continuous knowledge and images sharing with community members Awarded for his win at the Best of Nikonians 2016 Photo Contest Awarded for his in-depth knowledge and high level of skill in several areas. Awarded for winning in The Best of Nikonians 2019 Photo Contest 
Winner of the Best of Nikonians Photo Contest 2020
This member has gone beyond technical knowledge to show mastery of the art and science of photo Winner in the Best of Nikonians Photo Contest 2021

How nice to get to know Birdied a bit better, because she has been quiet an inspiration and always comes back to Nikonians with some fresh exciting new images. I really look forward seeing her posts and it's nice to read she's so full of passion about it, that's just wonderful :) Thanks Marsha for another great article...you're doing a very fine job here and it must be said sometimes. Well done. Cheers,

Ernesto Santos (esantos) on January 13, 2017

Nikonians Resources Writer. Recognized for his outstanding reviews on printers and printing articles. Awarded for his high level of expertise in various areas, including Landscape Photography Awarded for his extraordinary accomplishments in Landscape Photography. His work has been exhibited at the Smithsonian. Winner of the Best of Nikonians Images 2018 Annual Photo Contest

Marsha, thank you for another great installment of "I Am Nikonians". When I suggested this series to our founders I had high expectations. Under your hands it has far exceeded those expectations.

Ernesto Santos (esantos) on January 13, 2017

Nikonians Resources Writer. Recognized for his outstanding reviews on printers and printing articles. Awarded for his high level of expertise in various areas, including Landscape Photography Awarded for his extraordinary accomplishments in Landscape Photography. His work has been exhibited at the Smithsonian. Winner of the Best of Nikonians Images 2018 Annual Photo Contest

My goodness Roberta, you are immensely talented. What an incredible collection of images. I am just now getting into micro photography in a more serious way and you are certainly a source of inspiration, and isn't that what being a Nikonian is all about?

Alan Dooley (ajdooley) on January 13, 2017

Awarded for his frequent encouraging comments, sharing his knowledge in the Nikonians spirit. Ribbon awarded for his generous support to the Fundraising Campaign 2015 Ribbon awarded for his generous support to the Fundraising Campaign 2017 Ribbon awarded for his generous support to the 2017 fundraising campaign Awarded for his in-depth knowledge and high level of skill in several areas, especially photojo Ribbon awarded for his repeated generous contributions to the 2019 Fundraising campaign Donor Ribbon awarded for the contribution to the 2020 campaign

Patience... attention to detail... obvious love of the world around her. Those are words and phrases I'd use to paint a picture of this lady! She's amateur only in her own description -- her work is fully professional. Her message to me is to slow down, sir down, lay down, look -- then, and only then, start to shoot. Thank you for inspiration, Roberta Davidson!

G