Rick Lieder, the talented sf/f artist whose backyard nature photographs have stunned me for years, has released a new book of photos of small birds on the wing, shot in his own backyard in south Michigan. Rick doesn't use fancy fast film or other high-tech treats -- instead, he just uses patience and care to capture these remarkable images. I just got a copy from Rick (I'm at a science fiction convention outside of Detroit) and discovered a lovely bonus: a short introduction by Kathe Koja, the fantastic writer, who is married to Rick.

Aerial acrobats

Previously:

  • Cunning

    I’ve always found photographing small birds mid-flight is almost impossible. A remarkable achievement, and beautiful to boot.

  • Stefan Jones

    Great stuff, thanks!

    Bird photos are generally of the colorful tropical sort, or charismatic hunting birds. Ricks pix are of scruffy neighborhood birds doing their generally-unnoticed thing.

  • Antinous / Moderator

    Next, birdlols.

  • Guesstimate Jones

    i invadedez ur airspace?

  • Cowicide

    Very dynamic shots. It actually kinda changes my perspective on birds and I can almost see the dinosaur in them.

    This is one of my favs, looks so majestic:
    http://cloudboxer.com/cb_pages/photos/Cardinal_271207_1.jpg

  • Amy Fiasco

    woah i have to draw these

  • Johnny Cat
  • ESQ

    “Rick Lieder, the talented sf/f artist whose backyard nature photographs…”

    Science fiction fartist?

  • KidDork

    Beautiful and engaging shots. It’s also nice to see a celebration of the more common birds (or as snooty bird-watchers dismiss them as ‘junk birds’).

    Watching sparrows often contains more comedy than most half hour sitcoms.

  • Anonymous

    So Cory’s been stunned for years; that explains a lot!

  • jimmitude

    Simply awesome!

  • willykea

    Caught this guy in my backyard:

    http://picasaweb.google.com/willykea/BackyardVisitors#5295244873292449090

    Not an action shot but pretty cool nonetheless.