Blue Mountains News

Many of my friends don’t realise the true extent of the rich nature around them, as they had never been deprived of it. Even still, friends outside of the mountains struggle to understand the flora and fauna, as I often find myself unable to describe using words alone. However, a few years ago at Springwood Highschool, I was given a unique opportunity to express my gratitude and awe for the Blue Mountains in a different way.

Every year, the school hosts a photography competition for the students, around the theme of Spring on Dharug Country, where teachers from various faculties judge a series of photographs from the students over the course of four weeks. Each week had a different subject of interest. The first week was for the magpie, the second week was for the kookaburra, the third was for cockatoos, and the final week was for any Australian native animal.

I first became aware of this competition in 2023. Having no prior experience, and only my mum’s regular camera, I ventured into my backyard to try and snap any photo I could, focusing on birds in particular as they were abundant and very dear to me. Most of the birds that I photographed were ones most people are familiar with, such as Sulphur-crested Cockatoos and Black-backed Magpies, as well as Crimson Rosellas, King Parrots, and Brown Cuckoo-doves. I was quite lucky in that my garden was very attractive to them, as there was an old drained swamp right next door that had remained untouched for years. However if birds were ever lacking, I would always pop down to the local fire trail, where I would see plenty more birds such as New Holland honeyeaters and Grey fantails.

Though this was just a fun competition between students, I wanted to take the best photos I could. However, this seemed a daunting task, especially after seeing all the professional photographers online, with their huge bulky cameras and perfect clear backgrounds. Since I didn’t have any of that, I set out doing the next best thing, experimenting. A typical photoshoot went like this:

•       Find a bird less flighty than the others (typically a cockatoo)
•       Take a photo
•       Get closer
•       Take a photo
•       Get closer
•       Take a photo

As I did this, I learnt more about bird behaviour, and how to act around them. I learnt to avoid prolonged eye contact, lest I spook them. I learnt how to read their body language, such as raised crests signaling caution or the degree of “fluffyness” signalling comfort. I learnt that the best way to get closer was to look slightly away from them, move slowly, and keep your limbs close to your body so as not to break your silhouette. Eventually, with the help of the local magpie and a little luck, I snapped a photo of a cockatoo in flight, right in front of the camera! That week, I won the award for Cockatoo Week. But thanks to this competition, a new interest had been sparked within me.

I have continued my newfound hobby since that competition, not only photographing and sharing native birdlife with other people, but also gaining a deeper appreciation for the birds myself through still images, and learning ever more about their unique behaviour. I learnt to tell the difference between male and female Crimson Rosellas through behaviour and appearance (males tend to have slightly squarer heads and a slightly larger beak in proportion to their size). I witnessed a flock of Sulphur-crested Cockatoos (birds that I thought I was familiar with) rush to a tree, where they performed the most bizarre series of sounds. Each individual would first make a short, low rough sound, then a prolonged screech, and thirdly a long whistle that sounded almost identical to the Yellow-tailed Black cockatoos! They did this in waves, though to this day I haven’t been able to figure out why. My best guess was some sort of fear response, as they had been startled prior to perching on the trees.

Through learning their behaviours and body language, I also got better at photography. Learning how to read stress and discomfort greatly helps to formulate a plan of approach while allowing them to stay comfortable and continue engaging in natural, wild activities. A general way to get birds to like you (without bribery) is to become a regular visitor, without disturbing them, which can be accomplished by staying silent and still. As they got more used to my presence, I was able to get closer and snap more close-up photographs. However, you don’t necessarily need to get close to get good photos, that’s just my style. Many great compositions include a large landscape in the background, or focus on the movement of the subject rather than the form. With the help of a few YouTube videos, I also learnt editing, first using my laptop’s in-built photo editor, then using Canva, and finally Adobe Lightroom.

I have now completed the HSC, and no longer attend Springwood Highschool. However, that little competition they hold every year inspired me to pursue a new hobby, one that would allow me to better appreciate and share the natural beauty around me. Through sheer determination and just constant experimentation, I found a style I liked, leading to me starting an Instagram page (@birdsbysheikh). After a couple years, I was featured in the PRIZMA Photography magazine from Scotland, and since then I have been passionately continuing my hobby of photographing local birds, using nothing but my mum’s camera and a laptop.