As the hobby of birding grows, so does the art of photographing the feathered friends in the Lake Havasu City area.

Birding Facebook pages, books, field guides and more add to educating birders – with and without cameras – as to where to find them and how to “shoot” them.

A few White Pelicans have been seen in the Lake Havasu waters lately. Ken Gallagher/RiverScene

Local photographer Ken Gallagher offers some hints for getting just those shots that make bird photography rewarding and fun.

“Go Big. And by big, I mean big aperture and shutter speeds, big focal lengths, and most of all, a big number of shots,” Gallagher said. He added it’s also good practice for learning new lens capabilities.

His work here, as well as Rick Powell’s photos also featured, can inspire those ready to try their hand at wildlife and bird photography and a perfect opportunity is just around the corner.

Rick Powell/RiverScene

Birders are invited to participate in the Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count. Volunteers throughout the Americas take part in the adventure each year that is the longest-running annual wildlife census in North America. It has been happening for well more than 100 years.

This year, volunteers will be counting – and possibly photographing – birds at Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge Dec. 28, and at the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge Dec. 29.

Contact coordinator Kathleen Blair at 928-667-4144 or at Kathleen_blair@fws.gov for more information.

Photo Gallery By Ken Gallagher:

Photo Gallery By Rick Powell: