In many of the species I photograph, individuals look very similar if not identical.  This anonymity can be magnified when they congregate.  But sexual dimorphism, distinct color morphs, unique behaviors, and scars are indicators that can be used to identify specific individuals.  These little clues can be picked up with close observation.  After repeated excursions to the same locations, I’ve come to recognize individual birds and fish through my photography.  Recognizing an individual is always exciting, especially if I’ve been too busy to get out and shoot.  Here, I provide small anecdotes about some of the individuals I’ve met through my photography.

Anna’s hummingbird #1

I discovered this Anna’s hummingbird near a location I frequent for shorebirds.  When I visit week after week, it flies back and forth between three pristine perches.  It started off shy, not letting me approach very close.  My Sony A7Riii’s mechanical shutter startled it, so I usually had to use the electronic shutter and shoot silently.  After many weeks of returning to this individual, it doesn’t seem to worry about my presence.  It let me move closer and would land next to me after it had flown away.  Due to its predictability, I’ve practiced using fill flash for a few shots on this incredible hummingbird.

Kelp rockfish

I just logged my 400th dive in my SCUBA career.  A majority were around the Monterey Peninsula, and most of those were in the Carmel Bay.  While studying microhabitat associations of Kelp rockfish for a year, I recorded over 1,000 observations of the species.  Kelp rockfish display a wide range of color morphs and patchiness patterns, from almost pure white to deep browns.  I was able to recognize this specific individual across a few dives due to the distinct scar its left side.  It was exciting returning to the same patches of giant kelp and finding this fish.  This individual fish lived amongst dozens of other rockfish in a kelp 60’ deep kelp forest.

Pair of Eurasian collared doves

In my opinion, these goofy doves make one of the most hilarious bird sounds.  Not far from the hummingbird I visit every week, there are two Eurasian collared doves that have claimed a tree as their own.  These two are almost always together.  Being near the Moss Landing harbor, they sometimes share their space with sparrows, Brewer’s blackbirds, and kingfishers.  Unfortunately they never drop down at eye level, making photography difficult.

Vermilion rockfish

Just across the beach from the Kelp rockfish observation live two large Vermilion rockfish.  The smaller of the two is much more orange, while the larger one has more complicated silver patches on its body.  These large, vibrant rockfish really stand out from the other species on the reef.   I dove nearly every day in the summer of 2018.  I would regularly find these individuals in the same areas of the reef as they had been seen the day before.  Since they were pretty large, these individuals could outcompete other rockfish for the best crevices.  Occasionally, it felt as if they would emerge just to greet us on our dives.

California Thrasher

I’ve only recently begun to notice these birds all around me.  California thrashers have long and recognizable songs, which is usually the first clue that one is around.  Next, they have long, downward-sloping bills, almost like a shorebird.  This individual often perches at one of my favorite beaches in Carmel, California.  When I go to the beach for photography at sunset, its loud calls can be heard between the crashing waves.

Anna’s Hummingbirds #2

During the last two years of my undergraduate degree at CSU Monterey Bay, I lived in an apartment approximately two miles away from the campus.  During my morning longboard commute to campus, I always stopped at a building with planters full of flowers.  These planters attracted several Anna’s hummingbirds.  They were very active in the mornings, darting from perch to perch and buzzing each other away.  Unfortunately, the university found it necessary to remove all of the flowers seasonally.  So there were several month-long absences in watching these fun birds.

White-Tailed Kite

Lastly, I noticed this White-tailed kite perched on the same tree during my runs.  Turkey vultures and crows will sometimes bother it, possibly over a recent kill its made.  I’ve only managed to photograph it twice.  Timing the behavior of these birds with the best light is more of a challenge than with other birds.  It seems like this individual is most active in the worst light!

Thank you for stopping by my website.  I hope you have enjoyed this short read and accompanying photographs.  Please follow my Instagram if you would like to stay up to date with my wildlife observations.  Have you ever known an individual wild animal and encountered them on numerous occasions?