Field Notes in Focus

Celebrate spring migration and sharpen your bird photography skills while learning to capture birds in motion and at rest.

Field Notes in Focus: Bird Photography

Location: South River Trail-Gresham Park Recreation Center side

Program Overview

Celebrate the excitement of spring bird migration during this Field Notes in Focus session with nature and wildlife photographer Don Orkoskey.

Across the birding world, May is a time when people everywhere step outside to observe and celebrate birds. During this special morning program, participants will explore the landscape around Gresham Park Recreation Center while learning practical techniques for photographing birds in natural settings.

Don will share tips on camera settings, lenses, timing, and field awareness that help photographers capture birds both in motion and perched in their habitats. Participants will practice photographing birds in real time while developing the patience and observation skills that bird photography requires.

Organized and supported by Naturalist Tasha Messer, the experience also encourages participants to slow down, listen for bird activity, and notice how birds move through the landscape during spring migration.

Photographers of all experience levels are welcome—whether using a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or smartphone.

Program Leader

Led by: Don Orkoskey
Supported by: Naturalist Tasha Messer, DeKalb County RPCA

Weather Contingency

This program will be held rain or shine unless conditions are deemed unsafe by DeKalb County RPCA leadership.

Where to Meet

Gresham Park Recreation Center
3113 Gresham Rd SE
Atlanta, GA 30316

There is ample parking available in the main lot near the recreation center. We will gather at the trailhead near the recreation center building and adjacent small baseball field before heading out to explore the surrounding greenspace and nearby bird habitat.

Public restrooms are available inside the recreation center during operating hours.

What to Bring

Wear weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes suitable for paved paths and grassy park areas. Bring a refillable water bottle and any personal comfort items you prefer for outdoor exploration.

Participants are encouraged to bring:

• Camera or smartphone (phone photographers welcome)
• Telephoto or zoom lens if available
• Extra batteries and memory cards
• Binoculars (optional but helpful for spotting birds)
• Notebook for observations or bird sightings

Recommended Ages

This program is designed for adults and older youth, though all ages are welcome.

What We’ll Do

Participants will begin near the recreation center and explore the surrounding park landscape where birds frequently gather during spring migration.

Along the way, Don will demonstrate techniques used by wildlife photographers to photograph birds, including how to anticipate movement, manage camera settings for motion, and frame birds within their environment.

Participants will pause at several observation points to practice photographing birds while Naturalist Tasha highlights how seasonal migration, habitat, and bird behavior influence what we see in the field.

This session blends photography instruction, observation, and outdoor exploration, creating opportunities to capture memorable images while learning how to read the landscape like both a photographer and a naturalist.

You Will Leave With

• Practical bird photography techniques you can use immediately
• Strategies for photographing birds in motion and at rest
• Greater awareness of bird behavior and timing in the field
• New ways of observing bird activity within the landscape
• A deeper appreciation for spring migration and bird conservation
• Fresh images captured during your time outdoors

Walking Distance / Physical Activity Level

This program includes approximately 1–1.25 miles of easy walking around the park grounds and nearby greenspace surrounding Gresham Park Recreation Center.

The pace is relaxed with frequent pauses for observation and photography. Terrain includes paved walkways, grass, and compact natural surfaces.

Participants should be comfortable standing for periods of time while observing and photographing birds.

Accessibility (ADA Statement)

DeKalb County Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs strives to make all programs accessible to persons of all abilities. If you require reasonable accommodations, please contact the program organizer at least 48 hours in advance.

Participation Notice & Waiver Summary

By registering for or attending this program, participants acknowledge that outdoor activities involve natural terrain, physical exertion, and variable conditions. Participation is voluntary, and individuals assume responsibility for their personal safety.

DeKalb County Government, the Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs, and all affiliated staff and partners are held harmless from any claims or injuries arising from participation.

Naturalist Tasha
DeKalb County Parks Naturalist
404-927-4227