Faheem Ijaz - Wildlife

🪶 In honor of a silent visitor

I took this photo at the start of the year on a cold day. I’ve been hearing this Red-tailed Hawk in my backyard again recently during work hours, but haven’t managed to photograph it again.

Sharing this older picture to honor his quiet return.

It’s not about the gear. It’s about freezing a moment that replays in your mind with even higher resolution.

Sachse, Texas | winter, 2024 | Canon T3i + Benoison Telephoto Manual Lens 420–800mm (Handheld)

He isn’t lost — He’s Migrating

I noticed this bird seemed different, so I used AI to generate a detailed description.

This small bird is a Dark-eyed Junco, often called a “snowbird.”

Every winter, Dark-eyed Juncos travel south from northern forests and mountains to places like Dallas, where the cold is gentler, and food is easier to find. Snowy days like this push them closer to the ground, quietly foraging for seeds and conserving energy until spring calls them home again.

Dallas, Texas | January 2026 | Canon T3i + Canon 55-250mm EF-S

Osprey - The Patient Hunter

I was at Lake Lavon with no real plan, maybe I’d get a photo, maybe I’d just sit and relax. Then he suddenly flew over me. I took the shot, but my settings were still set for slow motion, so it isn’t as sharp.

I’m grateful for what nature offered in that moment. Thank you.

Carolina Chickadee Welcomes Spring

I captured this moment in the deep shadows of the trees near Lake Lavon. Using a long lens (~600mm, f/7–8) with auto-ISO and a shutter speed around 1/1000, I tried to keep up with this small, fast-moving chickadee.

While processing, I aimed to preserve the scene's natural atmosphere despite the many branches and distractions.

Lake Lavon, Texas | Mar 2026 | Canon R50 + RF 200–800mm