Thursday, June 29, 2006

Where's Waldo?

The first Where's Waldo? children's book was published in 1987. Since that time, Waldo has become a world-wide phenomenon. More books followed, plus a short TV series, plus several video games.

Waldo wears blue pants, a red-and-white striped shirt and a red-and-white hat. The object of the stories is to find Waldo, who is hidden somewhere in a crowd. He also loses things, so sometimes the reader/player has to help him find his stuff too.

As I walked in the park last night, I found myself engaged in my own game of Where's Waldo?. I watched a little bird fly into a tree about fifty yards away from me. Since I had tracked its flight, I had an idea where he had landed. I picked up my camera and focused on the area where I thought he was. Check out the photo below. He's hidden in the foliage.


You've probably spotted him, but just in case you need some help, I've marked his place in the next photo.

I wasn't sure that I had actually gotten the bird in the photo until I uploaded it onto my computer. I marveled at the amazing camouflage that the foliage provided for the bird. If I hadn't tracked its flight, I never would have found him the tree.

One final photo, a closer crop of the bird,is provided below. I suspect that many bird enthusiasts would not be impressed with any of these photos, especially the one below. The idea behind most bird photos is to get an unimpeded view of the bird. I like those shots as well as the next person and I love it on those rare occasions when I get them. Nevertheless, the thing I like about this series is that it's completely natural. In most encounters between human and avian species, the avians either flee or hide from the predatory humans. These photos document that phenomenon realistically. They may not be art, but they are true to life.

2 comments:

Barbara said...

I was able to find him, but I had to look good and hard.

So I take it the park isn't under water then?

Evie said...

Actually, the lower section is pretty soggy. The trails in that section are either plain dirt or graveled track. I tried to walk there but quickly gave it up. I ended up spending most of my time at the top of the hill in the upper section, which has paved walkways.