When I took this Common Nighthawk photo on my last trip up to Tishomingo NWR I lined up the shot to have the moon behind the bird on purpose.

Resting Common Nighthawk at first light, Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge, Johnston County, OklahomaResting Common Nighthawk at first light – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/400, ISO 640, +1.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I knew the moon wouldn’t be in focus, there isn’t an aperture setting on my camera that would allow me to do that. The moon is a long way from where the nighthawk was perched. About 238,000 miles actually.

But I liked the white semicircular area behind the Common Nighthawk. It was merely a choice of aesthetics for me.

On the plus side, the nighthawk had its eyes open more than I usually get to see or photograph.

I drove back to where I photographed this nighthawk about an hour later hoping to have more sunlight on the bird but it had apparently flown off.

There was a family with young children near the tree I found the nighthawk in, maybe that was just too “peoply” for the bird. I can’t be sure because I wasn’t there to see it lift off.

Sometimes things can get a bit too “peoply” for me as well and I tend to escape it when I can too; especially rude, screaming, or otherwise inconsiderate people. I much prefer nature to that kind of drama. Always.

The moon with a Common Nighthawk in front of it, Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge, Johnston County, OklahomaThe moon with a Common Nighthawk in front of it – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/500, ISO 640, +1.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I wanted to include this photo of the moon with the out of focus Common Nighthawk in front of it. That nighthawk is a terribly out of focus, dark lump when the moon is in focus.

Now that I’ve found the nighthawks at the refuge on more than one occasion, they can be very easy for me to spot.

Common Nighthawks are only in my area during the summer and their breeding season. I plan on photographing them every chance I get wherever I find them!

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Common Nighthawk photos plus facts and information about this species.