How We Photographed the Toll of Bird Flu in Chicago
What makes this photo great?
A lot of elements came together in this grim photo in which Annette Prince, director of the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors, recovers a dead red-breasted merganser. While Prince was trying to keep from tripping over the large ice chunks on the beach, the merganser went slack in her hand, leading to a better visual of what she’s holding. Cloudy skies and rough waters added to the tone of this image.
The biggest element that brings this photo together is Chicago’s iconic skyline in the background. I purposefully composed this image to use the skyline as a scene setter, so that the viewer would instantly know that this wasn’t just some stock image from somewhere in the world. This was right here in Chicago.
How did you get the shot?
While on my way to a portrait assignment at the University of Chicago, I decided to check out 35th Street Beach to get photos of weather features. When I got to the roundabout near the parking lot, I noticed two vehicles with the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors logo on them, and understood almost instantly that they were likely on the beach recovering dead birds.
I rushed out, ran over to where Annette Prince was and started photographing her doing her grim job. When she recovered the third red-breasted merganser on the beach, I ran to her right side to try to get the Chicago skyline in the photo to add more visual context.
A lot of what goes into these types of photos is being in the right place at the right time and thinking incredibly fast on your feet. This wasn’t my assignment. This was something I was doing to kill time before my real assignment. I had to squeeze as much creativity as I could in as short amount of time as possible while also conducting basic general journalistic practices, including taking count of how many dead birds were on the beach, getting contact phone numbers for reporters to follow up and conducting an interview with Prince on the beach.
Technical details:
- Equipment: Nikon Z with a 24-70mm f2.8 lens
- Focal length: 30mm
- Aperature: f/4.5
- Exposure: 1/800 second
- ISO: 200
16 more great photos from the Sun-Times staff
Large Waves crash into a pier near Oakwood Beach ahead of an ice storm that will hit the Chicago area Wednesday evening, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
…
Conclusion
The toll of bird flu in Chicago is a sobering reminder of the impact that disease can have on our environment and our communities. Through our photography, we aim to bring attention to this important issue and to inspire action to protect our feathered friends.
FAQs
Q: What is bird flu?
A: Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a type of influenza that affects birds. It is caused by the influenza A virus and can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces.
Q: How is bird flu spread?
A: Bird flu is typically spread through contact with infected birds, such as through their droppings or by touching contaminated surfaces.
Q: What are the symptoms of bird flu in humans?
A: The symptoms of bird flu in humans are similar to those of the common flu, including fever, cough, and sore throat. In severe cases, bird flu can cause pneumonia, respiratory failure, and even death.
Q: How can I protect myself from bird flu?
A: To protect yourself from bird flu, avoid contact with infected birds, wash your hands frequently, and avoid touching contaminated surfaces. If you are experiencing symptoms of bird flu, seek medical attention immediately.
