How I Name My Photographs

One of the most critical avian conservation initiatives involves banding birds during spring and fall migration. The trained professionals at the Erie Bird Observatory carefully catch, measure, and mark wild birds with unique, lightweight, numbered metal bands. I am currently training to become an assistant bird bander myself; a milestone I’ll never forget was my first "bird in hand"—a gorgeous Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca).

This scientific background informs how I catalog my work. I use the standard four-letter alpha codes used by bird banders—such as FOSP for a Fox Sparrow—followed by a unique encounter number to name every image in my collection.