Q&A with James DeForrest
Jim DeForrest is a Whidbey Island wildlife photographer and the newest member of the Whidbey Audubon Society.
What brought you to Whidbey Island?
My wife, Kristy, grew up coming here in the summers, to a cabin that her father built on Lagoon Point in the 1960s. Her parents were educators, and they built the cabin using old growth timber they dragged from Lewiston, Idaho, and school building surplus supplies—vapor lights, playground benches… The cabin is still in the family. It’s like a time capsule.
Kristy and I bought a house on Lagoon Point in 2008. I’ve always spent time outdoors, and I like living in nature—with more wildlife, cleaner air, and no traffic.
How did you start photographing birds?
About six years ago, I picked up an inexpensive camera with a kit lens to take on a vacation with my brother to the Grand Canyon. During that trip, I photographed a vulture being pestered by raven. With that first shot, I got the bug.
I researched photography on YouTube and took online video workshops. Being a nerd and a lifelong gearhead, I wanted to know everything there was to know about photography and have all of the equipment. In the beginning, I just wanted to take good pictures. Then it turned into something else: learning about bird species, habitat, migration periods….
What are your favorite places to take photos?
Probably my favorite spot is the Crockett Lake area near Keystone ferry. It changes throughout the year—from Snow Buntings to Short-eared Owls to Herons to Pelicans to Northern Harriers, which is one of my favorite birds. I’ve also befriended a family that’s been farming on Ebey’s Landing for five generations. They let me know when they are going to be cutting straw or alfalfa or hay, because that creates a smorgasbord for the raptors I want to photograph.
Photo of pelicans by James DeForrest.
When is the best time to take pictures—and how do you set up?
The best time to take pictures is one hour after sunrise or two hours before sunset. Unless it’s overcast, then you can shoot all day long.
To set up, you need to be there before the birds are. In the beginning, I spent a lot of time chasing birds. Now, I have bird blinds and floats and camo blankets, and I’m ready at least an hour before the birds get there. In a lake, when I look like a bush, I’ve had Caspian Turns sit on my float or walk on my head and been six feet away from Great White Pelicans!
How did you get involved with Audubon?
It was a gradual process. I met two Audubon members—Sarah Schmidt and Jann Ledbetter—in the field, when I was taking photos. And I got to know Noel Nic’Fergusson, a wildlife photographer who owns Wild Birds Unlimited in Freeland. Noel told me: If you are going to get into bird photography, you need to get involved with Audubon. So I went to a meeting and told Jann that I’d like to get involved with Audubon—and she asked me if I wanted to be a board member!
Your photographs are beautiful! Where can people see your work?
My cards, calendars, and prints of birds are sold in a few local stores: Payless, Kingfisher in Coupeville, and Wild Birds Unlimited in Freeland. I’ve also been learning about landscape photography, and some of those photos are featured in the new book, Whidbey Island: An Insider’s Guide.
You can also see some of my earlier work on my website: jamesdeforrest.com
Final thoughts?
As a new board member, I’m still learning about everything that Audubon offers. I’m enthusiastic and eager to do whatever I can to make the Whidbey community aware of the wildlife that is at our fingertips. We have important areas, and we need to cherish and protect them.
