Don’t Just Be an Observer.
You’re a Participant.
(Whether You Like It, or Not!)
© 2026 Estrella Udis
About Alon
Alon Feder is a late bloomer in the realms of nature photography and birding. It began for him in April of 2025, at the age of 63.
Though he purchased a Vivitar 35mm camera in 1980, he never truly put it through its paces. Like most people with a camera, it was about getting snapshots and creating memories of people he knew and places he visited.
Also in the 1980s, he adopted marketing as his career. He acquired a couple of Nikon digital cameras in the mid-1990s. These, he also used for casual shooting. In 2002, Alon purchased his first Nikon digital SLR, and a half-dozen lenses. He started helping his clients by taking photos, where a professional photographer would have cost too much or required more effort than necessary.
It was in mid 2024, and pushing 62, that for health reasons, Alon figured it would be good to walk and keep himself occupied by photographing the areas that he explored. At a nearby nature reserve, there was a huge variety of birds. In April of 2025, he began photographing those birds and passionately absorbing dozens of “how to” videos about photography—nature photography in particular. He also saw this as a good opportunity to take his unfriendly dog, Buddy, out for walks and extra bonding.
So, there was Alon, in his 60s, walking an inherently aggressive dog and taking photos. “How do you take photos while walking your dog?” he was frequently asked. It wasn’t much of a problem unless another dog walked by, or someone approached Buddy for a petting. Mostly, this sent Buddy into a frenzy (he is getting better, by the way).
As his photography skills improved, so did his passion for birding. Alon joined the local Audubon Society and began learning even more about birds, where to find them, and how to appreciate them that much more. He compared notes with fellow aficionados.
The rapidity with which his skills continued to improve seemed uncanny. Alon tapped into a natural ability to capture how a bird may appear to “feel…” (its individual character and personality). Alon’s passion is to catch the depth of spirit in our kindred souls and convey their uniqueness as individuals to you. You can “relate” to the living being in the photo.
Alon enjoys being an integral part of the birding community, finding rare birds and expressing how important it is that they continue to exist and thrive. Alon Feder hopes that what he feels (when he’s honoring each and every unique being) brings you a glimpse of the unspoken bond that we share. Knowing that these tiny fragments of visual life ignite something in you, is one of the most meaningful and humbling aspects of his existence. Alon was blessed with a gift from life itself. He doesn’t own it. He channels it. When it flows through him to you, he sees it as a celebration.
© 2026 Estrella Udis
© 2026 Estrella Udis
“If you see me and Buddy out and about, be sure to stop us to say, ‘Hello.” Just don’t get too close to Buddy (for now).”
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