A Bird in Hand...

This is not figurative, but literally, a bird in hand.

The Bird Hand Book is a collection of photographs that Victor Schrager took of more than 100 species of birds held in the hands by ornithologists. From an interview with Schrager on the site:
You must feel a strong connection with birds to begin such a massive project – what do they represent for you?
Actually, my interest at the beginning was in the birds' names – the poetic and allusive qualities that their names present. I felt there might be an interesting irony between the vagueness of generalized bird forms and the specificity of the names. The fascinating detail and structure of the birds, in combination with the variable element of the hands quickly caused the project to take a different direction. When I began, I had no great expertise or particular interest in birds, and certainly not in the traditional practice of bird watching with binoculars, but observing birds from so close and intimate a vantage point (I say that I photographed the birds at the same distance that one reads a book) is a wonderful way to learn about them...

Are there specific challenges related to photographing birds?
It is perversely difficult to photograph moving, agitated animals up close with a view camera, yet it imposes a worthwhile discipline and yields interesting results.

The collection of images is beautiful and facinating, with a touch of the sureal. All you see is the bird and the hand holding the bird. No arm, no person, and that, to me, is what creates the surreal aspect of each image. I hope that you enjoy viewing this collection as much as I did.