Swallow BIF's

nzmacro · Apr 5, 2014

I always thought the Kingfisher was fast until I came across these guys. I generally sit and watch without a camera for a long time and just follow their complete nutty actions. After a few days and visits I'll head back with what is needed.

New Zealand Welcome Swallows, probably a different name where you live, but that's what we call them here.

Off and about

Not much chance of freezing these wings without flash

Fast and erratic little suckers that's for sure

They remind me of a second world war fighter or bomber in flight

On the flyby circuit

Yep maybe a B52

Oops, better stop before I get carried away again

Sony NEX-7, Canon FD 500 F/4.5L, 1/4000, ISO 400 @ F/4.5

All the best as always folks.

Danny.

baturn · Apr 5, 2014

Excellent BIFs. They look a little, but not exactly, like our Barn Swallows.

DarkShadow · Apr 5, 2014

Dang theses are terrific and the bokeh is just yummy.:heart:

lambertpix · Apr 5, 2014

Remarkable. I tried catching swallows in flight a couple times, and I was thoroughly stymied. These are really fantastic shots -- hat's off to you!

BillM · Apr 5, 2014

I wait for them to land on something before I try to get a shot lol

These are really well done :hail:

WesternGuy · Apr 5, 2014

Great BIF shots. Having tried to catch some of our swallows in flight, I know how hard it can be to get really good ones such as these. Would you care to share the technical stuff - aperture, metering, exposure, etc?

WesternGuy

nzmacro · Apr 5, 2014

WesternGuy said:
Great BIF shots. Having tried to catch some of our swallows in flight, I know how hard it can be to get really good ones such as these. Would you care to share the technical stuff - aperture, metering, exposure, etc?

WesternGuy

It would be a pleasure to share the settings, but I always post those under the last shot

Sony NEX-7, Canon FD 500 F/4.5L, 1/4000, ISO 400 @ F/4.5

Watched these for two days on how they were flying, what they perched on and how they hunt on the water after launching off the perch. Used a monopod because I knew I would be there for awhile (and I'm getting old). I only own and use manual focus Canon lenses on the Sony NEX, MF just feels right for an old guy

All the best and yep, I always include the specs.

PS: BTW, an amazing shot. Congrats https://www.flickr.com/photos/westernguy/12211350674/

Danny.

JacaRanda · Apr 5, 2014

Really impressive catching swallows in flight like that. Kudos!

MSnowy · Apr 5, 2014

Very nice!

coastalconn · Apr 5, 2014

Very impressive catching them in flight with MF. They do look similar to our swallows..

robbins.photo · Apr 5, 2014

Excellent stuff, first rate shooting there.

TheNevadanStig · Apr 5, 2014

Wow, amazing shots. #1 and 6 are definitely my favorites!

WesternGuy · Apr 6, 2014

nzmacro said:
WesternGuy said:

Great BIF shots. Having tried to catch some of our swallows in flight, I know how hard it can be to get really good ones such as these. Would you care to share the technical stuff - aperture, metering, exposure, etc?

WesternGuy

Click to expand...

It would be a pleasure to share the settings, but I always post those under the last shot

Sony NEX-7, Canon FD 500 F/4.5L, 1/4000, ISO 400 @ F/4.5

Click to expand...

Watched these for two days on how they were flying, what they perched on and how they hunt on the water after launching off the perch. Used a monopod because I knew I would be there for awhile (and I'm getting old). I only own and use manual focus Canon lenses on the Sony NEX, MF just feels right for an old guy

All the best and yep, I always include the specs.

PS: BTW, an amazing shot. Congrats https://www.flickr.com/photos/westernguy/12211350674/

Danny.

Thanks for the specs. I guess I missed the posting under the last shot - oops :mrgreen:. Doing your homework and studying the subject is at least half the battle - good work on your part.

Thanks for your kind words on my shot. It was just one of those cases of being in the right place at the right time. It was shot in the Galapagos and I was the last one straggling down the beach as everyone else seemed to be in a hurry to return to the zodiacs. I was just walking by these guys in the sand when the squabble broke out. I have the whole sequence, but only posted one on my Flickr site - thanks for looking.

WesternGuy