"Dogfighters"

Gallery: AvianPosted December 21, 2010229 views18 comments

Two Chipping Sparrows in an aerial "dogfighting" display.
Trying for a better shot, we've had clear sunny days lately so I'll give it a go until I get what I'm after..
F/10, 1/2000th, ISO 800, Canon 1D M3, 300mm f/2.8 + 1.4x ext. 80% of FF

Comments

18 comments

Comment posted by Giorgio Gregori on December 21, 2010 at 9:22 AM

Excellent image of behavior, certainly not easy to obtain. It shows how you can get beautiful pictures also with common subjects. Extraordinary dynamism and focus where you need it .
Congrats .
Giorgio

Registered on November 16, 2007, 87 Posts, 793 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on December 21, 2010 at 9:41 AM

Great action Howard! I like the comp, the background and the interaction between the birds.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Harris on December 21, 2010 at 9:45 AM

I like the action displayed by the blurred wings with the sharp focus on the heads of the two Sparrows. I have been trying for a shot like this in my back yard and have not come close to your results. I love the action.

Registered on August 2, 2010, 169 Posts, 741 Comments

Comment posted by Lee fisher on December 21, 2010 at 11:24 AM

cracking action shot

Lee

Registered on September 10, 2010, 13 Posts, 89 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Conway on December 21, 2010 at 12:13 PM

Terrific interaction and dynamic poses. Great timing

Peter

Registered on June 25, 2007, 347 Posts, 3913 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on December 21, 2010 at 12:31 PM

Excellent action shot. The focus, dof and the background are right on. Great image.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on December 21, 2010 at 1:24 PM

Howard,
as others said, extraordinary action shot.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Luca Mussato on December 21, 2010 at 3:10 PM

Dynamically interesting and a behavior well reported. if only the rightmost bird had the head turned left...
Nothing you could have done, anyway.

Cheers, Luca

Registered on November 14, 2006, 118 Posts, 855 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on December 21, 2010 at 3:21 PM

Incredible action shot. What are they fighting about at this time of the year? Food? Nice focus, background, light, etc. Very cool. Next I am sure you will get them to fight parallel to you so you can see both face well.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by wade pettitt on December 21, 2010 at 5:22 PM

Neat shot howard, keep after them and you will get them.

Registered on May 6, 2009, 184 Posts, 471 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on December 21, 2010 at 6:04 PM

I have no doubt you will get the image you seek Howard. Keep up the chase. Nice action here. Nice BG too.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Lusk on December 21, 2010 at 7:37 PM

Good shot!

I've been trying for the past couple of years for a shot like this - usually with Pine Siskins - but haven't gotten anything near as good as this.

Registered on September 17, 2005, 312 Posts, 600 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on December 21, 2010 at 8:30 PM

These birds move really fast. I'm impressed with the sharpness on the head. Good job.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on December 21, 2010 at 9:05 PM

Awesome action Howard!!!

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on December 21, 2010 at 9:53 PM

Sweet action Howard, I'd love a little bit more dof for the back bird but I realize the difficulties in taking these types of shots. I'm looking forward to the next effort.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 22, 2010 at 9:29 AM

The action makes the shot Howard. I like that we can see just enough of the bill tip of the right bird to see its aggression. Good luck in your endeavor to get even better shots of this behavior.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on December 22, 2010 at 11:56 AM

Cool Howard! Certainly conveys the moment very well, and that's all you can ask for a shot like this.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Srinivasan Periath on December 23, 2010 at 11:59 AM

Congratulations! The behaviour and the action well captured. Cheers!

Registered on January 6, 2010, 12 Posts, 21 Comments