Cliff Swallows

Gallery: AvianPosted July 31, 201814,707 views6 comments

Solomon River, Nome, Alaska
2018:07:23 12:57:20
D850
250-550mm @ 550mm
1/6400 sec, f 8
Mode: Av
Metering: Center-weighted average
Exp comp: +1 1/3
ISO: 1000
White balance: Auto
Flash: Off
It's taken me 15 years to get one decent swallow-in-flight image.

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on July 31, 2018 at 11:28 AM

Sandy, well taken! A very good swallow in flight image. No nits at all! I am still trying to get a decent flight shot of a swallow. This shows it can be done!

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Kathy Snead on July 31, 2018 at 4:00 PM

Sandy

Very nice detail on these two swallows. Super to get two in one shot! They are so hard to photograph. I still don't have one! am noting your shutter speed, maybe that will help!

Registered on April 6, 2017, 104 Posts, 397 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on August 1, 2018 at 2:43 PM

Certainly is a fine image to get two in a single frame, as well as both in focus in a vertical framing. Exposure looks good and the gradient makes this pretty sweet. Of course I'm sure a little luck must have been involved enlightened

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on August 1, 2018 at 4:58 PM

"luck" = standing there for 4 hours, determined not to leave until I got something decent! Took about 2,000 images
Plus sweet Alaska light and a very practiced quick trigger finger!!
Cropped to vertical, since the horizontal image seemed awkward.

Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on August 1, 2018 at 4:59 PM

Nice job catching these, Sandy. We have four pairs nesting on the garage every year and I still don't have a flight shot. I saw your post on the crop and I'll be interested in seeing the results. This composition does work, but I suspect you can create a better one.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Minish on August 5, 2018 at 1:29 AM

Perseverance has paid off, Sandy! You not only got your in-flight swallow photo but you got two for the price of one! Excellent exposure and detail in this also, with clearly defined eyes, no less. The beautiful blue and white background is icing on the cake and really sets off the swallows. Great shot! devil

Registered on February 4, 2006, 625 Posts, 3583 Comments