Swallow feeding time

Came across these young swallows being fed on a fence and managed to get close to them and spent a good while photographing them. I was standing on a tidal mud flat and yes the tide came in – just got a bit wet, but remembered to put the camera bag on my back!
Would have liked more catchlight in the feeding bird’s eye, but I think the nictitating membrane covers the eye as soon as they approach.
D2x 500mm, f9, 1/800, ISO 200. Slight crop from all sides
Cheers Simon

Hello Simon
Nicely caught, but I bet you were kicking yourself for not having some flash with you to brig out the shadows a bit more..
Best wishes
Phil

Hi Simon, a good action-shot. I'm with Phil on the shadows, but still it's showing some great behaviour

You know I don't believe your fence ends like that. Great bird action, makes me wish I could run from work and find some doing the same, still doesn't take much for that feeling to come on.



Tim

Hi Tim
How could you tell I had cloned out the fence, farm building and red tractor? No the fence really does end just like that over a ditch, more examples
http://www.simonhawtin.co.uk/Swallows.htm
Should have tried with the flash but I rarely think to use it. It was very easy to blow the white under the wing depending on the wing position.
Cheers Simon

Great action image, it would have been better with flash but I would still be more than happy with it this result.

Nice one

Hi simon a very nice image, if taken in raw use dee in nc4.4 to lighten the shadows.

Phillip.

Hi Simon

A well caught moment, I can forgive the shadows for the excellent action you have caught here.

cheers

Sean

An opportunity well taken with nice timing, but the light is rather harsh. The cut fence does look rather strange, ending as abruptly as it does. I think I preder one of the other shots on your website which has the chicks in a better position, and which also shows the adult dropping the fly .

Good action shot, in spite of all that is mentioned, it is still appealing.