Swallows

[Almazar80]

There wasn't much going on (that we could see) at Huntley Meadows yesterday. So my friend and I decided to take pictures of swallows. So first I got this.

1. Swift as Swallows



Then two swallows flew into a bush for a quick rest.

2. One Branch, Two Swallows



Then I channeled my inner Luke Skywalker and felt the "force" flow all around me and got this.

3. Swallow Rising




The last picture was taken with a newly acquired Minolta 55mm MC Rokkor f1.7 lens (an oldie but goodie). Prefocused and went with the flow. Thanks for looking.

[Birma]

Lovely pictures Almazar. Swallows are really fast so I think your final shot is amazing. Nice capture of the birds on the branch as well. Summer must be on the way

[Almazar80]

Thank you for the comments. My friend and I were using zooms to take pictures of the birds and no AF can catch a swallow in full flight. It was time to pre focus the 55mm (longer lenses resulted in too narrow a field to actually get the swallow in the field of view and click the shutter in time). Just had to wait for a swallow to get close enough and in pre focused area. They move so quickly that it's basically a wing and a prayer kind of shot. Lots of luck, really, and something I probably would not have tried with a film camera. The old lens is great.

It is cool and rainy here in Northern Virginia. And afternoons are threatened by severe storms. Not much opportunity for taking pictures.

[Birma]

Your patience payed off! I will try to remember that technique for swallows.

[the_hefay]

I have often tried to get swallow shots but was never successful. Congrats on these great captures.

[sury]

Nice set. Love the first one for not being typical bird in flight.

Sury