Photoclubalpha

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

Sury