Bullet With Wings.

[Steve S]

You have know idea how many clicks it took to get one in focus Heavy crop, but my best so far.

[MiniChris]

great shot! that's a toughie!

[Steve S]

great shot! that's a toughie!

Thanks chris. I would imagine with a 1D series camera, it wouldn't be so hard, but with a 40D it's very challenging. If you see an idiot in a field ,spinning in circles with a camera, that would be me

[MiniChris]

Thanks chris. I would imagine with a 1D series camera, it wouldn't be so hard, but with a 40D it's very challenging. If you see an idiot in a field ,spinning in circles with a camera, that would be me

That's a hard shot with any camera...really, nice!

[ScoutR]

If you see an idiot in a field ,spinning in circles with a camera, that would be me

Or me


Hi Steve good shot. I'm not sure if mine are the same kind of bird, but I've spent a few hours (not all on the same day though) spinning in circles trying to get a shot of these guys, so your comment made me laugh. I don't know why I bother because I know I will not get a good shot. They are far too fast and small, but it's hard to resist when you see them swooping and diving. I think they must be great bug catchers because the farmers have nesting boxes all around their properties, and they certainly seem to want them there. I have not looked up the type of bird yet. I take it yours is some type of swallow, I thought mine was too, but looking at it now I am not so sure.
Here are 2 other shots of mine that are not good but better than any of the MANY I tried. Taken 2 different days and places, but I think the same type of bird.




I was so dizzy, I couldn't even get it right when they settled in a tree.


AND THEN to top it off this was taken the same day. If you look closley you will see a deer. It was so far away and I thought it was a deer and I watched and watched but it did not move, not even a flick of the ear, so I thought it must be a piece of farm equipment or something in the field, I took a shot anyway and when I got finished spinning around after the birds the "farm equipment" was gone. I'm just posting this because I was so excited - I have not seen a deer out on the trail for years. Everyone tells me they are there, but I never ever see them.



Well, I'm obviously tired and I'm rambling and posting horrible pictures, but I just want to say that I can really appreciate the effort that must go into your wildlife shots.
Oh, another thing before I try to get to sleep - I think with those birds if you sit and watch them for awhile they have a flight pattern that they keep repeating. Figuring out the pattern and then hoping they stick to it might be the key for getting a better shot???

Wendy

[Bobobird]

Swallows in flight are very very difficult. Have tried it many many times but never one that is worth even pp'ing.

Nice captures of a very tough subject.

Moral of posted pics - perseverance !!

[Steve S]

Or me


Hi Steve good shot. I'm not sure if mine are the same kind of bird, but I've spent a few hours (not all on the same day though) spinning in circles trying to get a shot of these guys, so your comment made me laugh. I don't know why I bother because I know I will not get a good shot. They are far too fast and small, but it's hard to resist when you see them swooping and diving. I think they must be great bug catchers because the farmers have nesting boxes all around their properties, and they certainly seem to want them there. I have not looked up the type of bird yet. I take it yours is some type of swallow, I thought mine was too, but looking at it now I am not so sure.
Here are 2 other shots of mine that are not good but better than any of the MANY I tried. Taken 2 different days and places, but I think the same type of bird.




I was so dizzy, I couldn't even get it right when they settled in a tree.


AND THEN to top it off this was taken the same day. If you look closley you will see a deer. It was so far away and I thought it was a deer and I watched and watched but it did not move, not even a flick of the ear, so I thought it must be a piece of farm equipment or something in the field, I took a shot anyway and when I got finished spinning around after the birds the "farm equipment" was gone. I'm just posting this because I was so excited - I have not seen a deer out on the trail for years. Everyone tells me they are there, but I never ever see them.



Well, I'm obviously tired and I'm rambling and posting horrible pictures, but I just want to say that I can really appreciate the effort that must go into your wildlife shots.
Oh, another thing before I try to get to sleep - I think with those birds if you sit and watch them for awhile they have a flight pattern that they keep repeating. Figuring out the pattern and then hoping they stick to it might be the key for getting a better shot???

Wendy

Hahahahaha, I'm glad i'm not the only spinning idiot You got some nice shots wendy. At least you found a place they land.

You are right, they do fly a pattern..........................................A T MACH 1.

[Ollokot]

Very very well done Steve,good shot,well done also to Wendy.
I myself have had manys a dizzy spell trying to capture swallows and swifts in flight,all to no avail,just blurs and bits of wings and tails.
However to quote a line I once heard in a movie....I SHALL ENDEAVOUR TO PERSEVERE
Best Wishes,Pat

[Donald]

Having many a time sat with a glass of wine out in the garden enthralled by the swallows and housemartins as they feed in the evening, I am full of admiration for the spinning idiots who make these images. Well done to both of you. I wouldn't even attempt it - I'd do myself some serious injury!

And as for:

I love it. There's humour and compassion in that picture.

[Dave Humphries]

Add me to the list of spinning idiots too

Good effort Steve (and Wendy)

All my recent attempts went 'in the bin'

[wilgk]

Hey Dave make room in that bin for me!
I have tried with no success to capture a half decent bird in flight to no avail...
Steve thankyou again for sharing your work, I always enjoy it very much