The warm weather is just about hanging on at the moment, but it's been relatively quiet on the photography front. Still, the aerial acrobats were doing their stuff over the pond. The swallows defeated me (they came in too close), but the house martins were more cooperative, coming in at a slower pace and a good height.
The swifts were busy too. I tried to get some shots as they swept down over the water but ended up empty handed. This one is more conventional (swift against blue sky), but with the bird open mouthed as it pillages the sky for insects.
Two rather easier targets to complete the picture. First one of the younger pair of goslings.
And to close, two terrapins basking in the morning sun. 
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens.
derWandersmann
30 May 2012Nice ones, Words … especially the martin! The swifts, nighthawks, and (I think) whip-poor-wills, have those gigantic mouths … one wonders why they need beaks. They remind me of whale sharks or manta rays.
Words
31 May 2012dW, they are indeed like flying fish. And swifts of course have an absolutely tiny beak, just that gaping maw to gather up everything in range. I think I read an estimate of around 40,000 insects a day. :faint:
SittingFox
2 Jun 2012Excellent shot of the gaping swift :chef:
Words
3 Jun 2012Adele, thanks! I was pleased finally to get a shot like that. 😀