It was actually hot today… until the afternoon when the mists rolled in once again and chilled the air. But it was good while it lasted, and the fine weather got me through the early morning and lunchtime well enough.
This shot was taken at just after 8.00am. It looks like a young woodpecker (a greater spotted), and nice to have the outline of a swift flying over.
The swifts were extremely active which gave me the chance later in the day to try the usually thankless task of photographing a swift over the water. Today I was in luck and this is by far the best low-flight shot of a swift I’ve managed.
Slightly easier (because slower) was this fledgling swallow.
And it was the fledglings that filled up the remainder of the camera’s data card. Not difficult when they make it this easy.
The sitting around has a purpose (of course). Staying still means the adults can find you again. And that means food. So much easier than trying to catch your own. The next three shots are consecutive frames (i.e. less than half a second for the lot).
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.
derWandersmann
29 Jun 2012Hmmm … the little chap on the left lost out, this trip.
Really nice shots, Words.
Words
30 Jun 2012dW, thanks. The little one on the left did better on some of the other circuits. There was plenty of cover under the trees which made getting a good angle quite tricky, but did help me get quite close without disturbing them.
gdare
30 Jun 2012Amazing to see a sequence that in real probably lasted for a second or two 😀
Words
30 Jun 2012Darko, it was barely a second. They are so quick at grabbing the food, and then the adult's away again. Non-stop… a minute or so later the whole sequence repeats itself.
Words
30 Jun 2012Erwin, thanks!
SittingFox
3 Jul 2012Unusual capture with the woodpecker and swift, and the swallow sequence is really great :up:
Words
3 Jul 2012Adele, it's a shame the swift didn't come into focus on the woodpecker shot, but it is at least recognisable! The swallows were oblivious to me. I spent a really enjoyable half hour watching them.
Wulpen
19 Oct 2012Nice shots