Even though this bird from yesterday morning is what some folks would call “only a sparrow” two of the photos in this short series are already among my favorite takeoff or flight shots of any songbird species, ever.
1/5000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
The bird was perched on wild rose but it was just a little too far away to be as large in the frame as I prefer for static shots. But if it took off its wings would help to fill the frame so that’s what I prepared for. It was “aimed” in the right direction and the light was good so I made sure I had oodles of shutter speed and left room in the frame for the bird in the direction it would likely take off and hoped for the best.
With birds that’s about all you can do and an infinite number of things could still go wrong.
1/5000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
But man did I get lucky. The bird is sharp, I love the takeoff posture, there’s light in the eye, the background is clean and appealing and I even think the perch is reasonably attractive (the rose hip and cluster of dying leaves that slightly resemble a flower helped in that arena).
I quickly glanced at this shot on the back of my camera in the field and had high hopes for it but the bird action was hot and heavy so I didn’t take the time to scroll through any more photos. Why bother, small birds take off so fast there was little if any chance I’d still have the sparrow in the frame in the following shot anyway.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
But hot damn, I did!
And the sparrow wasn’t even so close to the left edge of the frame that an acceptable composition couldn’t be coaxed out of the image during processing. I suspect that one of the reasons I was able to keep the bird in frame for two shots was because the spindly perch was so flexible it slowed down forward acceleration when the sparrow pushed off.
I like the way a single toe appears to still be touching the leaf because it seems so… delicate. And because it reminds me of Michelangelo’s fresco painting “The Creation of Adam” (that’s meant to be an aesthetic reference, not a religious one). And I even like the fact that both the leg and the leaf are in shadow (not sure why I like the shadow part of that equation but I do).
I drove for over six hours yesterday morning in search of birds and I may or may not have photographed anything else of note but these two photos made all those miles worth it.
Ron
Note: If forced to get picky with either of the takeoff shots it would be that the sparrow in the second photo isn’t quite as sharp as it is in the first so during processing I added a little extra sharpening to the bird in that one.
I picked this nit just for you, Elephant’s Child… 🙂
Those takeoff shots are certainly not lacking in the “wow factor!” Wow! 🙂 I’m happy to see as many sparrows and other LBJs as you’re willing to post. This morning, I got to spend some time at a looooong stoplight with a little Phoebe who was singing away. Totally worth just missing the light. 🙂
Thanks, Marty. Sparrows and the like never garner as much interest from viewers (based on blog stats) but it’s kind of a mission of mine to promote interest in them as best I can.
Good for you and your phoebe.
Brautiful series! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the second shot!!! A fling shot and then some!!!
Thanks, Patty. I think it’s one of the best takeoffs I’ve ever photographed.
Capital WOW. Anyone who says ‘only’ about a bird. any bird, plunges down in my estimation. About as fast as the birds can move.
You nit-picked just for me? What an honour. Feel free to skip that next time.
EC, it’s sad how little interest and attention sparrows get from some quarters. I don’t understand it.
“I hate getting skunked”!! You and me both, but I have to say I’m happy to just get a decent shot or seeing some good birds/wildlife when I’m out!
Great shots Ron, like them all.
I was completely skunked this morning, Dick. Maybe I jinxed myself when I wrote that…
Your talent with small birds is, as always, impressive. I suspect many “bird” photographers don’t even attempt to capture what you get after they try it for a while with countless failures. Another success story due to your perseverance. Thanks Ron!
It took me years before I attempted shots like this, Frank. And then more years of trying and always failing before I eventually had some success.
YES! Both photo’s are just flat gorgeous! 🙂 🙂 That does remind one of the Michael Angelo painting – just “touching” the earth.;) The wing feather detail is beautiful – LBJ’s have their own beauty……:)
I agree about the beauty of LBJ’s, Judy. It’s more subtle but then I like subtle…
Wow! Two great shots, even if the second one isn’t as sharp (which my eyes can’t detect, anyway). I love being able to see the feather patterns on the wings. I like your reference to “The Creation of Adam”, but like your photo better than the actual painting. Maybe because we were herded unceremoniously through the Sistine Chapel when we were there, and there was little opportunity to study and really appreciate the paintings. The background in your photo is definitely less busy than the one in the painting… By the way, I like Chipping Sparrows, so was glad to see these photos. One of the things I like is that they are pretty readily identifiable.
I’ve never seen the actual painting but I’ve always thought it was interesting, Susan. Thanks.
Wow! Incredible shots. My wife and I like sparrows. We’ve had nests of them next to our deck a number of times, and have had a lot of opportunity to observe them. We’ve read about their mating habits in wikipedia have grown to really appreciate them.
Thanks, Brett. Agreed, sparrows are just as interesting as other birds.
Outstanding photos Ron. Takeoff photos take patience, skill, and dumb luck, and you got them all in this series. Just the other day I was taking photos of a beautiful Common Blackhawk here. I was close to him/her and was using the sports action feature on my camera. I knew he was going to go any second so I was taking continuous bursts of three or four at a time. And then of course he took off the instant one of the bursts finished and I was not fast enough to catch him. Thanks for sharing these Ron.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
Everett, I’ve found that I don’t need to use pre-takeoff bursts on larger raptors like buteos. They’re so large and slow that I can wait until they begin to take off before firing away. Thank you.
WOW! What an outstanding series Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
“Hot Damn” and “among my favorites” indeed!
Congratulations on these exceptional images.
I appreciate the congrats, Dave.
Yes, Ron– I once that good feeling when I captured a pellet just as an American Kestrel disgorged it. The photo was not one for the wall, but the event, despite being due to dumb luck, was memorable indeed.
There’s nothing at all wrong with dumb luck, Ken. In bird photography luck (of both kinds) is very often a significant component of our images. After all, birds are among the most quirky and unpredictable photo subjects on the planet.
You are such a wonderful educator and photographer and what beautiful photos you take.. Every morning it is a joy to see and read about your adventure. What a dedication you have to post everyday.
What a nice thing to say, LK – much appreciated.
Some folks might call that “dedication” a little crazy and I’d be hard-pressed to dispute them… 🙂
WoW! I do believe it is near perfection on those two! 😍 I couldn’t be nit-picky with any of them. That catch-light just draws you to those eyes and you definitely get the feel he is looking right at you. Love the rose hip and leaf color of the second one…really completes the photo. Isn’t it amazing how you can spend six hours driving and looking and one serious shot or set makes it all worth it. Only another birder would truly understand that feeling!
“Only another birder would truly understand that feeling!”
Or bird photographer…
At the beginning of trips like this I often say out loud “Hope we find a bird today”. Not birds, just a bird. After all I don’t want to be greedy and it truly only takes one “good bird” to save the day. I hate getting skunked!
Thanks, Kathy.