I find getting quality photos of songbirds in flight to be almost impossible – they’re just too small and fast for me to lock on to long enough to get them sharp and near the middle of the frame so nothing is clipped. But I do keep trying and occasionally things work out.
1/3200, f/5.6, ISO 500. 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, canvas added for composition
Four days ago I photographed this Western Meadowlark while it was perched on a sagebrush but it wasn’t quite close enough to get great detail so I decided to set up and wait for a flight shot. From the direction it was facing on the perch I figured I might be able to get a pleasing angle on the meadowlark in good light soon after it took off so I activated 5 focus points, kept the far right focus point on the head of the bird and hoped I could keep focus locked on it for a few frames after it took off. And this time it worked.
In my mind there are take-off shots and there are full flight shots and this one’s somewhere in-between. To be sure, this photo wasn’t taken long after take off but the legs are tucked up and no longer extended from the launch effort and the flight posture looks a lot like full flight. I like the wing-down position and I got lucky with the head turned toward me – usually they’re looking away at this point.
Happy holiday weekend, everyone. I hope you get out and enjoy it safely.
Ron
They do move so quickly. I love this pic because they are just a blur most of the time.
wow…you could count all the markings on this beautiful bird!
great shot with the wing display and glint in the eye. oh, it is nice to hear you say that it is difficult to capture-I feel better now.
You were lucky, so we are. Thanks Ron. A bird in flight is such a delight (unintentional rhyme) each and every time.
Unintentional or not, Elephant’s Child – I enjoyed the rhyme.
Wonderful shot, Ron! I keep trying with the flight shots – thank goodness I don’t have to buy film!
The holiday weekend is off to a great start. Spent yesterday morning laying on the beach – yes, of course on my stomach photographing shorebirds, what else! 🙂
I keep thinking the same thing, Wally. I’d probably be collecting stamps instead of photographing if I had to buy film and pay for processing… Don’t get any sand crabs in your belly button!
Re:reply to Wally…could be worse things in his belly button….could be LAND crabs…we had them chasevour car once when we lived in South Miami
A Lakota friend, once told me the Lakota,, himself included, can understand what the Meadowlark says…wish I could say that. I could understand “feed me”, “let me in the house”, “cat in the yard”, “come out , NOW” and a few (very few) other phrase in Robin, Crow and Grackle…mostly Crow and Grackle. They had distinctly different calls for these things. The Robin didn’t “say” much…mainly chirped.and the G.H. owl just whinnied. None of them were caged.
My mother understood the language of the meadowlark too, Patty. She used to tell my little sister that they were saying “Sheila is a pretty little girl”… 🙂
Another fantastic shot! I can count the coverts, secondaries, primaries… like the power of the down stroke. Makes me think of the Pine Ridge Rez….you see so many of these birds there
I liked the look at the wing plumage too, Patty. Thanks.
Great shot as usual !!! You have a great Memorial Day weekend !!! Thanks!
Thank you, Bill.
A Fantastic portrait Ron ! Hope you and yours have a great weekend.
Thank you, John. You too!