Yesterday it was Cliff Swallows. To continue the swallow theme, today it’s Barn Swallows playing in the mud.
1/3200, f.6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
Just over a week ago I spent some time photographing Barn Swallows collecting mud for their nests on Antelope Island. I’m not sure where their nests were but they were probably on the sides of some nearby buildings. This bird is looking at the exact spot from where it’s about to collect a bill-full of mud and has raised its wings to fly-hop over to it.
1/2500, f.6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
Here it has grabbed the mud and is about to take off with it. Notice the double catch light in the eye – that sometimes happens, especially near water. I could easily remove the bottom one but it’s natural so I left it. It doesn’t really bother me anyway.
1/2000, f.6.3, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Barn Swallows often mix mud with grass for their nests and this one spent considerable time with the grass stem in its mouth before it picked up the mud, as if it was trying to decide how it would manage with both of them in its beak. Interestingly, closely related Cliff Swallows mix grass with the mud much less often than Barn Swallows do.
1/2000, f.6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
This is a different bird taking off with its mouth full of mud. I think it’s an interesting shot at this angle, featuring that long, deeply forked tail, a full wing-spread, the shadows of its spread feet and even the reflection of one of them.
After I processed this photo last night I began to wish I hadn’t cropped out part of the shadow of the right wing and wonder if I’d prefer the image if the shadow was complete. So as I often do behind the scenes when I’m preparing my images for posting I processed another version that included the entire shadow to see if I’d like it better.
This is it but personally I don’t like it quite as well. Yes, it includes the entire shadow but the price to pay is too large because for me the composition is less appealing and I’ve lost detail on the bird because of the looser crop.
But what do I know? Aesthetics certainly isn’t my long suit so if any of my readers have thoughts on the matter one way or the other I’d appreciate knowing them.
Ron
Note: If my narrative is less coherent than usual this morning it’s because I’m in the fog of one of my nasty cluster headaches. Usually I have them in the middle of the night but this one has thrown me a curve.
Thank you for these great behavioral shots of one of my favorite birds. I once had a pair of barn swallows build their nest at the quiet end of my porch. I was lucky enough to see them build the nest and then successfully raise four chicks, but I’ve never seen them gathering the mud.
I’m familiar with cluster headaches from the outside looking in. Very little makes a person feel more helpless than seeing a loved one suffer. I hope this current cycle you’re experiencing ends soon.
Yes, I imagine it would be terribly difficult to watch a loved one having a severe cluster headache, Robyn. I’m glad no one can see me when I’m having one…
Cluster headaches out-suck Dyson. I hope yours give you some relief. Soon.
I lean towards the cropped photo too.
And love all of these charmers.
Mud, mud, glorious mud, there is nothing quite like it for cooling the blood.
“Cluster headaches out-suck Dyson”
You’re so very right about that, EC!
I had to look it up – “The Hippopotamus Song”!
This is probably my favorite swallow; I think because their colors are so dramatic. The cinnamon and deep steel blue color, that appearance of the ‘mask of Zorro’ around their eyes, and the twinkle of the black eye all work so well together. Some of the best color palettes are from nature. 🙂 I have been watching them building their nests for a few years with the mud from one particular bend in the road through my favorite marsh. I can park there for hours watching them…so industrious and particular. My picture preference…the one with the shadow cropped…I think because my eye stays on the bird. 🙂
I like to watch them too, Kathy. And those little devils are feisty – when gathering mud and when in flight near their nests. They apparently love to squabble…
First of all, I can’t believe that the mud stays in their mouth until they get to their nest.
What a beautiful bird with a forked tail. I like the photo that has been cropped because the bird itself is where your eyes go rather than to the very long shadow….my two cents worth.
Thank you Ron, for an interesting lesson.
Two cents always matters, Alice. Thanks.
When I was at the California Mission San Juan Capistrano I greatly admired the skill of the swallows to build their solid nests in colonies under arches. And now from your photo series, I see how they build them! Thank you!
I wonder if the swallows are still returning to Capistrano, Pat. Seems like I heard that they didn’t for a while…
Fantastic close up views of these swallows -I’ve never seen any pictures like them. I sure do learn a lot from your blog! Hope your headache feels better soon. P.S. I like the closer crop of the swallow.
Thank you, Joanne.
Whoops! My comment showed up under RJ’s — not sure why that happened. Oh well, not the first time I’ve gone wandering where I wasn’t supposed to…and I’m sure it won’t be the last. 😛
No problem, Marty. Stuff like that happens to me too but you usually don’t see it because I can fix mine… 🙂
I agree with those who like the first image. The bird is a better focus and Robert’s analysis really said it all. Beautiful pictures of beautiful birds. I used to watch them gather mud from a puddle behind my house at the golf course until the maintenance department filled the hole with gravel. I miss the show.
I look forward to seeing “the show” every year, Betty – especially up close and personal like I can see it through my lens. My best experience with it is usually on Antelope Island.
Certain Renaissance painters ( I’m thinking Giotto ? ) gave their angel figures a very distinctive wing-shape–which always intrigued me. After seeing your first image today, I realized the source
of their inspiration– likely a swallow wing, maybe even a barn swallow—what a beautiful shape ! I know from cluster headaches ; are yours kicked off seasonally ( specifically after wind events,
which have certainly been raging in northern Utah in the last few days ) ? I admire that you are functioning –hope it’s over soon……..
Most folks are unfamiliar with cluster headaches Kris, but it sounds like you are. The pain involved is simply unbelievable – much more severe than migraines for example. Cluster headaches are often called “suicide headaches” for very good reason. The pain affects the trigeminal nerve so it’s not “in” the head, it’s near the outside – in my case on the side of my face and head. Their cause is unclear and there’s no treatment that’s particularly effective for many sufferers including me. Prednisone worked reasonable well for a while in keeping mine at bay but for some reason it no longer works.
Typical of clusters mine come at the same time every day (between 10 and 11 at night in my case). In the past, when I’m in a “cluster”, the cycle has begun in Feb and lasted about 2 months but in the last few years my clusters have become less predictable. My last cluster lasted for almost a year and then I went for 2 years without any at all but then they came back again a few weeks ago.
More than you wanted to know I’m sure but I’m on a roll after this last headache (it was less severe at first but then it really blossomed soon after I published this post). It started at 3 AM (unusual timing for me) and lasted for almost exactly 6 hours and then it was gone in a flash. Cluster headaches are a bitch – right now I feel like I’ve been pulled through a knothole even though the headache is completely gone. Anyone that wants to be extremely grateful they don’t have them should read Wikipedia’s account of them. If you’re female be thankful for that too – 4 times more men get them than women.
It’s fun watching Swallows gather mud for nests. I think both varieties of our Swallows have to re-use their nests as long as possible, because we frequently have no mud around when they would be building their nests. As for the crop issue, I’m with you in liking the first crop, with the shadow partially cut off better – the bird is the very definite focus in that shot, whereas with the crop that leaves the shadow, the shadow becomes the more dominant feature of the shot. To my eyes. Hope your headache goes away quickly.
Susan, Barn Swallows often re-use old nests whether mud is available or not. The determining factor seems to be the parasite (mites in particular) load of the nest. If there are lots of mites they don’t use it again.
Do they collect both salt water and fresh water mud? Sorry to be a pest and have so many questions….
You’re not a pest, Patty and interesting question. I don’t know the answer to that one.
Love this! Have seen them daubing mud on their nests in our barn, but never saw them gathering the stuff…love thrir swoopy flight, their oilslick iridescence, their tiny beaks and their aerodynamic shapes….so delicate looking and beautiful…
Thank you, Patty.
I love the tail shot. My fave. Hope you find relief for your headache!
Thanks, Arwen. With your new photo I thought you were an imposter at first! 🙂
Beautiful images Ron. I think they are beautiful birds and love watching them build their nests as long as it is out in the wild. Many years back when my youngest daughter got married and moved to an apartment complex in Foothill Ranch Orange County, the whole complex was taken over by the swallows and it was a disaster. There was swallow poop everywhere and you could not even park your car on the street without knowing it would be hit hard by the time you were done visiting. Sidewalks were covered – everything was covered. The construction company had failed to take preventive measures and as you know California law prohibits you from destroying the nests once they are built. Curious too to know if you take these from your vehicle as many others or do you get out and walk to this area? Regardless – beautiful and educational photos.
Everett Sanborn
Prescott AZ
“California law prohibits you from destroying the nests once they are built”
I believe federal law does the same thing, Everett.
I took these shots from my pickup – just drove up to the puddle.
Gorgeous! They are beautiful, industrious birds for sure! Cooperated pretty well……:) I like the one with the clipped shadow better as the bird is REALLY center stage there 😉 Always wondered how they hang on to the sometimes VERY wet mud? Hope the headache doesn’t last long……….:(
“Always wondered how they hang on to the sometimes VERY wet mud?”
Ha, so have I, Judy! It seems like it would just fall apart, especially in flight.
I actually prefer the second image. It feels more complete, as if the full essence of the bird was captured while the first feels a bit truncated. The difference in detail between the two is minimal, in my mind, and not significant.
Thanks for listing the reasons for your preference, Lee.
What a wonderful behavioral series Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
IMO, I think you are spot on with your preference for the first image which shows the shadow cropped. It adds interest because of the slight tension it creates within the composition. The eye does not need to see all that the brain knows to be there. The crop does not interfere with the bird or the naturalness of the activity and provides the intimacy and detail the viewer craves. I really appreciate the care you take with your images and the thoughtful criticism you apply to all of your achievements. Make no mistake, your intuition and skill account for more hits than misses in the aesthetics department. Thanks again for sharing your experiences.
“Make no mistake, your intuition and skill account for more hits than misses in the aesthetics department”
I like the way you said that, Robert. I hope it’s true… 🙂
OK, I’m the weirdo here (but then you knew that, didn’t you 😉 ). I like the cropped shot because of the detail it allows, but I also really like the full-shadow shot because the longer shadow under the bird’s R wing balances the way the bird’s actual L wing looks longer because of the angle. These are all wonderful shots of a beautiful bird!
Ron, hope you get some relief soon.
Interesting thoughts on your preference, Marty. Thanks.
Agreed, the tighter crop with fine detail is better to me also. Thanks for the grass to mud differences between barn and cliff swallows, curious.
Thanks for that feedback, Gary.