Swifts
 

Another dull rainy day with loads of Swifts around Swan pool. Shame they don't come when the sun is out! :(

[url=http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7105/7322754548_6f65bf1e88_h.jpg][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7105/7322754548_8b25988524_z.jpg?v=0[/img][/url]


[url=http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7239/7322754570_c4e587c124_h.jpg][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7239/7322754570_3204bbf868_z.jpg?v=0[/img][/url]

[url=http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8154/7322754578_50702df6c0_h.jpg][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8154/7322754578_8b6cca6971_z.jpg?v=0[/img][/url]

[url=http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8160/7322754588_23d31df615_h.jpg][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8160/7322754588_a72ce9fc89_z.jpg?v=0[/img][/url]

Click eack picture for bigger size. :D

Some more Swifts and House Martins in the rain today. :p

[url=http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8026/7329808930_e331cf99f8_h.jpg][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8026/7329808930_8a26a7e335_z.jpg?v=0[/img][/url]


[url=http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7087/7329808944_07a8e6ba19_h.jpg][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7087/7329808944_32d5a811d7_z.jpg?v=0[/img][/url]

[url=http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7084/7329808984_cc1a6d3cd7_h.jpg][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7084/7329808984_3909741370_z.jpg?v=0[/img][/url]

[url=http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7105/7329809012_44e58a6fb0_h.jpg][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7105/7329809012_436104e270_z.jpg?v=0[/img][/url]

[url=http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8020/7329809138_9de9670aea_o.jpg][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8020/7329809138_3006d4f052_z.jpg?v=0[/img][/url]

Click image for bigger size. :D

Very well captured shots OldBoy great technique .

I don't have any water near to where I live but the Swifts , Swallows and House Martins do swoop in low over the fields out the back of mine and I love standing there trying to capture them in flight but with this dull lighting I don't stand much of a chance of getting any decent shots .

What kit and technique do you use .

Mark

Thanks Mark. I use the D3 and the Nikon 70-200mm F2.8 VR. I've also used the Nikon 300mm F4 and the Sigma 50-500mm F4-6.3. I set the camera on spot and 2000/s shutter speed in manual mode. I miss the shot 1/3 of the time as the Swifts, House Martins and Swallows can change directions just by twisting their tail feathers. You need to watch them for a bit and wait until they come in close then quickly bring the camera viewfinder to your eye and try and focus as they fly by. A lot of the time you try to estimate in which direction they may go. You can practice without taking a shot until you get into automatic mode, just remember when you decide to take a shot, by the time you've press the button, they have moved a couple of foot further along. :D

Thanks very much for the tips , next dry day with a bit of light I'll give it another go .

Cheers again .

Mark

Good work catching these birds. They're really quick.