Sunday photoblogging: Swift

by Chris Bertram on July 4, 2021

I have spent much of the week trying to photograph the swifts that screech around and above Pézenas (France) often reminding me of the attack sequence in 633 Squadron/Star Wars as they fly in groups through the canyons formed by the streets. It is very tricky, as the sort of shutter speed you need to freeze movement also reduces the depth of field and everything happens too fast for autofocus to lock on. So I’ve filled memory cards with large numbers of pictures of blue skies and blurry birds, with a very few acceptable shots. They really are extraordinary creatures and it lifts the heart to see them.

Swift

{ 5 comments }

1

Alan White 07.04.21 at 3:46 pm

Fine photo! The first law of photography–take lots of shots. Having tried to get swifts and swallows in flight myself, I know how very difficult this can be. I’ve used a couple of my Canons on the sports setting to get quick captures with multiple frames in one continuous shot.

2

Dr. Hilarius 07.04.21 at 10:37 pm

I understand the misery of trying to photograph birds in flight. Nice shot.

Swifts are wonderful birds but scary when rock climbing. They sound just like a falling rock when they dive past your head.

3

Anthony 07.05.21 at 2:22 am

Have you tried the animal detect autofocus mode, provided by the newest firmware update for the G9? I’m not a bird-in-flight photographer, but it has worked for me with squirrels.

4

Chris Bertram 07.05.21 at 4:53 am

@Anthony – thanks for the tip!

5

Phil 07.05.21 at 10:35 pm

they fly fast and they fly long — up to ten months without landing

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/10/27/499635084/this-bird-can-remain-airborne-for-10-months-straight

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