Swifts and Sand Martins in Flight

[Olybirder]

Late on Sunday afternoon I went for a walk on Carlton Marshes. It was a lovely, suinny day and the highlight was watching Swifts, Swallows and Sand and House Martins skimming over the water at the new 'scrape' which has been created there.

I spent about half-an-hour attempting to photograph them in flight in the evening light. My word, they are fast little blighters. By the time I got home I could hardly raise my arm and my shoulder was sore all the next day.

E-30, 50-200 SWD, EC-14.

Above and below: Swift






Above and below: Sand Martin

Ron

[Tordan58]

Re: Swifts and Sand Martins in Flight

Well done. I know how it feels...

[Zuiko]

Re: Swifts and Sand Martins in Flight

My goodness, how did you even get them in the frame? I've tried photographing swifts and they are way too fast for me!

[David M]

Re: Swifts and Sand Martins in Flight

It's practice John, I had a manually focused shot of a Common Swift in flight published 20+ years ago.

[Falk]

Re: Swifts and Sand Martins in Flight

Good ones! The Sand Martin against the green background shows a very nice angle. I have not yet tried this, this season. Your shots make me wanting to and somehow trigger happy
Eventually I aim at our resident Swallows!? The other day, just when I entered the open door to the horse stable, I almost had a Swallow stuck in my head, as one was just leaving in oposite direction! I felt the wing accross my cheek - but it happend so quick, I never actually saw the Swallow

[Olybirder]

Re: Swifts and Sand Martins in Flight

Thanks Falk. Some of the Swifts were flying really close to my head on Sunday too. I could hear the sound of their wings as they passed overhead. It was quite thrilling.

Interestingly none of them were screaming as they do over the garden at home. I have heard that they do this when they are flying about as a family, keeping contact with each other. Some of them nest underneath the tiles on the roof of a neighbour's house and have been doing so for several years. I don't think the neighbours are aware of this and I haven't told them as I think 'ignorance is bliss' in some circumstances and Swifts need all the nesting places that they can find.

Ron

[sponner]

Re: Swifts and Sand Martins in Flight

great shots, no 4 for me

[Wee man]

Re: Swifts and Sand Martins in Flight

Super shots I cannot keep up with these fast flyers well done

[OM USer]

Re: Swifts and Sand Martins in Flight

Nice shots. These birds are way to quick for my reflexes.

[Chevvyf1]

Re: Swifts and Sand Martins in Flight

My goodness, how did you even get them in the frame? I've tried photographing swifts and they are way too fast for me!

Me Too!

What an achievement ! Thanks for Sharing

[jdal]

Re: Swifts and Sand Martins in Flight

Well worth the effort, fine shots. I'm still at the seagull stage.

[Olybirder]

Re: Swifts and Sand Martins in Flight

Many thanks for the kind comments. The shots are still not that good but I think I am making progress. I think the difference here was that I was standing up outside in the open and was able to follow the swooping progress of the birds better. It is much more restrictive when you are seated in a hide.

The Sand Martins were over a smaller pool at the side of the scrape and kept returning to the same area which made things a little easier.

Ron

[David M]

Re: Swifts and Sand Martins in Flight

One trick is to find a location where the birds are flying around you at a fairly consistent distance such as a reservoir bank where they're feeding.

[timmypreston]

Re: Swifts and Sand Martins in Flight

The last one is very good