Swallows in flight

I'll admit it right off, getting images of these started as sort of a hobby, but it has quickly become an obsession.
I'll be posting images, and quite honestly, some of them aren't that great.
But wait theres more ! I cannoy believe these little guys, and gals and my appreciation for there sheer manoeuvrability.
Heres a semi clear version of one on knife edge just inches above the ground.

that's a hard bird to get in flight, keep the shots coming

They are so hard to nail in midair. I like the pose in this.

I just wish I could get the nice crisp shots I see fro the rest of you here. I think I shot 173 images and maybe 12-15 are OK, but still not up to the level I have seen here.
But about 4 or 5 weeks ago I came back with about the same amount of shots taken, and none were any good.
BTW the last 4 weeks i tried with the 100-400, but this time I used my 70-200 F4 without IS.
I think the 300 F4 with or without IS would be perfect for these little guys, but I'm not sure of the minimum focus distance.
Sometime they get so close I could touch them.
I swear as I go by I can see them with a slight grin. I do have another one thats actually looking in my direction, which blew me away. If I was going that fast I don't think I would be looking away from where I was going.
Other thing I learned was they go after small feathers, thinking there bugs I would assume.
So If you see a feather in the air, focus on it and they will be there eventually. trouble is those feathers move pretty quick in a breeze.
The best part is just watching them.
I'd really like to take images of hawks, but just don't see that many, but If I can learn to shoot Images of these, its great practice for anything else.

You did well to get this, they are VERY hard to catch in flight and I know what you mean about them seemingly grinning as they see you trying to capture them and they strt doing passes just to say (I assume) "go on then, get me now...".

The secret is patience, but you obviously have that. Also, as said in your PM (which I will reply to in a moment, thanks for that and the kind words) its learning where a main activity zone is and working with that. Don't let them dominate you, don't try to throw the lens around the sky here and everywhere, but stay in the zone area and let them come to you.

Will add more in my PM, mate, but, yup, reckon you'll get the shot you want....

Heres a couple more:

Bsmooth wrote in post #14792569
Heres a couple more:

I'm very impressed, ever since somebody posted similar shots weeks ago, I've been obsessed also. Nothing worth saving yet. Should I use IS while panning?

It's best to keep IS off. Your shutter speeds should be high to get these without motion blur anyhow, so IS isn't needed and you'll find that your lens will also snap to focus faster with it disabled, if that helps.

I think these shots are great. Keep it up.

Did you say obsession? Oh no, this is hobby is not addicting at all . SIFs are very hard to do, people uses different techniques, from tracking or quick zooming. I say you are doing pretty well