Wild Birds of Europe

I went looking for Swifts yesterday and found them. Actually there's lots of them in the city. But they're hard to shoot and exposure is problematic as it's all too easy to turn them into black blobs. I was shooting late afternoon with a low sun. I'm not sure why but most birds have just soft bodies. Eyes, wings may be in focus and sharp, bodies often were not. And I was shooting at shutter speeds of 1/2000s and up. ISO speeds 2000 or higher, but the R6 can take that. Or maybe my DOF was too shallow as I managed to shoot them from fairly close by? Although, f/7.1 for small birds should be enough. Maybe it was the wind. It was sunny and mild. But there was a stiff wind. I was on a bridge and had to wear a coat. So maybe that sort of ruffled the birds' feathers, rendering them a bit soft? No idea. Anyway, here's a shot.

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PSteven wrote in post #19390277
If you had the same experience as me you prob spent most of your time waiting for your lenses to demist

Yes! It was sooo hot in there. And I had the 300/4L with me, which was way too long. That was not a good experience.

Levina de Ruijter wrote in post #19390278
I went looking for Swifts yesterday and found them. Actually there's lots of them in the city. But they're hard to shoot and exposure is problematic as it's all too easy to turn them into black blobs. I was shooting late afternoon with a low sun. I'm not sure why but most birds have just soft bodies. Eyes, wings may be in focus and sharp, bodies often were not. And I was shooting at shutter speeds of 1/2000s and up. ISO speeds 2000 or higher, but the R6 can take that. Or maybe my DOF was too shallow as I managed to shoot them from fairly close by? Although, f/7.1 for small birds should be enough. Maybe it was the wind. It was sunny and mild. But there was a stiff wind. I was on a bridge and had to wear a coat. So maybe that sort of ruffled the birds' feathers, rendering them a bit soft? No idea. Anyway, here's a shot.

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Good work catching a Swift in flight - I barely see them with my eyes so would hate to think how difficult it is to capture one. I like how you can see its eye

OK my bird feeder is getting very popular - they are even eating the Niger seed which no bird touched the whole of last year.

PSteven wrote in post #19390280
Good work catching a Swift in flight - I barely see them with my eyes do would hate to think how difficult it is to capture one. I like how you can see its eye

Thanks, Paul. With a bit of luck I can shoot them from fairly close by, even though it's hard. But the real problem with these birds, for me anyway, is the exposure. They are active mostly late in the day. So with a setting sun and a crazy fast and erratic flying bird, you need high shutter speeds, enough DOF and low ISO speeds because in the warm golden light, noise is more prominent. It's like a balancing act. I'm glad I came home with at least a handful of shots that are half decent. Although nothing like some shots I have seen of these birds by others.

PSteven wrote in post #19390281
OK my bird feeder is getting very popular - they are even eating the Niger seed which no bird touched the whole of last year.

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That's a pretty sight!

Looking up at my bird feeder of course

Levina de Ruijter wrote in post #19390289
Thanks, Paul. With a bit of luck I can shoot them from fairly close by, even though it's hard. But the real problem with these birds, for me anyway, is the exposure. They are active mostly late in the day. So with a setting sun and a crazy fast and erratic flying bird, you need high shutter speeds, enough DOF and low ISO speeds because in the warm golden light, noise is more prominent. It's like a balancing act. I'm glad I came home with at least a handful of shots that are half decent. Although nothing like some shots I have seen of these birds by others.

You sure have your work cut out for you capturing those Swifts. I admire your ability to capture birds in flight as it is a very difficult skill to master.

PSteven wrote in post #19390300
You sure have your work cut out for you capturing those Swifts. I admire your ability to capture birds in flight as it is a very difficult skill to master.

You're very kind, Paul. Thank you.
I just wish I could shoot them from a different angle, as in not against the sky. That alone would make a world of difference. But I know of no location nearby where I can do that. So it's a problem.

Levina de Ruijter wrote in post #19390278
I went looking for Swifts yesterday and found them. Actually there's lots of them in the city. But they're hard to shoot and exposure is problematic as it's all too easy to turn them into black blobs. I was shooting late afternoon with a low sun. I'm not sure why but most birds have just soft bodies. Eyes, wings may be in focus and sharp, bodies often were not. And I was shooting at shutter speeds of 1/2000s and up. ISO speeds 2000 or higher, but the R6 can take that. Or maybe my DOF was too shallow as I managed to shoot them from fairly close by? Although, f/7.1 for small birds should be enough. Maybe it was the wind. It was sunny and mild. But there was a stiff wind. I was on a bridge and had to wear a coat. So maybe that sort of ruffled the birds' feathers, rendering them a bit soft? No idea. Anyway, here's a shot.

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good job catching the swift, they are just that!

Levina de Ruijter wrote in post #19390304
You're very kind, Paul. Thank you.
I just wish I could shoot them from a different angle, as in not against the sky. That alone would make a world of difference. But I know of no location nearby where I can do that. So it's a problem.

The trouble is swifts don't come down to the ground at all so it's very difficult to get them with any other background than the sky, unless you know their nest site where you get the chance to catch them with the nest site behind them, if you're quick! But mostly still against the sky, they nest in my roof and in boxes I put up for them but it's still mostly sky!

sidknee wrote in post #19390346
good job catching the swift, they are just that!

The trouble is swifts don't come down to the ground at all so it's very difficult to get them with any other background than the sky, unless you know their nest site where you get the chance to catch them with the nest site behind them, if you're quick! But mostly still against the sky, they nest in my roof and in boxes I put up for them but it's still mostly sky!

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It's good to know I'm not the only one having trouble with them. When I take bad shots it depresses me, so thanks!

You caught one in flight too, so also good job! But yeah, the sky makes a lot of swift shots unappealing. I hate how mine look. I've seen shots by Belas with green backgrounds and lovely light. Another thing we often don't have here.

Your second shot is quite unique. I don't think I've ever seen a bigger close-up.

Glad to see everyone is struggling with Swifts, makes me feel less incompetent

Good pictures!

PSteven wrote in post #19390259
Ha, thank you Levina. I did actually leave the house today and went to a nature reserve to look for dragonflies - it was very sunny and I am rubbish at photographing dragonflies so not sure I have anything to rejoice

Levina de Ruijter wrote in post #19390271
LOL I have that with butterflies. I don't know what it is, but I can't seem to take a sharp photograph of them. I have one good one. One, in 12 years of photography. And it was a lucky shot at that.

I've only managed to take sharp photos of dragonflies and butterflies in my own garden(can post here but not birds...) never in the field.

edit: if you mean in flight: never

PSteven wrote in post #19390239
Fabulous photos! I lay in the garden waiting for a young blackbird to appear this morning but no joy

Young Blackbirds are always nice to see.

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pcs wrote in post #19390482
Young Blackbirds are always nice to see.

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I’ve never seen a blackbird feeding its young; they are so cautious in my garden and keep the juveniles well hidden.
Great capture.