BIF (Bat In Flight)

On a recent camping trip by a small mountain lake I was out shooting trying out my new 100mm 2.8 on some insects . I looked out at the water and saw what I though were a couple of birds eating insects. They were swooping, diving, and tumbling around feeding intently.

I grabbed my other camera that had my zoom (70-200 w/ 2X TC) and started taking some shots just practicing trying to pan with them and maybe get something good. I couldn't really see what I was shooting as they were about 125' off shore and they were darting around pretty fast.

When I got back to the trailer I downloaded the images and had taken 18 shots. 4 of them turned out all right. What I thought were birds turned out to be Little Brown Bats (actual name I believe). These guys are about 5'' long and are usually nocturnal.

I went back the next day at the same time and just got to the spot as they left the water and flew up to an old dead tree to roost. I waited awhile but they never came back out.

Not the greatest shots but I thought they were cool. I'll be back at the same lake in two weeks and will try for more then.

Comments and pointers very welcome. The first photo is uncropped.

Cheers, Shayne

Considering how erratically bats fly about I think you did a fine job indeed. I've never seen bats out in daylight like this. Very interesting.

Those are nice. I have many bats that fly in my yard at dusk. The family and I have been in the pool as the bats swoop in to got a drink. I will have to try to get a picture.

Great effort! I have bats come to the overhead light in the park next door to my home chasing the moths, very hard to shoot.