ABOUT ME

I live in a camper van with a West Highland Terrier for company.
My passion is creating images but it is a work in progress.
I am always willing to share what knowledge I have and can be contacted through the comments on this post or e-mail ADRIAN
ALL IMAGES WILL ENLARGE WITH A LEFT CLICK

Monday 21 April 2014

SWALLOW. (21/04/14)

This morning I’ve been flashing in the barn. It never fails to amaze me that birds don’t object to being flashed at.

I have dozens of pictures of swallows but will post just four. _MG_4275

_MG_4292

_MG_4298

_MG_4303 It goes without saying that I have none of a whole one flying. I have a few blurry ones and a few sharp ones of bits of Swallow. They are fast.

That’s all for today. It’s giving rain for tomorrow so it looks like a wet visit to the Kelpies.

32 comments:

  1. The one at the bottom doesn't look very well. Are you sure it's still alive? The others are lovely.

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    1. Frances, it was just taking off. It's fine.

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  2. It doesn't matter if you didn't post a picture of the swallow flying. We know he can fly. The pictures you did post are great. The color, detail, soft lines and edges is art.

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    1. David, it would be nice to get a sharp picture of one in flight.

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  3. I'd say it was debatable whether birds don't mind flash. Their eyesight is much better than ours, and a flash in a humans eyes can cause a brief moment of blindness.
    A good set though.

    I'm looking forward to seeing them in the stables in Wales when I go up there.

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    1. Keith, they don't shoot off or flap about. I'll investigate the matter further before I do it again.

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  4. I never knew swallows had that much colour! - probably because I never saw them up close and flashed before :) Good job.

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    1. Monica, they are quite bright. Not as bright as many birds but few are as dull as they look at a distance.

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  5. HI Adrian I have only seen a couple of Swallows so far flying around so your shots aregreat to see close up. Hope you had a great Easter.

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  6. Margaret, these only arrive last Thursday.
    You may know whether they object to strobes, they don't appear to. I have to clap my hands to get them moving.
    Easter was great here but I didn't get to crucify anyone.

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  7. It's satisfying when a bird will cooperate and pose a bit . Now if they'd only do the same thing when they're flying.

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    1. Red, wash your mouth out with soap. Flashing at birds is frowned upon. They don't seem to mind. It is cheating, To catch something this quick you have to set up in the door way with a trigger to fire the camera.

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  8. Great shots, the best is number 3, excellent photo.

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    1. Bob,they are not paired up yet he was making that clicking call as were a couple of others. They squabble over last years nests but seem to resolve the matter in time to breed.

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  9. Adriaan but you've at least been nice photo, s of the swallows and how.

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  10. Love the photos, number 3 is the one I like best :)

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    1. Val, I have about thirty to choose from but I think that #3 is the best.

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  11. I could wait for hours and not be able to get shots like these. I'm the worst when it comes to wildlife photography. I guess the animals don't want to cooperate. But you managed it beautifully!

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    1. Mersad, these are reasonably tolerant as the horses and people moving around get them used to the stables.

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  12. I had no idea they were so black and glossy up close! I'm sure you will get one in flight soon.

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    1. Pauline they are beautiful. I'll have another go when the new lens arrives.

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  13. I am no ornithologist but early every summer I smile when I see the swallows return to Sheffield. That's usually in late May so I am surprised that you are flashing at swallows in mid-April. Do you wear a dirty old mac when flashing?

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    1. YP, I thought these were about a week early.
      No not a mack but I do tie the bottom of my trousers with binder twine. I am worried about rats running up my legs....I look like Worzel Gummage.

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  14. Es primavera Adrian. Las golondrinas regresan en la primavera :)))
    Guapas fotos!!!
    Buen Martes!
    Un abrazo

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    1. Laura, yes spring has arrived with the Golondrinas. Muy guapo que son.

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  15. Ha. That's a remarkable coincidence. I took some pics of a young Welcome Swallow when at Pauline's and it's scheduled for sometime today. I have managed to get some in flight when I was at Miranda but they are not particularly impressive. They are the best I'm ever likely to get though.

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    1. Graham, I have bits of flying ones. If I get time today I will set a couple of strobes up at 1/4 power and see if i can freeze their flapping. It assumes that I can get them in frame. Look forward to seeing your Swallows.

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  16. Swallows have been skittish for me, you're fortunate to have shot some.

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    1. Maria, they are fine whilst in the stables. Outside they are too fast for me.

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  17. You did well to freeze some of these fast creatures.

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    1. Jay, the strobe does that. They don't seem to mind it.

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