Once upon a time I was a sports photographer in the Northern Arizona University athletic department. I was shooting film then, 400 Tri-Ex to be exact. I had 36 shots per roll and could rip through 36 images in six seconds if I held the shutter down continuously. Then there was the problem of missing the shot while changing film rolls not to mention the hours in the dark room. Digital changed all of that. Well, most of it anyway. I can still fire off hundreds of shots in seconds but I never have to change the roll!
Why am I reminiscing you ask? Because I still get the thrill of a great sports action image when I photograph...BIRDS! In flight that is. It takes great patience to wait for them to do something, it takes lots of images to get the right one, which means lots of deleted missed shots and the final product is pretty cool. Here is a collection of birds in flight. Enjoy.
I have to admit, some of these captures feel like pure luck and camera/lens capability more than my brilliance as a photographer. Red winged black birds are very fast and small. I focus on one on a reed at our local wetlands and wait for them to fly. I then try to pan with it with my finger on the trigger. The same with this Says Phoebe at Patagonia Lake State Park.
These two images were taken through windows at our home in Flagstaff.
Both of these images were again taken at our local wetlands. The one on the left is of sparrows taking off from the footpath while the one on the right is, I believe, a female red winged blackbird that was hanging out on a branch in the water before taking off. You cannot blink or you will miss the take off. I wish they would give some warning.
Next up we have raptors. They are SUPER fun to photograph because they are so majestic and powerful. They actually DO give a little warning before they take off as they do a little squat and jump to get going.
This guy was hunting at our local wetlands and relieving one of the ponds of it's goldfish supply.
This hawk was taking off during a raptor show at the Sonoran Desert Museum in Tucson during an Arizona Highways Photography Workshop some years ago.
Two different eagles, two different places. The one on the left was taken again during a photo workshop but this time on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. On the right, taking off out of a pine tree at the local wetlands. Wetlands are a GREAT place for birding.
Owls are a pretty rare sight during the day. On the left, raptor show at the museum in Tucson and on the right an owl taking off in the forest at a state park in Tennessee! I luckily had my long lens on this hike.
Ahhh the Cranes! So majestic and graceful. They also give a bit of warning when they take off and, due to their size, move much slower than the little flitting songbirds so are much easier to capture.
These guys are my favorites. I love, love, LOVE pelicans. I love their beaks, how they glide over the water in formation, how they dive for food and their crazy, stretchy beaks. These were both photographed in the Sea of Cortez in Mexico.
Then there's the waterfowl. They range from goofy to majestic. Let's start with goofy. The take-off of the American Coot on water makes me laugh every single time. I love them so much.
I had no idea how viscous seagulls were until I saw a group of them attack and kill a sandpiper on the beach one day.
And finally, the regal waterfowl. Canada Geese mate for life.
Another of my favorite type of bird, Ravens and Crows. They are SO smart. These two were caught...playing? fighting? I'm not sure but their aerial acrobatics were impressive.
That's it for this post. I hope you enjoyed and maybe got inspired to go out and capture some bird images. Happy Shooting!!
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Comments
Love it! Not only great photos but wonderful commentary - though I didn't know Seagulls could be "viscous".
These are fantastic shots. I especially like the ones with wing spans. Thanks for the photos and comments!
Love these Vicki! My favorite was the raptor with a goldfish in each talon! But, then, every single one is beautiful. Thank you!
Amazing shots, Vicki! Thanks for this enjoyable installment!
Yes, I love my trusty little Sony DSC HX80. It has all the settings possible. I've used the two automatic ones. I'm wondering if I should try the speed and light settings. But then I think I'll miss the split moment for a pic. Mostly take bird pics.
Love them all but my favorite is the Pelicans and Dolphins in B& W! I would love to make a print of this incredible and talented Photo!
These are amazing captures! It’s impossible for me to pick a favorite. Your soul must be so full spending time in nature waiting and watching for these shots.