Birds Birds in Flight Thread - Post Your Shots Here

[Gaz]

I waited patiently for this guy to fly, but try as I might, it is not in the same class as the recent contribution from another Aussie.

In my last house, I had a few large flowering gum trees (30m high Terpentines). The parrots would sit up there and eat so much that sometimes they fell to the ground, unable to fly. Rotten drunks. I'd put a clothes basket over them until they recovered so our cat didn't eat them.

Consequently, I figure this guy is pretty happy.

• ILCE-7M4
• FE 135mm F1.8 GM
• 135.0 mm
• ƒ/1.8
• 1/1600 sec
• ISO 1250

• ILCE-7M4
• FE 135mm F1.8 GM
• 135.0 mm
• ƒ/1.8
• 1/1600 sec
• ISO 1250

 

[Brownie]

I waited patiently for this guy to fly, but try as I might, it is not in the same class as the recent contribution from another Aussie.

In my last house, I had a few large flowering gum trees (30m high Terpentines). The parrots would sit up there and eat so much that sometimes they fell to the ground, unable to fly. Rotten drunks. I'd put a clothes basket over them until they recovered so our cat didn't eat them.

Consequently, I figure this guy is pretty happy.

View attachment 35105

View attachment 35106

Well he certainly looks happy!

 

[iamdlewis]

Yeah, tiny birds catching insects- an impossible subject for the A7iv

Of the flight images you shared 2 of the 4 hit focus. If you want to spend time photographing small birds in flight you will find a hit rate of 2/3rds at 10 fps frustrating. Even more frustrating when you hear that an A9 will give you around 90% hit rate at twice the fps.

• ILCE-6000
• Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS
• 300.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/3200 sec
• ISO 500

 

[iamdlewis]

Some Wood Ducks, a Great Blue Heron and a Bald Eagle this morning

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/2500 sec
• ISO 1600

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/3200 sec
• ISO 3200

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/2500 sec
• ISO 3200

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/3200 sec
• ISO 1250

 

[Gaz]

Of the flight images you shared 2 of the 4 hit focus. If you want to spend time photographing small birds in flight you will find a hit rate of 2/3rds at 10 fps frustrating. Even more frustrating when you hear that an A9 will give you around 90% hit rate at twice the fps.
View attachment 35118

Yeah. Yeah. I could spend another $8k on an A9 but I’ve only been photographing BIF for a week now so anything in focus is a thrill. All the same, I’m pretty chuffed that the mosquito waiting to be swooped in the last frame is perfectly in focus.

 

[-ST-]

Duos in the distance

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 481.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/2000 sec
• ISO 1600

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 481.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/2000 sec
• ISO 1600

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/2000 sec
• ISO 1250

 

[iamdlewis]

Yeah. Yeah. I could spend another $8k on an A9 but I’ve only been photographing BIF for a week now so anything in focus is a thrill. All the same, I’m pretty chuffed that the mosquito waiting to be swooped in the last frame is perfectly in focus.

You'll hit the same point we all do and end up finding a way to get an A9 or A1. You will start to have a larger number of birds framed well but the key shot has focus 1-2 frames behind and one of those is going to be some really cool moment. The other thing is that you will discover that a sizable number of birds have flap rates that are 1/5 or 1/10 of a second so you sometimes end up with a bunch of in focus photos but really only 1 or 2 images.

 

[Gaz]

You'll hit the same point we all do and end up finding a way to get an A9 or A1. You will start to have a larger number of birds framed well but the key shot has focus 1-2 frames behind and one of those is going to be some really cool moment. The other thing is that you will discover that a sizable number of birds have flap rates that are 1/5 or 1/10 of a second so you sometimes end up with a bunch of in focus photos but really only 1 or 2 images.

Possibly the A9iii with a sensor to at least match the A7iv so I can crop indiscriminately?

I like freezing helicopter blades in place. They look surreal hanging up there with nothing supporting them.

• ILCE-7M4
• FE 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS
• 240.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3000001907367
• 13980/44736001 sec
• ISO 320

With birds I can match the shutter speed to wing beats. My old Pentax K7 does shutter speeds at 1:8000 so that game is t new to me.

I’m liking the idea of freezing the bird, but leaving the wing tips in motion. I think it communicates movement. I play a similar game photographing people jogging on the beach -just enough to express some movement, if that makes sense. Like this seagull running from a wave…

I could have had the bird in focus, of course… but the subject is the wave, if that makes sense. Idk. It’s a little game to know the rules and find interest when to break them.

• ILCE-7M4
• FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/8
• 1/2000 sec
• ISO 320

 

[Davej]

African Skimmers, Chobe River, Chobe National Park, Botswana, Oct22.

Taken last year and the first African Skimmers we'd ever got in focus after many years of trying.
Weather very cloudy and grey.

• ILCE-7RM4
• FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS
• 300.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/3200 sec
• ISO 320

• ILCE-7RM4
• FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS
• 279.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/3200 sec
• ISO 250

 

[Gaz]

A white-faced Heron, late this evening, according to Merlin! While I was at the beach.

• ILCE-7M4
• FE 135mm F1.8 GM
• 135.0 mm
• ƒ/1.8
• 1/2000 sec
• ISO 640

 

[Gaz]

I tried photographing the Superb Fairy Wren in flight, but they kept ducking for cover. Cute little fellas have lost their blue coats used during the breeding season to attract a sheila... So they're well camouflaged at this time of year.

Then I looked up....

Nankeen Kestrel hovering high above us .....

• ILCE-7M4
• FE 135mm F1.8 GM
• 135.0 mm
• ƒ/2.8
• 1/5000 sec
• ISO 125

They fan out like that to hover. I’m developing RSI in my right biceps from flipping these lenses around so erratically. Maybe a gimbal would help? I’ve almost given up on the 200-600 for that reason. I tried clear image zoom on this 135mm GM but the sharpness for BIF isn’t working out using zoom, as I lose much of the autofocus capability in the switch. CIZ works well when everybody is relatively still.

• ILCE-7M4
• FE 135mm F1.8 GM
• 135.0 mm
• ƒ/1.8
• 1/4000 sec
• ISO 125

 

[Brownie]

I tried photographing the Superb Fairy Wren in flight, but they kept ducking for cover. Cute little fellas have lost their blue coats used during the breeding season to attract a sheila... So they're well camouflaged at this time of year.

Then I looked up....

Nankeen Kestrel hovering high above us .....

View attachment 35514

They fan out like that to hover. I’m developing RSI in my right biceps from flipping these lenses around so erratically. Maybe a gimbal would help? I’ve almost given up on the 200-600 for that reason. I tried clear image zoom on this 135mm GM but the sharpness for BIF isn’t working out using zoom, as I lose much of the autofocus capability in the switch. CIZ works well when everybody is relatively still.

View attachment 35516

Good job!

 

[spudhead]

goose from long range

• ILCE-9
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/7.1
• 1/3200 sec
• ISO 2000

 

[iamdlewis]

Seems the local Wood Duck air traffic controller was on break at the time

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/4000 sec
• ISO 5000

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/4000 sec
• ISO 5000

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/4000 sec
• ISO 3200

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/4000 sec
• ISO 4000

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/4000 sec
• ISO 2000

 

[Gaz]

Some movement caught my eye when I was out testing my new 55mm Zeuss portrait lens on the neighbours. A bit of dumb luck involved. “Welcome Swallow”

• ILCE-7M4
• FE 55mm F1.8 ZA
• 55.0 mm
• ƒ/1.8
• 1/2000 sec
• ISO 320

 

[GvilleRick]

I got several in flight photos today.

Osprey

• ILCE-7RM5
• FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter
• 840.0 mm
• ƒ/9
• 1/1250 sec
• ISO 800

• ILCE-7RM5
• FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter
• 840.0 mm
• ƒ/9
• 1/1250 sec
• ISO 640

• ILCE-7RM5
• FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter
• 840.0 mm
• ƒ/9
• 1/1250 sec
• ISO 640

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

• ILCE-7RM5
• FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
• 474.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/1000 sec
• ISO 125

Canadian Geese

• ILCE-7RM5
• FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
• 474.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/1000 sec
• ISO 320

• ILCE-7RM5
• FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
• 270.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/1000 sec
• ISO 200

• ILCE-7RM5
• FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
• 270.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/1000 sec
• ISO 320

 

[Brownie]

Canadian Geese

How do you know? Were they in Winnipeg? Did they say "Honk, eh?"

 

[iamdlewis]

Canadian Geese

Canada Geese - They are not all from Canada

 

[GvilleRick]

There have been reports of a Glossy Ibis near me so I made a trip out there yesterday. I didn't see it but the shots I posted yesterday were from that location. I returned today and the Glossy Ibis did make an appearance. After getting a few shots he disappeared. A few minutes later I saw something flying and got some shots and it was the Ibis.

• ILCE-7RM5
• FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter
• 465.0 mm
• ƒ/9
• 1/1600 sec
• ISO 4000

 

[spudhead]

male kestrel from a recent shoot

• ILCE-9
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/6400 sec
• ISO 2000

 

[iamdlewis]

Companion post to the Non-BiF Bombay Hook NWR outing

Hope to someday get a better version of this. Osprey

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 243.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/2500 sec
• ISO 2000

Osprey (different one)

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 456.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/2500 sec
• ISO 1250

Snowy Egret

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/2500 sec
• ISO 8000

Great Egret

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/2500 sec
• ISO 800

GBH

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/2500 sec
• ISO 1600

Gray Catbird

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/2500 sec
• ISO 2500

Common Tern

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/2500 sec
• ISO 2000

Glossy Ibis

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/2500 sec
• ISO 5000

 

[spudhead]

raven robbing bread from ducks

• ILCE-9
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/3200 sec
• ISO 2500

 

[Roland]

Not my best bird in flight shot but my most unique. I was take pictures of migrating bird on the California Coast when a dog got all the birds airborne at the same time. I could take a few pictures while covering my camera since I heard all the bird droppings falling down left and right.

• ILCA-99M2
• Sony 70-300mm F4-5.6 G SSM II (SAL70300G2)
• 110.0 mm
• ƒ/5
• 1/2000 sec
• ISO 160

 

[GvilleRick]

I had a Turkey Vulture come to my yard this afternoon to feast on a dead squirrel. I was able to get pretty close to get some photos. He finally took flight when I got a little too close. After he flew to the roof of a neighbor's house I saw another circling overhead.

• ILCE-7RM5
• FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
• 200.0 mm
• ƒ/4
• 1/1000 sec
• ISO 160

One of them returned later and I took a few more photos and then got some of him flying off.

• ILCE-7RM5
• FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
• 70.0 mm
• ƒ/3.5
• 1/800 sec
• ISO 1600

 

[russellsnr]

Male Chaffinch in Flight.
A7 IV, 200-600 lens.
In woodland.

• FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
• 200.0 mm
• ƒ/5.5999999046326
• 1/4000 sec
• ISO 6400

• FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
• 200.0 mm
• ƒ/8
• 1/5000 sec
• ISO 10000

 

[-ST-]

Great Blue Heron coming in for a landing

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/2000 sec
• ISO 1250

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/2000 sec
• ISO 1250

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/2000 sec
• ISO 1250

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/2000 sec
• ISO 1250

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/2000 sec
• ISO 1250

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/2000 sec
• ISO 1250

 

[iain clyne]

A Chiffchaff.

A7402013-Edit by Iain Clyne, on Flickr

 

[russellsnr]

A Chiffchaff.

A7402013-Edit by Iain Clyne, on Flickr

Very nice.

 

[GvilleRick]

There were several Tree Swallows swooping around this morning.

• ILCE-7RM5
• FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter
• 200.0 mm
• ƒ/8
• 1/800 sec
• ISO 250

• ILCE-7RM5
• FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/2500 sec
• ISO 250

• ILCE-7RM5
• FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/2500 sec
• ISO 250

• ILCE-7RM5
• FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/2500 sec
• ISO 320

 

[Roland]

I still waiting for my first swallow in flight catch. Great job.