Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Northern Rough-Winged Swallows

Capturing in-flight Swallow shots seems to be one of photography's greater challenges. I'm still not up to it, but I did manage to get some regular Swallow pictures. I picked a nice spot near a dead tree at McCormick Ranch where I figured  some of the Rough-Wings might eventually land, and as luck would have it one dainty female decided to stop off for a little preening and a good scratch.

I've always been very impressed by the Swallows' dexterity in the air. They dip and dive and turn on a dime, able to accelerate and stop with incredible quickness. Although it makes photography very difficult, I especially like how erratic their flight patterns are, as if they also do not know when or where they'll next  change course.



It was a worrisome start to this little photo shoot when this female Rough-Winged promptly hid her head. I gather she was just trying to scratch or preen in those hard to reach spots on the back. Come to think of it, I wish I could do that...


Swallows have to keep their feathers in prime working order; they exert a lot of force on them as they dip and turn in the air at high speed. We take our cars in for a tune-up every so often. I wonder how many miles the average Swallow puts on their feathers each year.


This is my favorite pose. It's a very nice, very flattering imitation of the skulking vultures from Jungle Book. The head is just a bit too feathered to quite pull off the look.


Here's the quintessential bird-on-a-stick profile. The Northern Rough Wing isn't the most colorful Swallow, but it's handsome in its own right. The solid wings and tail give her a nice cape here. I daresay she evens looks a bit like a bat. Looking at those tiny feet, it's clear she's doesn't spend much time on the ground.


Birding is fun. Here are some additional Rough-Winged photos.




12 comments:

  1. Laurence, I still have problems capturing images of swallows in flight, they are SO fast. Love these images :-)

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  2. I agree...It is so much fun. These pictures are beautiful.

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    1. Thanks Sweet Nature Lover, I'm glad you stopped by.

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  3. The sulking Vulture pose is the best!!!

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    1. Now if I can only get a Vulture acting like a Swallow. That'd be a shot!

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  4. Haha... You're dead on with the Jungle Book reference. Nice to see these little guys taking a break for once - very nice shots!

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    1. Thanks Nicholas. I felt exhausted just watching them.
      They weren't carrying coconuts so a Monty Python reference wouldn't have quite worked, but I do love Jungle Book.

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    2. What do you mean? An African or a European swallow?

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    3. Supposing two Swallows carried them together...
      : )

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  5. super captures Laurence. I have a few barn swallow flight shots taken from thousands but not that great. My daughter rides and hanging by the nest is a great way to practice :)

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    1. It's be great to get some Barn Swallow shots. Don't tell the Rough-Winged, but the Barn Swallows are way prettier than they are.

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