Outdoor Ontario

Photography => Ontario Birds => Topic started by: Shortsighted on June 10, 2024, 08:40:00 AM

Title: Tree Swallow
Post by: Shortsighted on June 10, 2024, 08:40:00 AM
I know what you're thinking, a bird called a tree swallow must be a truly monstrous bird, gigantic and frightening if it can swallow an entire tree.  I mean, come on, how could such a bird even fly?  Then again, unlike me, you probably don't have the mind of a three year-old.  Trying to photograph a swallow in flight is a formidable challenge, although with the new ultra-fast mirrorless cameras that may be a little more satisfying now.  Fortunately swallows need to rest frequently.  A fence at the edge of a meadow is a great place for a swallow to rest between long exhaustive aerial forays.  If you watch them you might notice what I've noticed, time and time again, a swallow will choose the same perch each time, or at least a similar perch nearby.  Another good perching site is next to a proffered domicile.  It's so much easier to get a photo if you station yourself accordingly.

 (https://photos.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontario/Outdoor-Ontario/i-6WQGbRQ/0/rRtbbfg66xQpptS8bTdnZJS5CPpCwQKkQjGm8rvX/M/Tree%20swallow%2C2%2Ccrop-M.png) (https://steinphotography.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontario/Outdoor-Ontario/i-6WQGbRQ/A)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontario/Outdoor-Ontario/i-PPBkpxH/0/FZt5c8wC444w9LJHpKgMjRn959JsbscqVXkLH3xrC/M/Tree%20swallow%2Chead%20shot%2Cheavy%20crop-M.png) (https://steinphotography.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontario/Outdoor-Ontario/i-PPBkpxH/A)
Tree Swallow
Title: Re: Tree Swallow
Post by: Dr. John on June 10, 2024, 12:06:07 PM
You really captured the beautiful subtleties of their coloration.
Title: Re: Tree Swallow
Post by: Shortsighted on June 10, 2024, 03:55:35 PM
While an overcast sky reduces light levels it does provide a beautiful even illumination that can't be beat.  A Tree swallow in bright direct sunlight is always going to look harsh, where the blue-green appears almost black.  Barn swallows are also better in bright hazy light.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontario/Outdoor-Ontario/i-RW2zmPw/0/DQ9G4g6tg2R6dtLxCLBVvKtFXV8FqQKmMPn2Lj7X9/M/Male%2Cpose%2C3%2Ccrop-M.png) (https://steinphotography.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontario/Outdoor-Ontario/i-RW2zmPw/A)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontario/Outdoor-Ontario/i-MQtvmGx/0/FZ5JBCgv9JMPXLGP9K3QRKfkx6whRVFSMRbHNdmbd/M/Barn%20swallow%2Cback%2Ccrop%2C2-M.png) (https://steinphotography.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontario/Outdoor-Ontario/i-MQtvmGx/A)