p.1 #1 · First Violet-greens of 2020 and why 20FPS sometimes isn't enough...
I really didn't expect them this early and in the sort of numbers I saw yesterday. It really takes at least 30+ swallows to be able to get enough opportunities to bring home a few keepers. I spent about 2hrs (maybe more) to get these few shots. My arms were tired wielding the 600GM after all that but I'm heading back at sunrise to do it all over again (thanks Ibuprofen )
Violet-greens are the fastest and smallest swallows we have here....shooting them makes shooting Tree Swallows, N. Rough Winged Swallows and Barn Swallows (yet to arrive in a any numbers) almost feel easy. These little guys were insane and the way they move is just amazing to watch.
The last three images were at 20FPS but still missed the point of beak to bug to water impact....sometimes you need more than 20FPS...but I still liked the sequence for what it is...that one extra frame would have been perfect!!
p.1 #5 · First Violet-greens of 2020 and why 20FPS sometimes isn't enough...
sum1sgrampa wrote:
Considering I can't get even one in frame every 20 seconds these look amazing !
Gary
Thanks Gary. As I mentioned I spent a number of frustrating hours just getting a few sequences in frame and hoping 20FPS would grab a couple good poses before the swallow radically changed direction and was out of frame.
p.1 #8 · First Violet-greens of 2020 and why 20FPS sometimes isn't enough...
What an awesome set, Geoff and YGMV! The tree swallows are active now at a local bird sanctuary near me. I did it last year using an adapted lens and I had to wait until they hovered a bit to be able to get keepers. Now, your images make me want to try out the GM lens on mine.
p.1 #17 · First Violet-greens of 2020 and why 20FPS sometimes isn't enough...
Great work Geoff getting these int the frame, most of the time you can't even find them! agree almost need a video camera to get the right pose! #2 is my pick. You probably needed 1/4000 sec or even 1/5000 to get these suckers tack sharp but I can see light was already low...bumping to ISO3-4K for more ss might have helped. I yet have to find a nest so I can try the 500PF with these and see what happens...Can't imagine swinging to 600 for two hours ....even the lightest one.
)
i'm joking