I have a low success rate with this kind of shot, especially with Mountain Bluebirds.
1/4000, f/7.1, ISO 800, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
I’ve been stuck at home because of wildfire smoke so I’m posting another older photo today. This one was taken on a June camping trip to Montana’s Centennial Valley. On that trip I spent a lot of time trying to photograph Tree Swallows and Mountain Bluebirds in flight as they were approaching or leaving their nest boxes and this photo was one of my few successes.
For multiple reasons that I won’t go into this type of shot is harder than it might seem. But this pretty little lady had mercy on me and nearly hovered for a second or so in front of her nest box instead of zooming right to it so I had time to lock pretty good focus on her for a couple of shots. She isn’t quite tack sharp but I think she’s sharp ‘enough’, whatever that is. I posted the other photo I kept of her several years ago but this one is new to my blog.
Sad to say I’m seeing fewer Mountain Bluebirds this summer than I usually do. Hopefully that’s only a temporary and localized blip in my anecdotal observations.
Ron
Beautiful photo of a bird that doesn’t have much color, you gave it life.
An amazing shot, Ron! The BIF (bird in flight) shots are always a challenge for any photographer and yours is aweful. Congrats!
Thanks, Laval.
She is a real beauty, and I agree with others that the in-flight “softness” is just right! I’m still hoping to see a mountain bluebird or two while visiting my sister in northern Idaho but birds of any flavor seem to be considerably fewer than usual. 🙁
We finally got a nice (though too brief) soaking last night and some wind to clear out the smoke from fires on either side of us so I truly empathize with your plight. Well, the plight of most everyone in the western US, it appears, as wildfires ravage more and more acreage every day. It’s brutal.
Thanks, Chris. I envy your rain and cleared out air.
Brutal indeed.
Thank you for this beauty. And thank her for her ‘generosity’ in doing an ‘almost hover’ for you – which would have a degree of difficulty which boggles my mind. Huge and sympathetic sighs about the smoke.
Thanks, EC. I think she came to near-hover to give her mate at the nest box enough time to get out of her way. But I’ll take it as a favor to me… 🙂
Perfect photo to start a pleasant Sunday morning. It has a spiritual aspect, if I may say so.
As opposed to the scientific name which translates to something like: Sialia=a kind of bird and currucoides=resembling a warbler or Lesser Whitethroat. Ugh.
Lyle, I’ve been following an online post talking about the “lack of imagination” in place names in Utah and Idaho.
That lack of imagination obviously applies to many scientific names too.
This being a bird in flight I like the softness in both wings and would consider that a fine lucky accident. They are, after all, in rapid motion with the soft focus suggesting that. That the body is much sharper heightens the illusion. Another great one.
Thank you, Jim.
“Sharp enough” in this case is pretty spectacular! Small, quick birds are a challenge and it’s encouraging to see that it CAN be done.
Hope your smoky air clears soon!
Much appreciated, Wally. Our air was better for a while this morning but it’s become real smoky again – just as I anticipated.
Magnificent! Any sharp flight shot is nice to see but I think it’s the best flight shot of a Mountain Bluebird that I’ve seen. I hope your smoke continues to clear.
Thanks very much, Dan.
What a lovely shot. Thank you for sharing it – very enjoyable. I KNOW it is a hard photo to get!
“I KNOW it is a hard photo to get!”
There’s nothing like experience to teach us that lesson. Thanks, Richard.
Song birds in flight is never an easy task. Very nice shot with her subtle colors and cooperation. We went through the forest fire smoke situation a while back before the monsoon rains came so I can understand your frustration. Laughing yesterday watching a young Cooper’s Hawk trying unsuccessfully to intimidate and chase a juvenile Great Horned Owl. I think the Cooper’s believes this particular part of the riparian woods is his.
” I think the Cooper’s believes this particular part of the riparian woods is his.
And I think you’re probably right, Everett. Coops are known to be a bit… presumptuous about things like that. 🙂
Beautiful with her somewhat subtle colors that work with the subtle background colors…..:) Glad she cooperated with you and hope their apparently declining numbers is a temporary thing.
It’s getting “Labor Day Quiet” bird wise around here already with many “gone”.
Air is half clear this morning – in theory a cold front coming in with some rain possible – will believe it when I see it! Rock on the creek bed that’s down to puddles holding heat adding to our misery with the heat and smoke.
Judy, birds have really slowed down around here too. I’m sure all the smoke doesn’t help.
I never thought about all those rocks holding that much heat but it makes sense.
Those are very difficult shots indeed and that you were lucky enough to get one this good speaks volumes for your equipment, technique and persistence. And let’s hope the birds will reapper and the smoke disappear, soon or at least next year.
Thanks Granny Pat. It’s light enough now that I can see that a lot of our smoke cleared out during the night. It’s an improvement but it probably won’t last for long.