Welcome Swallow

[Jan Wegener]

One image from last night. I noticed that about 50 Welcome Swallows had perched on my car. The antenna on top seemed to be their favourite place, so I instantly thought, “Why not attach perches to the car and see if the swallows use them!?”


After looking around I found a nice thistle, took two cable ties and attached it to a tomato stick. Then I stuck the stick in the door and set up my camera. Within seconds something unexpected happened. Instead of landing the swallows started picking the white hairs out of the thistle. They only touched down on the perch for a second or flew aerial attacks


A making of image can be seen on my blog.

1D Mark IV
600 L IS
ISo 800
F 5.6
1/4000

[Lorant Voros]

Overall fantastic. Like the chosen perch, the nice HA, the mud in the beak, the pose, sweet light and BG. I saw your blog before you posted here...well done.

[Marina Scarr]

The light, perch, pose and BG are all excellent, as your exposure and details here. Really a very pleasing image.

[Randy Stout]

Jan:

Enjoyed the image, nice balance, colors and techs, and the story of its creation. Quick thinking.

Cheers

Randy

[Doug Brown]

Like this one a lot Jan! Way to make the most out of a potential opportunity!

[Amol Khedgikar]

Beautiful shot, The thistle is slightly overwhelming but I like it as presented.

Is there a version without the thistle in front and more of the perch visible in other words a vertical image without the twin thistle in front?

I can wait to see thistle and birds back in my area...

[Sidharth Kodikal]

sweeet image Jan. The pose is killer, the perch is excellent and ditto on the bg.
You seized the opportunity and came back with a winner.

[Frank Schauf]

Excellent image quality, great details and sharpness.

[Robert Holguin]

Terrific shot.
Excellent pose, love the perch, and great backgroundd.
Very well done.

[Matthew Studebaker]

fantastic Jan. light, perch, pose, composition, detail - all amazing.

[Karl Egressy]

Great two-tone background nice perch and excellent pose, Jan. ( Good thinking and preparation in the given situation)

[Mike Veltri]

Sweet shot, and good thinking. Great two tone background.