South African Cliff Swallow

[Richard Flack]

South African Cliff Swallow - Petrochelidon spilodera

Location: Eendracht Road, Suikerbosrand
Date taken: 03 November 2013
Photo details:
Canon EOS 7D
400mm f2.8
ISO 640
Shutter speed 1/6400
F stop 5.6
Exposure bias 0

Small crop, sharpened

[Richard Flack]

I was very undersided in terms of which image to post, so I hope you don't mind me posting both. I would really like to know which one you prefer. Look forward to your comments,

[Daniel Cadieux]

I prefer the first for the better head angle and near wing position. At first I thought it was a large crop until I read your description saying its a small crop. If critically sharp then I'm thinking your sharpening for these images have made the details look coarse. In any case, swallows are not easy to pull off in flight so kudos getting this fella in the frame.

[Richard Flack]

Thanks Daniel, got the crop wrong, was over 50% so pretty big (not small).

[Alan Murphy]

Image with the wings up is the one I prefer. Very nice.

[arash_hazeghi]

this is a tough subject to focus on and you did well, the IQ has suffered a bit from the crop as Dan noted but still nice

[gail bisson]

Another vote for the OP.
Pretty awesome filed technique to get one of these fast flyers in flight.
IQ issues already discussed,
Gail

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Richard, these fast flyers certainly arent easy to get, so well done for getting him in the frame. I prefer the OP for the wing position, but like the repost for the BG. I would try and smoothen out the BG.