Purple Martin in flight

[Isaac Grant]

I have a local Purple Martin colony and go there sometimes in the evening to try and capture them in flight. This time I tried using the 500 hand held on them. Needless to say it is not easy at all with these avian bullets.

Canon 7d2 and Canon 500 f4 ii. ISO 800, SS 1/1600, F 6.3, +1 off the sky. Hand held. 3 focus points on the bottom wing and tail very close to the body.

Converted in DPP 4. Daylight white balance. In PS I cropped, sharpened and applied NR to background.

[gail bisson]

Very very good! Shows off your perseverance and technical skill well.
Tack sharp, nice catchlight, great IQ.Wing and tail spread excellent and I like your comp.
Like the dangling feet too.
Well done,
Gail

[Isaac Grant]

Thanks Gail. I have a lot of fun trying to get shots of these birds. They certainly present a serious challenge.

[Norm Dulak]

It's extremely difficult to photograph these swift fliers. Very well done!