White-throated Needletail

[Colin Driscoll]

These amazing Swifts spend their time between Australia and Japan during the warm seasons, nesting in Japan. They are very fast and maneuverable and take some getting in the frame at reasonable proximity.
1DXII 400mm F/2.8L II 1/2500 f5 ev+.7 iso800 HH

[Randy Stout]

Colin:

I have had little luck with swallows and swifts because of their darting, erratic flight, so appreciate your capture.

Framing works well with the diagonal of the wings.

There is a small sharpening halo above the top of the head near the wing root.

Cheers

Randy

[Colin Driscoll]

Thanks Randy, actually not a sharpening halo but my careless dodging of the eye!

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Very nice photo Colin. These would be the easier ones (IMHO) to shoot, but getting them low enough in good light is what is the hardest thing to achieve, as there are no ways to attract them in. Well done. It's probably the best photo of one I have ever seen!

[Colin Driscoll]

To do the bird justice I have cleaned up the untidy edge. Thanks Ákos, nearly 50 attempts to snag this one.