Hey...this balance beam ain't straight!

[Daniel Cadieux]

I've recently stumbled upon a local area that has 15-20 nest boxes lined up close to the road...about half of which are occupied by Tree Swallows (the other half seem empty). Easy pickings as all I have to do is slowly park my vehicle near an occupied box, turn the engine off, and wait for the action:cool:.

Canon 40D + 100-400L @400mm, aperture priority, evaluative metering, 1/160s., f/7.1, ISO 400, no EC, handheld, car used as blind.

[Christopher C.M. Cooke]

Daniel I find this a very striking photo and I love the wing spread and cocked angle of the head, a beautiful bird and a great capture.

[Paul Kusmin]

pretty sweet shot Daniel, I love the BG and the crooked wire adds interest.
Only nit would be wing-tips more in focus but that can't really be helped.

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Unique pose, I like it. The natural perch makes the shot. Initially, I was thinking the aperture needed more light to increase shutter, but DoF and detail look fine. So, on-balance, well done.

[Mital Patel]

thats something different and i like the perch and the balance act nice facial expression too.

[Mark Dumbleton]

Like the pose and BG. Colours well presented. Well done Dan!

[Stu Bowie]

Good show of the outstretched wing Daniel, and you have exposed those blues on the swallow very well. I like the leaning pose, and who wouldnt, trying to balance on that perch.

[Kobus Tollig]

Great pose bg and well exposed. Great shot well done

[Randy Stout]

Daniel:

Nice one. Now I am waiting for you to get sharp flying shots! I have a somewhat similar situation, with 6 boxes in a 200 yård area, and perched pictures are fairly easy (although your pose is a great one!)

The little varmits are a challenge to catch flying however.

I know you can do it!!

Randy

[stephen farmer]

Very nice shot,the whites look a little hot to me.


Steve.