Barn Swallow Set-up

[Alan Murphy]

Barn Swallow

Upper Texas Coast

D2Xs, 600, ISO 250, f5.6, 1/250.

I set a stick up next to a small bridge where Barn Swallows were nesting and checked back the next day to find the birds using it as a perch.
I knew I would have the sun at my back in the early morning and that I would have a distant green background. On the morning I decided to shoot, I attached this small Oak perch to top the stick with zip-ties.
Since the bridge was used by cars, I used my car as a blind and was able to get as close as I liked.
The calling pose is nice but I sometimes feel that putting the extra work into the perch can raise the level of your imagery.
I did not have sunlight the morning I took this (It was cloudy), that is why I have a limited DOF. I also added a catchlight to the eye.

[Matthew Studebaker]

it's a beauty Alan. You don't find these guys perching too often so this is a great catch. i love the shape of the leaves on this tree species. they are the perfect size also, so as not to visually overwhelm the bird. very nice.

[Manos Papadomanolakis]

beautiful singing pose and stunning bg!

[Glenn Bartley]

To get this species perched, calling AND on with a great BG....well that is just too much!!

[Tony Whitehead]

Great reward for all that preparation, Alan. Diffused light works really well.

[Wil Hershberger]

Yes, a great reward for the preparation. Very well executed. The calling pose takes to the top of the list. Excellent work Alan.

[Joe Senzatimore]

Why am I not surprised that you have created another masterpiece???????

[Kiran Poonacha]

I have loads of images of this Beauty bhai, but never seen them calling like this, works great Bhai, congrats..

[Danny Laredo]

Alan, this is outstanding. Great perch BG detail and pose.