Taken at Nylsvley over the weekend. Swallows were lined up on the fence along the road taking off to hawk insects. Positioned myself with the wind behind me and photographed these guys as they landed and took off from the fence. Very few keepers but great fun and pleased with this one, would have prefered an adult though.
50D/EF500f4/f4.5@1/3200/iso400/EC+0.33 - About 50% FF cloned out the fence wire and OOF bird in BG.
You have excelled here Pieter. Good head on capture, and love the HA, and banking angle. I have never been to Nylsvlei, but believe the water is quite far from where you can shoot. ( I realise this was from the road. )
Congrats on getting this guy. I have spent some frustrating but fun times trying to capture or local swallows as the hawk bugs over fields and ponds. Unless they have a particular perch or nest they are going to, I find their flight patterns erratic enough that catching them in focus is difficult.
Thanks a stack for all your comments, very much appreciated.
Doug agree it can do with more sharpening, I am a little too careful not to oversharpen.
Stuart I was a little disappointed with Nylsvley, not realy geared up for photography. I think the hides are more geared for bird watching hence me photographing on the road. Still a beautiful birding area.