I had the pleasure this morning of visiting a Cliff Swallow colony on a farm near where I live. We are studying the breeding success of the pairs at this and other locations. Swallows are examples of aerial insectivores that are declining dramatically, hence the interest. These are two chicks, still being fed by parents, but it won't be long before they leave.
Cliff Swallows nest under bridges and the eaves of buildings so the light is often low-level, as it was here. I helped the exposure along with some fill flash, cut back just to fill. BTW I only used the flash after I asked if it was OK and if the birds would be disturbed (they weren't).
For processing I cropped pretty tight and sharpened. I also removed the flash catchlights in the eyes.
Comments welcome.
Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
Lens: EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4x, @ 700 mm
Program: Aperture Priority
ISO 800, 1/300s, f/6.3
Exp. comp.: +0.3
Flash: on, Flash exp. comp.: -1.4







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