ALMOST! .... a work-in-progress

[Loupey]

For those of you who have been here long enough, you know that I've been working on capturing a particular image for nearly 3 years. This goal was inspired by another member - specifically this image by Bevb.

In the countless images I've taken since then, I have only come close twice. In the first, I had the shot perfectly aligned (swallow about 10" away from the bug - both in full free flight, bird's mouth wide open) but I missed the focus terribly.

This shot was taken this past weekend. About half a second too late for the mid-air grab.


Getting closer...

[Frog]

You must be a very patient and persistant person.
I like this shot.....the swallow looks so streamlined.

[AgingEyes]

I noticed that many purple martin shots have bug/dragonfly in their beaks. Don't know if it is easier with purple martins. Last time I got a tree swallow climbing up after catching a bug close to the water. It's blurry but I could see it has somthing in its beak. So, you never know, the ponds may be another good place to try that kind of shots. Then there's always the area around the bird nests.

[OldClicker]

So close! I'm still trying for a good BIF and you want one with a bug!!! I hope you get it soon just to find out what the next challenge is. - TF

[Loupey]

Thanks, guys. Yeah, it's that half a moment before the capture that I'm looking for.

It's one thing to try to out think a bird to know where it's going to be. But another thing altogether to try to predict where an insect is going to be.

However, the birds tell us when the catch is going to be. The wings go "flap flap flap flap" (usually in a climb) then the catch, then "glide glide glide" (usually in a slight decent). The tough part is to catch the exact moment between the flap and the glide because the bug is invisible in the viewfinder at these speeds.

[lionman]

oh wow very impressive that is a nice shot and hard to capture as well can you tell me how you maneged to get it please

[Martin Brazil]

Do you remember this one Loupey ? I have to admit it was not a deliberate shot but rather an unexpected result. It does not have the quality of Bevb's shot or your swallow but the bug is there.
I guess this is a challenge that could keep you busy for years, but then again you might get your shot this weekend. Good luck.

[Loupey]

oh wow very impressive that is a nice shot and hard to capture as well can you tell me how you maneged to get it please

Thank you.

Crank up the shutter speed to at least 1/2000s, hand-hold the camera/lens, try to track and focus at the same time, shoot a lot of frames.

For sunny day shots, I shoot at 1/2000s, f/5.6, and ISO 400.

[Loupey]

Do you remember this one Loupey ?

Sure do! For those who don't, here is the link to Martin's post:

Lunch on the wing

And Martin, you're absolutely right - my shot could come tonight, tomorrow, or in a few years.


So don't expect this post to be updated anytime soon

[paulnj]

You will need more luck than skill to match that image (without high tech setups that is).

You are getting there and have the skill for sure, now let's just get that luck :thumbsup:

[SARtech]

Love the shot, and you will get that "one" I know it. Thanks for the tips too!

[Loupey]

Hi, gang -

Thought I might update this thread after all. Since the initial post, I've come close half a dozen times or so. Here are some BLOOPERS so you can see what I'm after.

Seems I've got the timing down. But my focusing is lagging the shutter finger by quite a margin. These bloopers are all mega crops anyway so even if I nailed the focus, I wouldn't be able to do much with them.


... still working on it...