Swallows in flight

 Really testing the auto-focus of the Canon R62 with the 400DO2 and 1.4x converter in pretty poor light as that is the only time hirundines are feeding low down as a rule in a predictable area -pretty pleased with the results but a lot of arm and back ache involved

Swallows and Swifts

all on the dull and cold days of course

Barn Swallows

the weather today around here was dire -- persistent drizzle becoming rain at times and a cold northerly wind meant very few insects were on the wing; Barn Swallows concentrated around the roadbeds with birds picking insects off the reed stems in flight, something I have never seen before -- 

Swallows and Slavonian Grebe

the only big gathering of Swallows this spring so far on a wet and cold day; the Slavonian Grebe has been here for 47 days now but is still not in decent summer plumage

juvenile Swallows

after the appalling weather it was really good to see 32 juvenile Swallows perched on this one fence this morning; note also the very strange bright light effect visible at 07:35 -- it didn't last but we missed all the rain today

the Swallow and the midge

before and after -- it would have to be a lop-sided bird

fledging Swallows

with gales and rain forecast for the weekend maybe not the best time to fledge -- the adults were catching very few insects for the brood this morning

fighting Swallows

presumably two males from tailstreamer length

fledgling Swallows

a variety of shots from the feeding antics of this brood of 4 juveniles being fed by their parents in strong cold, northerly winds --a good job the horses were producing plenty of insects in the paddocks