Barn Swallows are back

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Barn Swallows are back

April 28, 2014 by Mike Powell

Tree Swallows have been flying about for several weeks, but it was only this weekend that I finally observed one of their multi-colored brethren, the Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica). Last year, the Barn Swallows built a nest underneath a raised observation platform of the boardwalk at my local marsh, and it looks like they are doing the same thing this year.

I was able to photograph this swallow as it perched on a small branch coming out of the water directly opposite the platform. The sky was mostly overcast during the day, which caused the reflections in the water to look mostly white. As I made a few adjustments to the image, the background essentially disappeared, resulting in a photo that looks almost like it was shot in a studio.

I really like the swallow’s serious pose and the fact that I was able to capture its signature swallow tail. It won’t be long before I see swallowtails on some of my favorite butterflies.

Posted in Art, Birds, Nature, Photography, Portraits, spring, wildlife | Tagged Alexandria VA, Barn Swallow, Canon 50D, Canon 70-300mm telephoto zoom lens, Hirundo rustica, Huntley Meadows Park, swallow | 10 Comments

10 Responses

on April 28, 2014 at 6:42 am | Reply Gill McGrath

Fabulous. Looks as if the bird was in control of his own image. He should be well pleased!
- on April 28, 2014 at 6:55 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. I would photograph human subject more if I could get the same degree of cooperation. 🙂
  - on April 28, 2014 at 6:57 am Gill McGrath
    
    Ha Ha 🙂
on April 28, 2014 at 7:10 am | Reply New Hampshire Gardener

I think that’s an excellent shot. I like the background.
on April 28, 2014 at 9:58 am | Reply Sue

Perfect. Cloudy days do provide some of the best images.
- on April 29, 2014 at 4:18 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  I definitely agree, Sue, as long as the clouds aren’t too heavy–diffused light is great, but it’s a tough when there’s not enough light, especially for subjects like birds in flight.
on April 29, 2014 at 9:25 am | Reply Jet Eliot

What a great photo, Mike. Perching time for a swallow is typically very short, I can’t imagine you had much time to snap this one.
- on April 30, 2014 at 5:24 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. This swallow stayed on this perch for a good little while. It seemed like he was resting and doing a little grooming before setting off again. Still, I had to shoot quickly, because the swallows are so unpredictable (I’ve tried to photograph them in flight and find it almost impossible to track them with my camera).
on April 30, 2014 at 1:05 am | Reply Marco Pesaresi

A superb shot of a beautiful bird, I also like the pose you’ve captured here as well Mike.
- on April 30, 2014 at 5:15 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Marco. It’s not often that a bird will perch in an area with an unobstructed background.