I wish that I could say that I planned this cool image of an Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) in flight, but the truth is that I did not even know that I had taken a shot like this until I was reviewing my shots this morning from yesterday’s visit to Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Most of the time when I am photographing birds, even those that are perched, I shoot in short bursts to try to capture different head and wing positions. In this case, the bluebird must have taken off as I was depressing the shutter button. In most situations like this, the resulting image is out of focus or shows only the back side of the departing bird.
Yesterday, however, I was very lucky and the bluebird flew to the side and remained more or less in focus. In wildlife photography, luck almost always plays some role in getting good images—yesterday it played a major role.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Gorgeous
Thanks, Tricia. It was great seeing you and hearing your voice earlier this week on Zoom. I had ordered a copy of the new Black Bough winter edition and I am enjoying reading through the poems contained therein.
Cool shot, Mike. Sometimes the luck is with us…
Great shot! I’d take luck like that any day!
As I like to say, luck provides the opportunity sometimes, but skill and quick reflexes (that came from a lot of practice) helped me to take advantage of the opportunity.
I agree, there’s definitely a lot more than just luck involved in getting a great shot like that. But I never turn down a little luck when it comes my way.
Great shot. Wow!
Thanks, Laura. I love bluebirds and getting one in flight was a wonderful extra bonus.
Thank you so much, Mike. You are such a support, and inspiration, for us poets. I’ve not seen the book yet as it’s been wrapped up for Christmas. I can’t wait to see it. Merry Christmas, Mike, and thank you for all the wonderful photos you share.
Very nice Mike! Great Bluebird in flight image!