Low light Tree Swallow – Nikon D810, f6.3, 1/400, ISO 800, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I haven’t really spent any time photographing Tree Swallows this spring, they arrived some time ago but because Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge had been closed due to flooding I wasn’t able get to where I normally see them in abundance right after they first arrived.
Last year I was able to spend time photographing this male Tree Swallow in low light in the Targhee National Forest of Idaho and even though the light wasn’t the best I still liked the resulting images. It had been a drizzly morning with thick clouds overhead but as the light got a tiny better I was able to get enough shutter speed to capture sharp images of the swallows as they perched near several nesting cavities in an aspen tree.
I liked the simplicity of the background in this photo and the nice detail in the swallow’s plumage and the texture of the branch it was perched on. I also enjoyed listening to the Tree Swallows that came into the nesting cavity tree.
Listen to the calls of a Tree Swallow here.
I hope to have more opportunities with swallows while they are here for their breeding season this year.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Tree Swallow photos plus facts and information about this species.
A small charmer. (The bird is small but the charm is huge.)
Very nice!
Beautiful image, mia
Calf Creek, Utah late March early April. I have been there during 4 separate springs, the song birds are plentiful and beautiful. We counted 5 different type of swallows including the Violet-green Swallow which is absurdly glowing in the right light. We saw many Indigo Buntings and a few rare Painted Buntings, even though the bird book did not show Painted Buntings in the area. If you have not been there it is well worth the trip just for the scenery alone.
I could watch swallows fly all day. So gorgeous!
Very cool pic. Love the colors and composition. Thanks.
A beautiful image! Such a pretty little bird and such teeny, tiny, dainty, little feet! The blue of the bird is a nice contrast with the interestingly slanted silvery wood perch….