Bank Swallow perched on a rush – Nikon D200, f/6.3, 1/500, ISO 250, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
This Bank Swallow photo feels like I took it a lifetime ago. It was taken on July 30, 2009 at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge shortly after I moved to Utah. I’d only been in the state a little over two weeks by the time I photographed this swallow.
Since I was a new arrival I was busy pouring through all of my bird guides studying all the birds I might possibly see in my newly adopted state so I would know them by sight. I also marveled at finding birds I was familiar with from photographing them in Florida is different habitats here than where I found them there.
This Bank Swallow was a lifer for me but at that time I wasn’t writing about birds here on my site so that milestone went unnoticed by everyone except me. I know I had seen Bank Swallows before that date in July of 2009. I count birds as lifers only when I get a photo of them. Sometimes it is a poor photo although in this case I liked the images that I took of this bird.
I’ve learned so much about the birds in Utah in the twelve years I have been here. I know where to look for them, how to identify them by sight and sound, what they eat, when they nest, when they migrate, and how to approach them to get the photos I want.
But here is the thing. I have very few photos of Banks Swallows and I want more of them so I recognize that I will have to make changes in order to get the photos of this species that I desire. It is as simple as that.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Bank Swallow photos plus facts and information about this species.
Very nice portrait. It was one of my very first life birds as a tween in New Jersey. They dug their nests (along with kingfishers) in a sandy bank along the Passaic River. Finally got my first photo of one in New Mexico, oh so many years later. Now you have me wondering what my life list would look like if it included only birds I photographed. Probably would be humbling.
What a ‘lert little beauty. And thank you (again) for your dedication and your research.
Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge, day-in and day-out!
This is a very pretty bird, that I did not know about. I am glad you spotted him, and could get a nice shot. Always keep your camera at the ready. 🙂