Things that can fly are a fun and sometimes rewarding challenge. The more you observe them or try to photograph them the more you appreciate the large variances in speed and predictability. In general bigger species are more predictable and easier to capture than smaller ones are. Great advances in autofocus have made some of this easier but there is just no substitute for lots of observation and repetition. Even with great autofocus capturing a lot of images quickly increases your chances but also means a lot of work after the fact to determine what is a keeper. The normal photo variables of depth of field and shutter speed are, of course important. Do you want the wings to be blurred a bit (I often do) and if so, how much of a blur you want determines your shutter speed and that is widely different for a hummingbird vs. a great egret.
Shooting hummingbirds, for example, is an exercise in patience and trying to blend in. When they are used to you they can tolerate you a bit. You still don’t want to make sudden movements. I like to mostly freeze their wings which means a shutter speed of 1/2000th of a second of faster. i.e. depending on the light a camera that has low noise at higher ISO values is helpful.
They are not at all predictable. Most of my best shots are recognizing that they are hovering to think about taking a drink. Aim, focus and fire. This might not work for everybody but I will usually shoot them with both eyes open so I can catch movement.
These little beauties are very territorial which means some crazy action shots are possible.
In contrast, Bald Eagles are relatively easier to shoot with their slower wing speed and more predictable flight patterns.
They do tend to not fly a lot because of the great effort that takes. If they are flying they want food. Sometimes they have earned that food and sometimes they have stolen it from another Eagle.
The other thing about Eagles is that generally you need a BIG lens. I tend to use 500mm – 600mm since it is unusual to be able to get very close to them.
Sometimes it isn’t about capturing flight for me. Wading birds fishing is a challenge and can provide some dramatic moments like this pair of Great Egrets who both found a fish to go after at the same time. Thankfully I was ready too. This is always a very quick movement. This shutter speed was 1/1000th of a second to freeze all motion.
Ducks are usually very fast, somewhat but not totally predictable in their flight patterns. Tracking them in flight makes for nice photos but landing on water can be interesting too. I really like Northern Shoveler like this one as they are not as difficult to capture as some smaller birds like Mergansers and their feathers are amazing. The light will play off of their heads looking green from one angle and purple from another.
There are many sea birds that vary greatly as to how predictable they are. Gulls are not terribly difficult and they are plentiful. Terns are very difficult, fast and unpredictable as they dive but look amazing while they hover in the wind sizing up a fish. One of my favorites is the Black Skimmer. When you find these hunting it is a real joy. They are very predictable as their long lower beak skims through the water, snapping shut when the feel contact with a fish. They hunt slowly and glide so they can be captured with relatively slow shutter speeds as you pan with their movement.
I will be posting several different birding albums and likely will dedicate many posts to them as well.
