Photographing swallows in flight, no matter how much planning, is also about luck. Here we found a flock, apparently selecting mates, working around a single pipe sticking up out of a marsh. As long as we had an idea of where they should be we were good.
A mate is selected based on their flying display. We watched, and captured, this fascinating show.
A female ( an assumption on my part) would land on the pipe and others would fly, swoop, and sometimes brush, by her. If one was too close they met in mid air.
When a bird flew away from the pipe others would either land or circle around it.
Select any image below to view the gallery.
Swallows, In Flight Speed Dating – Click To Enlarge
Swallows, In Flight Speed Dating – Click To Enlarge
Swallows, In Flight Speed Dating – Click To Enlarge
Swallows, In Flight Speed Dating – Click To Enlarge
Swallows, In Flight Speed Dating – Click To Enlarge
Swallows, In Flight Speed Dating – Click To Enlarge
Swallows, In Flight Speed Dating – Click To Enlarge
Swallows, In Flight Speed Dating – Click To Enlarge
Swallows, In Flight Speed Dating – Click To Enlarge
Swallows, In Flight Speed Dating – Click To Enlarge
Swallows, In Flight Speed Dating – Click To Enlarge
This must have been amazing to witness
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We see a lot of swallows zipping around over the marshes. being so fast, and random, I usually don’t pay much attention. Ellen spotted them all bunched up. They were out over water (alligator directly underneath) so felt safe and far enough from us.
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My comment was sent before adding – terrific photographs!
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Spectacular photos!!
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Thank you.
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These are amazing!
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Thank you very much.
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Brilliant work Ted. Well spotted Ellen.
These were great pics to see.
Cheers,
Frank
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Thank you. Ellen has not published her images yet. And I have not seen most of them either. We work together separately. 😃
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Sounds like a fine way to go about the business Ted.
Cheers, F~
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Really awesome pictures what a cool thing to be able to witness
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It was pretty impressive. And….I can show you too 😀😀
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Wow! I love the compositions where you captured the swallows interacting in mid-air. Great captures!
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Thank you. There were many more but distance was an issue. We were limited to only including the images here that were very close to each other.
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Wonderful photos.
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Thank you very much.
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Super photo series!
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Thank you. Stop by again. I’m hoping for a followup.
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Love it
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Thanks. The first time I have ever captured so many together.
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wonderful photos and excellent wildlife observation!
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Thanks. The little birds are always tricky for me.
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