Metallic blue beauties ...

Avatar · 18th February 2004

Remarkably beautiful creatures with an orange and metallic blue body, Pacific Swallows are rather common residents of our island state. These swift little avians are commonly found where there are either water or open spaces.

Spent an entire afternoon with chngpe01 out to catch these tiny little avians in their habitat. I present thee, my take on the Pacific Swallows ...

"Dragonheart"

[f/5.6, 1/750, ISO 400, CWM, 1/2 Manual Flash]
This pose is strikingly in resemblance to that of the Dragon in the movie, Dragonheart.

Flaps

[f/6.3, 1/640, ISO 400, CWM, Manual Flash]
Arched wings like the one above normally act as flaps to aid the reduction of speed so that a bird can land safely on a perch, all these with unerring timing and precision.

High-pitch chirp

[f/5.6, 1/1250, ISO 640, 3D Color Matrix, Manual Flash]
Caught this one giving out a high-pitch chirp to its mate.

Noisy takeoff

[f/5.6, 1/1250, ISO 640, CWM, Manual Flash]
This particular shot caught me and my fellow photographer by surprise, the swallow literally launched itself towards us, daredevil style and chirping away noisily, it flew off with a stunning display of aerial aerobatic. We simply didn't have the time to reduce the strength of our manually driven flashes.

For your comments and critiques.

espn · 18th February 2004

Arrrrghhhhhh you manage to catch it!

I like the 2nd and last shot best. Excellent framing and sharpness.

Madcat II · 18th February 2004

these are great!!

hwchoy · 18th February 2004

si beh good

where can you find them stopping at perch? I've only seen them rushing around looking for insects.

Harlequin · 18th February 2004

Seems like you kena the Swallow flu liao...go back and shoot what you've missed for the past few days....
Good shots there.

rncw · 18th February 2004

very good space in the first pic...like the pose of the subject too...

waisj · 18th February 2004

Simply stunning.... avatar

The first and last appeals to me the most,

The first, a wonderful showcase and the last simply stunning expression of the avian....

Edmund · 18th February 2004

Wow!! These are some of the best bird shots I've seen here yet!!

Shots like these which incorporate action really make the difference.

The first photo is undoubtedly my favourite and looking thru the rest, I can't help but think that if it had its beak open at the same very moment, it would have been even better!

Beautiful shots!!

Garion · 18th February 2004

Excellent shots, Avatar.

1st and 2nd pics especially. I just love the pose and tilt of its head in the 2nd shot. Lovely capture.

skfoo · 18th February 2004

Wah seh! The call of the wild (and the sun) are very strong.

Good captures! Will need higher shutter speed to freeze those wings. They must have had enough rest on Sunday …… that’s why they appear so energetic in these images.

Avatar · 19th February 2004

Thank you everyone for thy kind comments and invaluable input, really appreciate them

hwchoy: They do perch in some prominent places, perhaps you can start by observing their flight pattern, you should be able to "catch" them perching somewhere.

Edmund: Thank you for your very kind complements. Yup, I agree with your observation, they could have been better if more gestures can be captured in conjunction with those above. I will be out to continue with my studies on these little ones, hopefully I will be able to capture more interesting behaviours.

SK/Harlequin: *RIM activation acknowledged* SAT 0500HR

Fred · 19th February 2004

Nice series you've got here, good job!

Avatar · 20th February 2004

Fred, thanks for thy kind comment. I still love your PS in the rain shot, that's IMO a true gem

MatthewSL · 20th February 2004

Beautiful series matey!!! U're doin good!

Avatar · 22nd February 2004

Thanks MatthewSL for your kind comments!

Beachboy · 22nd February 2004

can you let me know what lens are you using ?

Thanks

Avatar · 23rd February 2004

Originally Posted by Beachboy

can you let me know what lens are you using ?

Thanks

Beachboy, it is a Nikon AF-S 500/4

BobCheong · 24th February 2004

Wonderful pics!

Caussway · 24th February 2004

Excellent shots avatar. Love that 1st pic. It's like landing with slow motion.

Avatar · 24th February 2004

Thank you Bob and Caussway

18th February 2004	#1
Avatar Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Singapore / Taiwan Posts: 1,244	Metallic blue beauties ... Remarkably beautiful creatures with an orange and metallic blue body, Pacific Swallows are rather common residents of our island state. These swift little avians are commonly found where there are either water or open spaces. Spent an entire afternoon with chngpe01 out to catch these tiny little avians in their habitat. I present thee, my take on the Pacific Swallows ... "Dragonheart" [f/5.6, 1/750, ISO 400, CWM, 1/2 Manual Flash] This pose is strikingly in resemblance to that of the Dragon in the movie, Dragonheart. Flaps [f/6.3, 1/640, ISO 400, CWM, Manual Flash] Arched wings like the one above normally act as flaps to aid the reduction of speed so that a bird can land safely on a perch, all these with unerring timing and precision. High-pitch chirp [f/5.6, 1/1250, ISO 640, 3D Color Matrix, Manual Flash] Caught this one giving out a high-pitch chirp to its mate. Noisy takeoff [f/5.6, 1/1250, ISO 640, CWM, Manual Flash] This particular shot caught me and my fellow photographer by surprise, the swallow literally launched itself towards us, daredevil style and chirping away noisily, it flew off with a stunning display of aerial aerobatic. We simply didn't have the time to reduce the strength of our manually driven flashes. For your comments and critiques. Last edited by Avatar; 18th February 2004 at 01:34 AM.

18th February 2004	#5
Harlequin Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: East of Singapore Posts: 1,651	Seems like you kena the Swallow flu liao...go back and shoot what you've missed for the past few days.... Good shots there. __________________ http://www.avianwatchasia.org for some real bird photos My website : http://www.gorgeousfeathers.com

18th February 2004	#6
rncw Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Singapore / Japan Posts: 1,969	very good space in the first pic...like the pose of the subject too... __________________ ...

18th February 2004	#7
waisj Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: OZilla Posts: 1,965	Simply stunning.... avatar The first and last appeals to me the most, The first, a wonderful showcase and the last simply stunning expression of the avian.... Last edited by waisj; 18th February 2004 at 11:27 AM.

18th February 2004	#9
Garion Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: West side of S'pore Posts: 5,513	Excellent shots, Avatar. 1st and 2nd pics especially. I just love the pose and tilt of its head in the 2nd shot. Lovely capture. __________________ [ deviantart selections \| Photoblog ]

18th February 2004	#2
espn Deregistered Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Planet Nikon Posts: 22,045	Arrrrghhhhhh you manage to catch it! I like the 2nd and last shot best. Excellent framing and sharpness.

18th February 2004	#3
Madcat II Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: this world is not my home Posts: 826	these are great!!

18th February 2004	#4
hwchoy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tampines, Singapore. Posts: 1,938	si beh good where can you find them stopping at perch? I've only seen them rushing around looking for insects.

18th February 2004	#8
Edmund ClubSNAP Admin Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: ClubSNAP Posts: 2,030	Wow!! These are some of the best bird shots I've seen here yet!! Shots like these which incorporate action really make the difference. The first photo is undoubtedly my favourite and looking thru the rest, I can't help but think that if it had its beak open at the same very moment, it would have been even better! Beautiful shots!!

18th February 2004	#10
skfoo Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,187	Wah seh! The call of the wild (and the sun) are very strong. Good captures! Will need higher shutter speed to freeze those wings. They must have had enough rest on Sunday …… that’s why they appear so energetic in these images.

19th February 2004	#11
Avatar Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Singapore / Taiwan Posts: 1,244	Thank you everyone for thy kind comments and invaluable input, really appreciate them hwchoy: They do perch in some prominent places, perhaps you can start by observing their flight pattern, you should be able to "catch" them perching somewhere. Edmund: Thank you for your very kind complements. Yup, I agree with your observation, they could have been better if more gestures can be captured in conjunction with those above. I will be out to continue with my studies on these little ones, hopefully I will be able to capture more interesting behaviours. SK/Harlequin: RIM activation acknowledged SAT 0500HR

19th February 2004	#12
Fred Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,240	Nice series you've got here, good job!

20th February 2004	#13
Avatar Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Singapore / Taiwan Posts: 1,244	Fred, thanks for thy kind comment. I still love your PS in the rain shot, that's IMO a true gem

20th February 2004	#14
MatthewSL Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Melbourne Posts: 156	Beautiful series matey!!! U're doin good!

22nd February 2004	#15
Avatar Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Singapore / Taiwan Posts: 1,244	Thanks MatthewSL for your kind comments!

22nd February 2004	#16
Beachboy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Singapore, Jurong East Posts: 1,104	can you let me know what lens are you using ? Thanks

24th February 2004	#18
BobCheong Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 665	Wonderful pics!

24th February 2004	#19
Caussway Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 995	excellent Excellent shots avatar. Love that 1st pic. It's like landing with slow motion.