Reader Stephen Barnard in Idaho has sent two photos, one of which (first below) is among his best pictures so far: a tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor):
These are difficult to capture in flight. Conditions have be to ideal: good light and stiff headwind.
A family of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos):
Diana MacPherson has sent another chipmunk picture. Sadly, this one appears to have mange, and I don’t know if that affliction, cause by mites) ever goes away. But it’s a cute photo nonetheless, as the beast has a cheek full of seeds.
I put several cups of seeds out for the chipmunks today & agricola chipmunk made many trips to stash them somewhere. I noticed the loss of hair on the nose before but wondered if it was just matted from being wet. You can see it is some bald spots. Also, the tail is all bereft of the fluffy fur of a regular chipmunk tail. I suspect this is a mom chipmunk. Still cute though, despite the mange.
I have to make a comment on Stephen Barnard’s photography: It is breathtaking!
I know how much trouble my wife goes to for a good shot, so I can’t imagine how much effort Stephen puts forth for the incredible action photos he is now famous for, at least on this site…
Not only is Stephen very good, he’s constantly improving. There’s been a definite upward trajectory over the past several months.
All the practicing might have something to do with it….
b&
Try catching a swallow in flight with a telephoto lens. By my estimate it is absolutely impossible yet he pulls off these masterpieces over and over again.
Exactly!
Amazing pictures.
The swallow is lovely. There were some grebes building a nest on the water yesterday but I was sans camera. 🙁
Baihu and I just got back from a walk in South Mountain Park…and, would you believe? We saw a couple probable chipmunks scampering about in underbrush.
…and, as it turns out, the ice pack I put in the top compartment of the Camelbak was likely unnoticeable, but all the ice water I had in the Camelbak proper that I kept wetting his coat with when I wasn’t drinking it was plenty to keep him from panting. So, now I know: don’t bother with the ice pack, just make sure I’ve got plenty of ice water for the both of us.
b&