A bit of birds in flight

[elsa hoffmann]

haha Akira - pick up that jaw - it's no good sitting on your chest
 

[Akira]

haha Akira - pick up that jaw - it's no good sitting on your chest
 

Elsa, sorry to be funny.  Frankly this is definitely on of the very few most amazing series of bird photography I've ever seen.

[elsa hoffmann]

Akira - what is life without some laughs 
I really do appreciate your kind words - and I appreciate that you took the time to look and comment

[armando_m]

Just finding those little fast birds through the viewfinder is quite a feat !
The D500 and the lens worked great to AF on the little birds
Great images Elsa

[elsa hoffmann]

Thanks Armando - yes you hit the nail on the head. I havent shot a crop body in a decade - and the D500 makes life very difficult by narrowing the DOF a heck of a lot. I am battling with that part. Thank you for your kind comment

[ColinM]

Some beautiful images here Elsa.
Like Frank, I really like 020 (drinking and admiring it's reflection).

I've sat and watched swallows do this in a holiday swimming pool, but never tried to catch them.

I guess Elsa has slightly higher light levels than maybe Frank does apart form the summer in Germany.

[elsa hoffmann]

Thanks Colin. We were lucky - the light was good - but also bad because it was harsh. South Africa has a LOT of sunshine.
I have also seen them dive bomb a swimming pool - and also didnt bother to try. just seemed impossible

[MILLIREHM]

Amazing shots Elsa and difficult to get -swallows are amongst the most difficult targets

The D500 and the 200-500 - one of the best combos for freehand bird-in-flight photography

I doubt if a gimbal head would be of any help there - its just too slow

[elsa hoffmann]

Thank you Wolfgang!

[Ron Scubadiver]

frozen in time.

[elsa hoffmann]

frozen in time.

[JKoerner007]

Inspirational work, indeed, Elsa.

Small birds like that are very difficult, and you nailed many.

Agree that #2 is the standout ...

I just upgraded to a Wimberly Gimball Head and am going to give it its first whirl this weekend.

Thanks for sharing!

[elsa hoffmann]

Thanks Jack

please would you let me know how the gimbal worked out for you?

[JKoerner007]

Thanks Jack

please would you let me know how the gimbal worked out for you?

Hi Elsa;

Didn't have much luck as far as sightings go, but can definitely say the handling of the Wimberly WH-200 Gimbal II head made me immediately realize I should have bought it a long time ago.

I had a sturdy ballhead previously (RRS BH-55 LR: w/ B2 AS II Clamp), but it is a toy compared to the Wimberly WH-200 Gimbal II. (Nice for cameras w/o collars, and small lenses, though ...)

With a sizeable lens, on a tripod collar, a regular ballhead is inappropriate ...

I am in the process of selling my 300mm VR II, and looking to get a 600mm E FL ED, and it will be especially important to have the right head on that piece of glass.

[elsa hoffmann]

Thanks for the feedback - I havent had much opportunity to use my gimbal either - but I also had the feeling that I should have bought it years ago