Trumpeter Swan Departure #3

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1

Trumpeter Swan Departure #3
Trumpeter Swan Departure #32560×1440 1.27 MB

There is a pond just down the road from my home which is actually just a wide spot in a stream before it goes under the highway through a culvert. I was on the way home and saw 4 transient Trumpeter Swans in the pond so I stopped and took a number of photos. I was shooting with my 200-600 mm lens and getting good closeups when they started dipping their heads and swimming upstream. From experience, I knew they were preparing to leave and because of the geography of the pond I knew they would have to make their takeoff run almost directly toward me. I quickly went back to my truck and switched to my 70-200 f2.8 lens so that I could get a wide enough angle when they got close. Just as I sat down on the culvert, they made their run and took off right in front of me. It all happened pretty fast and I had to zoom out, keep at least 3 of them in the frame and maintain focus as they ultimately flew directly over my head. I got 4 good frames of them in the air. This is #3 of those 4. The 4th swan took off late and wasn’t close enough to include it.

Specific Feedback Requested

Any & all

Technical Details

Sony a6500, SEL70200GM @ 92 mm, ISO-320, f/2.8, 1/4000, hand held.

2 Likes
2

Hi Gary,

They all fit in the frame nicely with some room to spare. I think that the comp works nicely and the swans appear to be choreographed as they make their climb out of the pond…,.,Jim

3

Excellent work, Gary. Great job keeping them all in focus and in the frame. I have trouble enough with one bird. I like the composition and the wider lens gives a good sense of the environment.

4

Outstanding job on the focus, wing position, and exposure.