With the torrential rains continuing most afternoons and some evenings, driving on the fields at Indian Lake Estates is 100% unsafe — I’d get stuck for sure. So, I have been walking the pier every morning and doing quite well photographing birds on the railings: Great Egret, Green Heron, Black-belied Whistling Duck, Turkey Vulture, Boat-tailed Grackle, and Red-shouldered Hawk. <\/p>\n
On Monday, dozens of migrating Barn Swallows were flying around the pier snatching gnats — there was a huge hatch the last two mornings — from the surface of Lake Weohyakapka (Lake Walk-in-Water). On Tuesday there were hundreds. I’ve learned a lot while using the Sony 400-800 GM lens to photograph the swallows in flight. Keep reading to learn about the near-impossible task of photographing swallow in flight. And while you are at it, learn about two new, amazing, ridiculously small and light, Sony f\/6.3 super-telephoto lenses. <\/p>\n
Note: General information, copy editing, re-crafting, technical refinement, and formatting for this blog post were assisted by Gemini AI.<\/p>\n
Which of today’s three featured Barn Swallow flight shots is the strongest? Why did you make your choice?<\/p>\n
In the last blog post only two folks left a comment \ud83d\ude41 Both liked Image #1, the Least Sandpiper with the raised foot. My favorite was Image #2, the Least Sandpiper eyeing the fly. Why? It told the story of why the bird was hanging out on the pier railing. <\/p>\n
As above, bird photography on the pier at ILE has been both exciting and the only game in town.<\/p>\n
Today is Wednesday 23 September 2026. I will of course be heading down to the lake a few minutes after sunrise to see if this trend continues. Whatever you opt to do, I hope that you choose to have fun and enjoy life. Please remember that happiness is a choice — Byron Katie – The Work.Com<\/a> <\/p>\n If an item \u2014 a Delkin flash card or reader<\/a>, a Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro<\/a>, or a Wimberley lens plate <\/a> or low foot<\/a> — for example, that is available from B&H and\/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match or beat any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedford by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and\/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation. <\/p>\n Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BirdPhotographer’s.Net<\/a>, are — out of ignorance — using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads. And the same is true in spades when ordering new camera bodies or lenses. My advice will often save you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.<\/a> If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.<\/p>\n This image was created by yours truly on 21 September 2026 from the end of the pier at Indian Lake Estates. I used the handheld Sony FE 400-800mm f\/6.3-8 G OSS lens (Sony E)<\/a> (at 800mm) and The Latest Greatest Sony Flagship Body, the a1 II Mirrorless Camera<\/a>. The exposure was determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel. ISO 2500: 1\/3200 second at f\/9 (stopped down 1\/3 stop in error) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:26:32am on sunny morning. <\/p>\n Tracking: Zone\/AF-C with Bird-Eye\/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy the larger high-res version.<\/p>\nGear Questions and Advice<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\n \n \n \n Image #1: Barn Swallow — dorsal view of juvenile in flight
\nImage copyright 2026: Arthur Morris\/BIRDS AS ART