Birds in flight.

 

This bird  needs little introduction if you a European. It's a Robin  (Erithacus rubecula), not to be confused of course with the American Robin (Turdus migratorius) which is really a thrush of course and at least twice the size. The Robin could quite easily win a prize for Britain's most well loved bird. It's a confiding and friendly bird but in reality quite aggressive and never tolerant of another in it's territory, apart from it's mate in the breeding season. This is probably the best in-flight shot I have taken of one in spite of numerous attempts.

 

Then, I go and take another reasonable photo of one in flight. This time, the Nuthatch was defending it's space. Whilst Robins are aggressive to each other, Nuthatches are a strong little bird that can be very aggressive to other birds. At this feeding site on the edge of the wood, a pair of Robins hold a territory. The male is more inquisitive and visits regularly  to find food with a preference for sunflower hearts by the way.  I am quite certain that the female is sitting on eggs somewhere nearby on a second round and I know that they have already produced chicks because yesterday a young Robin arrived at the feeders. Incidentally, young Robin's do not have a Red Breast but are speckled. They acquire the red brest after their post juvenile moult  by the start of Autumn. I think it's quite interesting to note that female Robins are very secretive when they are breeding and even though I know there is a female somewhere nearby I rarely see her but I have seen the male feeding her a couple of times.

 

It was certainly a day for "flight" shots yesterday and my efforts are starting to pay off.  The bigger the bird the easier it is but what I am trying to achieve is close ups with a blured background, that's called the "bokah" by the way.  With a 500 lens to achieve that background effect, the subject is only in the frame for a fraction of the time and it is also a big challenge to focus on the bird to make sure that it is in focus.  Rather than follow the bird with the lens, I position the camera where I am expecting the subject to pass through and then fire the shutter on burst mode when the bird flies in.  Reflexes are important and any hesitation means that you have another long wait for the bird to arrive again. It's demanding but very exciting as well.