This article features a selection of handheld photographs of Barn Swallow… many of which are in flight. The images were captured at Hendrie Valley. In my local area I typically have many more opportunities to capture images of Tree Swallows as compared to Barn Swallows. This is mainly due to an abundance of nesting boxes that are frequented by Tree Swallows.

NOTE: Click on images to enlarge.

Like other swallow species, Barn Swallows are quite fast and somewhat erratic flyers. As a result it can be challenging to capture them in free flight. Studying the birds and identifying flight patterns can be useful so a photographer can position themselves appropriately.

I’ve had limited success photographing Barn Swallows in free flight n the past. Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking is very helpful when photographing these ‘pocket rockets’ in flight. As is my standard practice when photographing birds in free flight, I use this technology in combination with Pro Capture L

Barn Swallows are the most widely distributed and abundant swallow species in the world. It breeds throughout the Northern Hemisphere and winters in much of the Southern Hemisphere. They most often build their cup-shaped nests on human-made structures. Barn Swallows are easily recognized by their forked tails.

When opportunities present themselves, I prefer to use Pro Capture H to photograph Barn Swallows taking flight. I find this technology allows me to get a wider assortment of images that depict subtle differences in wing and body positions.

I used my standard Pro Capture H settings for the photographs of Barn Swallows taking flight featured in this article. I utilized a frame rate of 60 frames-per-second. Pre-Shutter Frames and Frame Limiter were both set to 15. This combination of settings gives me an opportunity to capture 15 consecutive images in a total time of 1/4 of a second.

It was the hat-making trade’s impact on Barn Swallows that prompted George Bird Grinnell to write an essay that decried the waste of bird life. This appeared in Forest & Stream in 1886. This essay led to the founding of the first Audubon Society.

Barn Swallows eat insects and the birds are often found flying quite low above the ground or over water as they dart after their prey.

An unmated male may kill the chicks of a nesting pair. This sometimes will break up the mated pair, and give the aggressive interloper an opportunity to mate with the female.

I specifically look for opportunities to photograph small birds like Barn Swallows taking off in amongst branches and twigs. I like the environmental context that these details add to an image.

Like most folks who enjoy bird photography, I tend to focus my efforts on image opportunities that may yield my ‘shot of the day’. The photograph above of two Barn Swallows taking flight in unison wasn’t my ‘shot of the day’. It was the next photograph in my Pro Capture H image run that is illustrated below.

The technology that is becoming increasingly available in cameras today is mind boggling. It enables more photographers to capture their ‘shot of the day’ on a more consistent basis. It’s these moments that keep us coming back day after day with our cameras… and enjoying the wonders of nature.

 Technical Note

Photographs were captured handheld using camera gear as noted in the EXIF data. Images were produced from RAW files using my standard process. This is the 1,302 article published on this website since its original inception in 2015.

How you can help keep this site advertising free

My intent is to keep this photography blog advertising free. If you enjoyed this article and/or my website and would like to support my work, you can purchase an eBook, or make a donation through PayPal. Both are most appreciated.

Our eBooks…

The Finding Visual Expression eBook is designed to provide readers with some photographic inspiration and composition ideas. The Little Camera That Could details our extensive experience using the Nikon 1 system. Our eBooks also include a number of travel photography publications including Images of Ireland, New Zealand Tip-to-Tip, Desert & Mountain Memories, Images of Greece, and Nova Scotia Photography Tour. We also have a business leadership parable… Balancing Eggs.

Donations support this website…

If you click on the Donate button below you will find that there are three donation options: $7.50, $10.00 and $20.00. All are in Canadian funds. Plus, you can choose a different amount if you want. You can also increase your donation amount to help offset our costs associated with accepting your donation through PayPal. An ongoing, monthly contribution to support our work can also be done through the PayPal Donate button below.

You can make your donation through your PayPal account, or by using a number of credit card options.

Word of mouth is the best form of endorsement. If you like our website please let your friends and associates know about our work. Linking to this site or to specific articles is allowed with proper acknowledgement. Reproducing articles, or any of the images contained in them, on another website or in any social media posting is a Copyright infringement.

Article and images are Copyright 2023 Thomas Stirr. All rights reserved. No use, duplication or adaptation of any kind is allowed without written consent. If you see this article reproduced anywhere else it is an unauthorized and illegal use. Posting comments on offending websites and calling out individuals who steal intellectual property is always appreciated!