Flying During a Snowfall

This article shares a selection of handheld images captured a few day ago of ducks flying during a snowfall at Grimsby harbour. As regular readers know I enjoy pushing my camera gear from time to time just to see what will happen.

NOTE: Click on images to enlarge.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 381 mm, efov 762 mm, f/8.7, 1/2000, ISO-1250, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 3799 pixels on the width, subject distance 19.5 metres

Even though I’ve been using my Olympus camera gear for over two and a half years, I’m still not completely used to the fact that I don’t have to care about the weather. Other than one zoom lens, all of my other M.Zuiko lenses have an IPX-1 rating. My E-M1X bodies have been tested to IPX-3 conditions… although OM Systems only certifies the camera body to IPX-1. Suffice to say my Olympus gear can handle very harsh conditions and a lot of water/moisture falling on it.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 560 mm, efov 1120 mm, f/9, +0.7 EV, 1/2000, ISO-4000, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 5034 pixels on the width, subject distance 22.6 metres

After breakfast a few days ago I checked the weather forecast. It called for cold and blustery conditions, under overcast skies with the likelihood of snow. Not ideal conditions to do any bird-in-flight photography. It did strike me as very good conditions to attempt some test images. So I grabbed some gear and headed out to Grimsby harbour to see if I could photograph some ducks flying in a snowfall.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 370 mm, efov 740 mm, f/8.7, 1/2000, ISO-1250, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 3991 pixels on the width, subject distance 25.7 metres

When I first arrived at the harbour I was greeted with light snowfall. I used my C1 Custom Mode setting on my E-M1X which incorporates Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking in combination with Pro Capture L. I had my Pre-Shutter Frames set to 10, and my Frame Limited turned off. I shot in Manual mode using a single AF point as is my standard practice.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 403 mm, efov 806 mm, f/8.8, +0.7 EV, 1/2000, ISO-4000, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 5034 pixels on the width, subject distance 18.7 metres

Since the harbour is completely frozen over the ducks feed further out and fly back in to congregate along the snow and ice packed shoreline. This creates very good conditions to capture ducks in flight. As the ducks cycled back and forth I captured a range of images. It was so cold and blustery with the wind whipping in off Lake Ontario that I retreated to the car 3 times to get some feeling back in my fingers. Luckily my car has a heat steering wheel!

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 308 mm, efov 616 mm, f/8.5, 1/2000, ISO-1250, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 4388 pixels on the width, subject distance 14.5 metres

Sometimes the ducks would fly back to the harbour area in groups so I had to choose a duck in mid-air on which to focus, then lock in on it as it approached. On occasion I followed the incoming duck right into its landing spot.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 334 mm, efov 668 mm, f/8.6, 1/2000, ISO-2500, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 4137 pixels on the width, subject distance 20.4 metres

This was a good test to see how well Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking with Pro Capture L would hold focus. As I had discovered in earlier test photo sessions with gulls, as long as I used proper technique I had no issues with my E-M1X holding focus. The next three consecutive images are from one of the opportunities when a group of ducks was flying in.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 261 mm, efov 522 mm, f/8.4, 1/2000, ISO-1600, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 4221 pixels on the width, subject distance 14.5 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 261 mm, efov 522 mm, f/8.4, 1/2000, ISO-1600, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 3465 pixels on the width, subject distance 14 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 261 mm, efov 522 mm, f/8.4, 1/2000, ISO-1600, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 4257 pixels on the width, subject distance 13.5 metres

I changed my position along the shoreline a number of times in order to get varying backgrounds and shooting angles, and used a short stool to capture lower angle photographs.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 280 mm, efov 560 mm, f/8.4, 1/2000, ISO-3200, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 4568 pixels on the width, subject distance 11.4 metres

On a few occasions I didn’t notice an incoming duck until it was almost on top of me. In these instances all I had time to do was wheel around and shoot. Even though this was far from proper technique my E-M1X was still able to capture some interesting images.  The duck illustrated above was only 11.4 metres away and flying between two large trees.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 434 mm, efov 868 mm, f/8.9, +0,3 EV, 1/1600, ISO-1250, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 3726 pixels on the width, subject distance 30.9 metres

As the sky darkened I was able to isolate some incoming ducks against a monochromatic background. When shooting from my stool I was able to capture lower angle images with out-of-focus rocks, trees and piles of ice in the background. Some sample images follow.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 434 mm, efov 868 mm, f/8.4, +0.3 EV, 1/1600, ISO-1250, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 3714 pixels on the width, subject distance 34.5 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 280 mm, efov 560 mm, f/8.4, 1/2000, ISO-2500, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 4065 pixels on the width, subject distance 16.9 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 195 mm, efov 390 mm, f/8, 1/2000, ISO-1600, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 3930 pixels on the width, subject distance 15.8 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 293 mm, efov 586 mm, f/8.5, +0.7 EV, 1/1600, ISO-1600, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 3994 pixels on the width, subject distance 16.8 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 195 mm, efov 390 mm, f/8, 1/2000, ISO-1600, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 4217 pixels on the width, subject distance 10.7 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 403 mm, efov 806 mm, f/8.8, +0.7 EV, 1/1600, ISO-2000, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 5094 pixels on the width, subject distance 18.7 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 280 mm, efov 560 mm, /8.4, 1/2000, ISO-2000, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 3669 pixels on the width, subject distance 21.1 metres

The snow conditions varied, as did the lighting depending on the changing density of the cloud cover. I did some slight experimentation with shutter speeds and exposure compensation… both within fairly tight parameters.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 381 mm, efov 762 mm, f/8.7, +0.7 EV, 1/1600, ISO-3200, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 4327 pixels on the width, subject distance 18.4 metres

As the snowfall became heavier I knew that my experiment was drawing to a close as birds will take cover or hunker down in these conditions. The heavier snowfall resulted in some of my favourite images from that day’s photo session.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 560 mm, efov 1120 mm, f/9, +0.7 EV, 1/1600, ISO-2000, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 4650 pixels on the width, subject distance 33.3 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 210 mm, efov 420 mm, f/8.1, 1/2000, ISO-2000, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 3909 pixels on the width, subject distance 18.8 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 381 mm, efov 762 mm, f/8.7, +0.7 EV, 1/1600, ISO-3200, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 4362 pixels on the width, subject distance 18.8 metres

One approaching female mallard in particular yielded a nice array of ‘flying during a snowfall’ photographs as we can see in the final eight photographs in this article. I really love how the snowfall in these images capture the environmental conditions that these ducks are exposed to during the winter months.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 261 mm, efov 522 mm, f/8.4, 1/2000, ISO-1000, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 4688 pixels on the width, subject distance 18.6 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 261 mm, efov 522 mm, f/8.4, 1/2000, ISO-1000, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 4592 pixels on the width, subject distance 17.8 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 261 mm, efov 522 mm, f/8.4, 1/2000, ISO-1000, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 3453 pixels on the width, subject distance 17.4 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 261 mm, efov 522 mm, f/8.4, 1/2000, ISO-1000, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 3273 pixels on the width, subject distance 16.9 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 261 mm, efov 522 mm, f/8.4, 1/2000, ISO-1600, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 4352 pixels on the width, subject distance 15.5 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 261 mm, efov 522 mm, f/8.4, 1/2000, ISO-1600, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 4076 pixels on the width, subject distance 15.2 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 261 mm, efov 522 mm, f/8.4, 1/2000, ISO-1600, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 3717 pixels on the width, subject distance 13.7 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 261 mm, efov 522 mm, f/8.4, 1/2000, ISO-2000, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 4340 pixels on the width, subject distance 14.8 metres

As anticipated all of the ducks very quickly hunkered down as the snowfall intensified. I was ready to head home and thaw out after a successful image test session.

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.  Crops are noted. This is the 1,124 article published on this website since its original inception in 2015.

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4 thoughts on “Flying During a Snowfall”

  1. Hi Thomas. Another great article. I have a couple of questions if you don’t mind. If they are answered elsewhere hopefully you can direct me.

    What sensitivity do you use? +2 to keep refreshing as the bird flies towards you?

    Do you use back button focus?

    I would assume manual exposure?

    What image stabilisation do you use. I have always used auto but I have seen 2 suggested as it better allows for panning.

    Thanks
    Carol

    1. Hi Carol,

      Thanks for your comment and questions.
      1. I use +2 sensitivity… although I think that when Bird AI is engaged that sensitivity defaults to 0 regardless of how the E-M1X is set.
      2. I have never used back button focus with any camera that I’ve owned.
      3. I always use Manual mode with my Olympus gear.
      4. I use S-IS AUTO

      Tom

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