This short article features a selection of six consecutive images of a kingbird harassing a raptor in mid-air. An experienced associate has advised that the raptor is an immature Cooper’s Hawk and the aggressor is an Eastern Kingbird (thanks Glen). All photographs were captured handheld with an E-M1X using Pro Capture L in combination with Bird Recognition AI Subject Tracking.

Often these types of mid-air altercations are viewed from significant distances and happen so quickly that it can be very challenging to photograph the action.

The raptor illustrated above appeared over the ponds at Hendrie Valley. I was in the process of capturing a few photographs of it when a group of small birds, including an Eastern Kingbird with some Barn Swallows, decided that it needed some encouragement to move out of the area.

A series of aggressive movements played out overhead. I kept panning with the raptor using Pro Capture L in combination with Bird Recognition AI Subject Tracking… and waited for the right moment to fully depress my shutter release.

My goal was to get the small birds in close to the raptor. My attention was focused on keeping the raptor properly framed in my composition. I knew that with Pro Capture L if my shutter release timing was appropriate I’d get my images… so I didn’t have to worry about the positions of the aggressor birds. Then, when a couple of small birds momentarily flitted into my composition I hit my shutter release.

I was using a continuous auto-focus frame rate of 18 frames-per-second. This mid-air altercation was over in a split second. The following six consecutive images were captured in a total of 1/3 of a second.

Unfortunately the Eastern Kingbird is not in sharp focus due to the distances between the birds and the available depth-of-field… as my E-M1X was focused on the raptor. Nevertheless I really like the drama in these images. and the documented action.

Note; Click on images to enlarge.

I’ve witnessed Red Winged Blackbirds mobbing hawks and eagles in the past. This is the first time that I’ve seen an Eastern Kingbird cooperating with some Barn Swallows harassing a raptor in mid-air.

This short image run is another practical illustration that helps explain why I prefer using Pro Capture L in combination with Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking  when photographing birds in free flight. This combination of computation photography technologies makes capturing this type of action sequence a practical reality.

 Technical Note

Photographs were captured handheld using camera gear as noted in the EXIF data.  I shot at 18 frames per second using continuous auto focus, with a single, small auto-focus point engaged with Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking. Images were produced from RAW files using my standard process. This is the 1,301 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!