joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

I like this one.

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Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Joe, that's super.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Thanks Mac.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Excellent, sharp capture Joe!

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Pretty, really nice shot...

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Thanks Carol.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Thank you very much.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

So do I!

I may be trying something similar soon, so I have some questions
(1) How fast was the bird going {relative to how a robin flies or perhaps to how an insect flies}?
(2) Can we assume that you caught it somewhere in your image and then cropped to get what you wanted?
(3) How did you manage to get such sharp focus on "nothing much"?

Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia

Great shot, Joe! They are to fast for me.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Thanks for asking Looking and asking.

1. He wasn't going all that fast (wings excepted). They feed, back up a little bit and then feed again. If you are lucky they may go through this cycle 3-4 times or even more. Catch them when they are changing direction (hovering).
2. Yes. Almost all my images are cropped. The action is too fast to frame in the camera and I need to be far enough away not to spook them. I usually shoot a 500mm or at 400mm depending on which lens is being use. My cameras are D500 and D810.
3. I use auto focus single point continuous or group continuous. Their movement is too erratic to pre-focus manual.

Also, I mostly use a SB800 with a Better Beamer attached. I think a flash makes a big difference in many lighting situations. Its set at TTL high speed sync -1 to-2 depending on the light. I can usually get off two frames without loosing the exposure very much.

Its a challenge and requires a combination of technique and luck. Do it often enough and you get a few good one.

Mostly likely some have different methods that work for them but this is the one that currently works for me.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

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GOR

Great shot!

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Thanks GOR.

Bushymonster Loc: Oklahoma City. OK.

Very nice shooting...
-Bushy

sailorsmom Loc: Souderton, PA

I like it too, Joe! Well done!