Swallows

I find it very difficult to photograph barn swallows. Which is why I had to stole this image from the interwebz.

s

I've been accused of being a good photographer, but let me tell ya. I'm not. I'm kind of learning to compose nice images, but that's just a matter of finding a setup that my eye and experience tell me might make a good photograph. Then I put the camera on auto and push the button until it stops making images. I push the button a lot and make dozens-to-hundreds of images. Usually the camera will capture something that's marginally worth sharing. And that there is the sum total of my skills as a photog.

But I've been reading up and I'm thinking about trying a few photographeresque techniques. In part because I'd really like to take better pictures to share. The difference between what my eye sees and what my digital camera images is the difference between night and day.

Barn swallows are a good example. They are brilliant in the air, as are most flycatchers. But they don't hold still long enough for the camera's program to capture. I need to tinker with some exposure and film speeds and some aperture settings. I probably need a better camera, but I need to try some stuff to get a better idea of what to buy.

Anyway, here are a couple of swallow videos from this morning.





After I took the videos and got them downloaded, Mom and I went to Scottsbluff so she could have her one-week post-surgery eye appointment. She was pronounced a success and is very pleased with her vision. Then we had the Lincoln serviced in preparation for our pending trip out west. And that chewed up most of the day.

And finally, I've been getting a kick out of this. Great song. And the girl is kind of interesting. Who knew there were 14 year-old internet drummers?