Earlier in the season I had known about a location where barn swallows tend to nest. I snapped a few photos, but with travelling at the time I never was able to get down and properly photograph the nest. Now after checking in July of all time I found in the same location  a late nesting group. A wonderful surprise. They appear to have four chicks which is normal and are getting to the point of leaving. I am hoping there are a few days left as I haven’t mastered photographing the parents feeding the chicks. In order to photograph these I am using the phottix plato N8 remote blindly from 45ft or so away. Plus their parents fly in for literally two seconds and leave. So you have to figure out where in those two seconds to push the trigger. They have decided to nest on a steel beam overhang that is up and in. I am just happy I can trigger my camera through all the concrete.

I used the Sigma 50-500mm as my lens of choice with a 10ft minimal focus distance. Provided I put my tripod up against the wall and smush my face behind the camera amongst spiders. All worth it however as you will soon see. I paired the lens using the better beamer as well to get as much depth of field as possible. It was such a dark place so triggering auto-focus from a distance wasn’t going to happen. I had to use single servo to set up my focus point that I wanted and then put the focus switch into manual mode. It’s a risk of course as the birds will move around, but I found it works quite well as they usually hover around the edge. Leaving at least one of the chicks in focus to hold the image together.

Sometimes the chicks would appear to rotate aggressiveness in asking for food from momma.

Nothing like sibling rivalry. These chicks are always competing for food amongst their parents.Both are trying to prove who’s boss.

When the parents approach (as both feed their young) activity soars. You can hear them from far away calling their parents begging for their attention.

Trying to get the parents into focus with such a fine depth of field is a real task. I have some ideas on improving it if I get the chance. Another issue is the way the parents come in to feed their young. I thought they might perch and reach over to them or even land in the nest; however it appears they feed in flight.

This was the only frame I was able to get one of the parents into the frame. I really like it even though he/she is out of focus. It’s the dynamic of out of focus and in focus elements I think that make it work. Pulling the depth of field with a 500mm lens isn’t much of an option beyond and inch or so. Ideas are a brewin’.

If your curious as to what this nest is made of I can tell you it is not of concrete . It’s actually mud pellets and plant fibers mostly with occasional feathers here or there. Their nest stands mostly on its own, but it does use vertical support in design to hold it from below. They are often found in barns (hence the name), human structures and under bridges. It’s believed that their more natural nesting place was on the top areas of caves. With the nest being of a late time of year we sure hope they make it to full maturity and are able to visit us next year.