Picture Of The Week 06-25-07

Cliff Swallow
(Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)

Where: Spotsylvania County, VA • Lake Anna Notes: Between the low light and the fact that I was standing in a boat, bouncing on the small waves, I consider this a truly fortunate shot. Having attempted to photograph this species previously, I had not seen an adult cling to the outside of the nest like this before. They usually either flew up and disappeared inside the hole or hovered while they quickly passed off food to whatever chick was poking its head out of the entrance hole. This perching behavior provided a still enough pose that I was able to capture a focused shot even in the shady conditions under the bridge where they commonly nest in colonies. Perhaps the ever growing chicks wree making inside visits too cumbersome? I have always found the Cliff Swallow's ability to build its gourd shaped, clay pot nest on vertical and often inverted surfaces amazing.

Equipment: Canon EOS D20 • Canon 100-400mm Zoom L Series Lens • Hand Held
Thanks to my friend and award winning photographer Rick Cox for the opportunity to go "Boat Birding".

Exposure: Shutter Speed = 1/800 second • Aperture = f 6.3 • Exposure Mode = Aperture Priority • Lens (Focal) Length = 370 mm • ISO = 1600 • Aprox. Camera Distance = ~30 Feet • Date Shot: 05-08-07

©2007 Robert W. Schamerhorn. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.

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Larger sizes can be custom ordered and printed using a high resolution seven color ink process on matte finished photo stock: 12" x 18", 16" x 20", 18" x 24" and 20" x 24' See ADDITIONAL PRINT SIZES for more information.

Cliff Swallow (No. 8507) - Size: 8" x 10" • Signed Print with 11" x 14" White Matte • S&H Included
Item: CLSW(_MG_8507)8X10 . . . $39.95

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