From last weekend

I’ve been a bit busy this week and haven’t had time to post my favorite photo from last weekend—sorry about that! So here it is.

I like this one because of the hummingbird’s pose; it looks as if it was observing me.

Laughing Gull in flight

 

Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla), likely a juvenile or non-breeding adult based on the plumage.

Key identifying features:

• Dark-tipped bill (blackish).

• Dark wings with lighter underparts.

• Grayish back and wing coverts with brownish tones—common in immature gulls.

• White head with some smudging, not the full black hood of breeding adults.

Seasonal variation:

• In breeding season, adults have a full black hood.

• In non-breeding season, the hood fades to a smudgy gray or partial cap.

• Juveniles often show more brown in the wings and mottled markings on the head.

Another favorite from last weekend

I knew this would happen—after a long weekend and 300 photos later, picking a favorite feels impossible!
But hey, here’s another one I really like. Who says you can’t have more than one favorite, right?

Birds in flight, how do I do it?

Birds in flight photography is one of the most challenging aspects of bird photography. It’s not just about having a camera with great autofocus and a fast lens to track the bird; a lot relies on having the right camera settings. In this situation, shooting in Auto Mode simply won’t cut it.

So, how do I approach it? I’ve configured my Canon R6 with custom settings specifically for Birds in Flight, saved to the C3 memory slot. This allows me to quickly access my optimized settings with a simple switch to C3. I prefer shooting in Shutter Priority mode, setting the shutter speed at around 1/3000 to freeze the motion, while letting the camera automatically handle the aperture and ISO. This approach simplifies the process and keeps me focused on the action.

The results speak for themselves, as seen in this stunning capture of a red-shouldered hawk in flight.

 

Or this other picture of a juvenile Mississippi Kite.