Take off

Taking off (Streptopelia  decaocto, Family: Columbidae; common name: collared  dove)

This dove comes to eat food left overs and is relatively unafraid of humans. I chose to sit at a distance with an 180mm macro lens which ensures maximum detail. The sunlight was filtered by the tent resulting in a completely even yet somehow dull illumination of the bird so I decided to use fill in flash which would also allow for a higher f/stop to be used. The slow shutter speed (1/60 sec) didn't stop the movement of the wings which is visible in the photo (the feathers of the wing at its lowest position are clearly seen). However, the use of the flash captured all the detail in the body of the bird which was still not moving. The position of the legs is definitely a matter of luck. One is already retracted while the other one still touches the iron bar helping the bird to take a slight slope before taking off. It is one of those moments which you can only enjoy in a picture since everything happens so quickly that makes it impossible for the human eye to record.

Photo by George J. Reclos

Shooting Data:

Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/60sec - f/8, AP mode
Flash: SB800, auto/return light detected
Image: JPEG processed in Photoshop CS, unsharp mask filter, curves to reduce the highlights and resized.  

Take off gallery
 
Wild pigeons are welcome subjects to practice sports action photography. Especially their take off is what I like the most as this usually shows their wings in full spread.
 
Photos by Frank Panis

Shooting Data:
 
Photo I

Camera: Nikon D70
Lens:  Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Shutter speed - aperture: 180mm, f/3.5 and 1/4000s

Photo II

Camera: Nikon D70
Lens:  Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Shutter speed - aperture: 180mm, f/3.5 and 1/4000s

Photo III

Camera: Nikon D2X
Lens: AF VR Zoom-Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Shutter speed - aperture: 400mm, f/8 and 1/1000s
Flash: none
Image: NEF edited in Nikon Capture 4.3.1

Streptopelia decaocto

l liked the movement and position of the wings in this photo. As they're everywhere its a great subject for practicing action photography and trying different AF settings..
 
Photos by Frank Panis

Shooting Data:
 
Camera: Nikon D300
Lens: Nikkor AF-S VR 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED + TC-14EII
Sensitivity: 1LW under ISO 200 (aka ISO 100)
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/1000 - f4
Flash:none
Support: handheld
Image: RAW, converted in Nikon CNX 2.1.0