BIRD IN FLIGHT ONLY -- share your BIF photos here

[ISv]

It is a shadow. Camera white balance pulls brightest details to be white. Those are in direct sun so contain red part of sun spectrum. White feathers in shade receive only diffuse light from sky that is predominantly blue.

Any shade on white or gray is of opposite colour balance to the light source. Just look at old school watercolour masters, J.W.M. Turner conveyed the warmth of the scene by fooling our eyes by cool blue tones in shades.

As I did say "...especially at the edge of the wing!" - and read the Alan's last post. And what part of the bird will make that "shade" (especially making that triangle white spot where the normal shade should continue)?! Blue, partially transparent ribbon (if the darker spots, also at the edge of the wing, are not wrinkles!!).

 

[ISO64]

Are you sure it is a shadow? The edges are very well-defined and you can see a triangular region of white at the bottom left of the blue band which you would think would also be in shadow. We have yet to hear from the poster.

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The closer shadow is to the object making it, the sharper its edges are. Leading edges of any bird wings are not that different from airplane wings: straight (locally). Triangular area is more "white" as it lacks brown feathers of scapular and upperparts. It is hard to believe what our visual system can pull out when dealing with white balance.

 

[becceric]

I am thinking of the Blue Riband of the Atlantic for the fastes gull.

It's a shame that I had to look up the term "Blue Riband of the Atlantic" in order to appreciate your response.
It's always nice to learn and enjoy something while reading these posts.

 

[HenryL]

Are you sure it is a shadow? The edges are very well-defined and you can see a triangular region of white at the bottom left of the blue band which you would think would also be in shadow. We have yet to hear from the poster.

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It seems like a shadow to me as well, the feather pattern is visible even in the darker area.

 

[Rule556]

Here are just a few from our recent trip to the Galapagos:

 

[Click]

Very nice shots, Rule556.

 

[Rule556]

Very nice shots, Rule556.

Thank you. The Galapagos are a life changing place. My head (and lens) were constantly on a swivel. Constantly changing conditions and light, every angle a different species to shoot, just incredible.

I'd post my favorite here, but as it's a penguin it's a decidedly non BIF photo. LOL

 

[foda]

Little Bee-eater seen on a recent trip to Tanzania.

R5MkII, RF100-500mm

 

[Click]

WOW! Great shot, Norman.

 

[AlanF]

Spotted Flycatcher flying around (RF 200-800mm @ 800mm on R5ii).

 

[Click]

Nicely done, Alan. I especially like the first one.

 

[jprusa]

What is the blue band on its right wing?

A Herring Gull with a blue wing band is a research-tagged bird. These colored bands, often with a unique code like a 3-letter combination, are used by ornithologists in research projects to study the movement, survival, and populations of gulls. Seeing such a bird provides valuable data for these studies, so reporting the sighting and any visible codes can be very helpful to the researchers.

 

[AlanF]

A Herring Gull with a blue wing band is a research-tagged bird. These colored bands, often with a unique code like a 3-letter combination, are used by ornithologists in research projects to study the movement, survival, and populations of gulls. Seeing such a bird provides valuable data for these studies, so reporting the sighting and any visible codes can be very helpful to the researchers.

Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[Noreaster]

 

[Click]

Very nice shots, Noreaster.

 

[becceric]

A Great Blue Heron yesterday.










These were rather deep crops even with using a 600mm+ 1.4x TC. I wolud like to have gotten closer, but I couldn't fit a kayak in my backpack.

 

[foda]

A Great Blue Heron yesterday.
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These were rather deep crops even with using a 600mm+ 1.4x TC. I wolud like to have gotten closer, but I couldn't fit a kayak in my backpack.

Nice dramatic lighting.

 

[Click]

Very nice sequence shots. I love the interplay of light and shadow.

 

[becceric]

Very nice sequence shots. I love the interplay of light and shadow.

Thanks, Click!
I wish I had your magic kayaking abilities to improve my location.

 

[foda]

Lilac-breasted Roller seen while birding in Tanzania, August, 2025.

R5MkII, RF100-500mm