Winged creatures in flight at the Orchard

It has been quite a while since I tried photographing winged creatures (birds and insects) in flight, so my panning reflexes are a bit rusty. To add to the challenge, I was using a point and shoot (Sony RX10 IV), rather than my tested DSLR gear (Canon 7D II + EF 400 DO II). 

The EVF and ergonomics of the RX10 IV is not the best for flying creatures, but we have to make do with any gear we have on hand. The 24 fps burst rate and the decent AF speed of this camera somewhat mitigate its shortcomings though.

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A few of these white birds are orchard regulars, and I caught this one while it was flying low in front of a stand of bangkok santol trees.

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis, resident/migrant)

Habitat: Pastures, ricefields and marshes.

Shooting info - Maambal Orchard, Pangasinan, Philippines, November 10, 2020, RX10 IV, 600 mm (equiv.), ISO 200, f/4, 1/3200 sec, manual exposure in available light, hand held, major crop resized to 800 x 533. 

 

Link to the larger 1500 x 1000 version

 

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Over the grassy areas of the orchard, numerous dragonflies flit and hover in the breeze. While waiting for birds in flight to appear, I practiced my panning skills at these critters. 

Shooting info - Maambal Orchard, Pangasinan, Philippines, November 10, 2020, RX10 IV, 600 mm (equiv.), ISO 200, f/4, 1/2000 sec, manual exposure in available light, hand held, major crop resized to 800 x 533. 

 

Link to the larger 1500 x 1000 version