Barn Swallow Banking in Flight

Point Pelee National Park in Canada needs no introduction to bird photographers. Its unique location, jutting into Lake Erie, makes it a magnet for migrating birds, especially during spring and fall. While the spring migration brings a kaleidoscope of warblers and other songbirds, a resident avian acrobat provides a unique and thrilling photographic challenge throughout the breeding season: the Barn Swallow.

Recently, on the last afternoon of my Songbirds of Pelee Workshop, we spent some exhilarating hours at the Marsh Boardwalk Tower with my group practicing birds-in-flight photography. It is a fantastic vantage point overlooking the marsh, where dozens of Barn Swallows return to their nests tucked under the boardwalk tower deck. The conditions were demanding: harsh midday light and gusty winds that turned the swallows' flight paths into unpredictable ballets. It was a perfect opportunity to hone our birds-in-flight photography skills.

Success in wildlife photography, especially with challenging subjects, often involves patience and keen observation. We spent a significant amount of time simply watching the Barn Swallows. We observed their typical flight patterns as they approached their nests, how they reacted to gusts of wind, and the moments when they might briefly fly more predictably.

Barn Swallow Banking in FLight with Tail Flaired (Hirundo rustica, Hirondelle rustique, Golondrina común BARS). From my Songbirds of Pelee Workshop on May 11, 2025, at Point Pelee National Park of Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha a1 Mark II Mirrorless camera, Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS Lens, Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @ 1,200mm. f/8 ISO 3,200 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure.

Short-eared Owl banking in flight

A Short-eared Owl banking in flight from last winter’s Owl Workshops. While I love cloudy, bright conditions for bird photography, there was no shortage of white sky days last winter. Lake Ontario never froze, which meant a lot of lake effect clouds and light snow.

Lake Effect clouds and snow occur when cold air moves across the open waters of the Great Lakes. As the cold air passes over the unfrozen and relatively warm waters of the Great Lakes, warmth and moisture are transferred into the lowest portion of the atmosphere. As the air rises, clouds form and grow into a narrow band that can produce snow, which can be heavy at times.

Short-eared Owl Banking in Flight (Asio flammeus, Hibou des marais, SEOW). From my first Winter Owls Galore workshop that concluded on Friday. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 10,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure.

Atlantic Puffin banking in golden light with fish

This is, by far, my favourite from last summer’s Deluxe Puffins Galore Lighthouse Adventure Workshops. The sun came up quickly as the Puffins were swirling around trying to align their trajectory, the wind with the entry to their burrows; I have watched them circle as many as 23 times while trying to get everything right before landing. Sunrise was 04:59 on August 11, 2023, and this image was made just a few moments later, against the glowing out-of-focus cliffs.

Join me in Quebec for my Deluxe Atlantic Puffins (and so much more) Lighthouse Island Workshop. I just added another date to accommodate the high demand at the best time to be there to ensure there are Puffins bringing fish home for their babies.

Atlantic Puffin banking with fish at first light (Fratercula arctica, Macareux moine, ATPU) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Lighthouse Island Workshop Adventure. Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm. ISO 6,400, f/8 @ 1/3,200s Manual exposure. Full frame image (shot an ounce too tight, so I added a sliver of canvas to the left and bottom).