Bats in Flight

Herc

I was not even aware these were bats until later when I was downloading them. I was shooting some insects along the shoreline of a small mountain lake when I looked out to see two flying creatures I thought were birds swooping and taking insects. They were flying very fast and making amazing turns. I thought maybe they were swallows or something similar.

I grabbed my other camera with a 70-200 with a 2X TC. These were about 125' off shore and I thought it would be good panning practice. I took about 18 shots and managed to get a few. The three are heavily cropped and the one with the bat coming head-on is original size.

I feel very lucky to have gotten these. The next day I went back to the same place and managed to see two leave the water and head up to a big dead tree with woodpecker holes throughout. I imagine that's where they roost.

It was good practice but I can see I need to attempt more in-flight photos.

Cheers, Shayne

kgarrett11

#3 is the best of them.

Herc

kgarrett11 wrote:

#3 is the best of them.

Thanks.

I liked the second shot the best personally. Edit: I'm on glue. I meant the third shot too. For some reason I thought there were only 3 photos posted and the shot with the bat looking almost directly at the camera was the second. My apologies.

Cheers, Shayne

dlplumer

Cool capture

Maestro

Congrats on trying. Trying to get a bat in flight is probably something I will never try. I'm just too slow. Number 3 is definitely the best.

Herc

Thanks for the comments everyone. Also see my edit. I thought the third was best too.

I'm back out at the same lake in two weeks and will definitely try for more. Any tips appreciated. These things dart around like crazy!

Shayne