Sychnant Swallows

Today there’s a drive up to Sychnant in the hope of decent photo opportunities! There’s the chance some of the Carneddau ponies will have cone down fromthe hills to drink at the pool, and hopefully some dragonflies will be about. Then there’s the outside chance of catching swallows feeding over the water ….. 

In reality, there are no ponies - maybe they’re waiting for the cool of the evening, and though I shot some chasers they’re too far away to snap. But……there are swallows and possibly swifts too. The problem is - as always - capturing them! There’s no pattern to their flights, and I miss far more than I actually capture.  A few come in to feed at lightning speed, then the skies are empty for what seems like ages. Just as it seems they’ve left the area, a few more come in.  Each time this happens I tell myself I’ll wait for just one more sortie - next time I’ll manage to get the shot I want…… 

G, who has been on a walk around the area, arrives and sits with me. He’s most amused by my inability to time my shots with the actual dives of swallows, saying I’m always pressing the shutter too late and fully expecting all my photos to be of empty air or water. And of course, the majority of shots are either frustratingly free of birds or occupied by blurry shapes! Still, a few achieve my goal of capturing these airborne acrobats even though they’re far from perfect! 

There’s always next time …..