The Speed of (F)light
Another Purple Martin (male) caught in flight ~ It is difficult to get a precise synthesis of both focus and movement when photographing these birds – I think this is what interests me the most – but this particular image might be the closest I’ve come. I like the somewhat abstracted nature of the form and the simplicity of the monochromatic tones. They might be getting sick of me hanging around, though…
[Click on the image for a larger version]
© Karen McRae, 2014
draw and shoot 
Mucho like!
Gracias! : )
Fascinating study of flight. Trying to find a new way to see something isn’t always easy (or as successful as this shot).
I think that’s what intrigues me here; trying to find a new way of seeing. I’m glad you find it successful, thank you.
Your photos always birghten my day. You have your own style and your photos are recognizable which is an amazing quality to have for a photographer.
That’s such a nice thing to hear, Bob. Thank you so much for your encouraging words!
so beautiful!
Thank you. : )
Awesome! Wow!
Much thanks, Rajiv!
love it… amazing!
Yay! : )
I love this series, Karen – the sense of movement, the near-transparent wings… Wonderful.
Thanks very much, Kat. I like the transparency too, their wings are so beautiful!
beautiful! lyrical!
Beautiful shot
I so LOVE your Purple Martin shots! I would like one or two or three framed in a series on a wall in my home… I would never tire of looking at them! Awesome work Karen.
Jep Karen ein schönes Bild:-)
Super super, Karen! That’s the way to photograph such energetic birds! I loved it! Thanks much! 🙂
I love that one even more than I love all of your other work! Beautiful!
I think the positioning is perfect, Karen! Love it!
Out of this world. ❤ ❤ ❤
this is a beautiful series! I find the images mesmerizing, I can’t imagine getting tired of looking at them!
Very nice images!
Caught between planes of existence. Endlessly fascinating!
Karen your pictures are like the reflections and dreams we have after we’ve experienced the real world, they convey how we feel more than what we see, quite wonderful
Excellent !!
Just love your birds, Karen! You make the world beautiful with your pictures! ❤️
Love those wings. Very good work, Karen.
Beautiful.
Very beautiful. I love the wings. You can almost see how the bird flies. Thanks for the good post!
An absolute beauty! A flying symphony!
Beautiful composition, so much beauty in so little gesture.
The power of imagination!
I doubt it … more likely they adore you and are showing off! 🙂
As you wrote before, these photos are so strangely like paintings, and stunning. (May I add that your photos are stunning? Because they are.)
Beautiful, do you mind Karen if I add one of your birds to a blog post? They remind me of delicate drawings. Lovely, Kx
I’d be honoured, Kirsty, thank you. x
Movement and lightness captured. Beautiful.
Simply beautiful! Just as you say maybe focus and movement results in this wonderful capture!
So beautiful.
The motion is captured so nicely in this! Great piece.
Yow. This. Love.
wow great picture!!!
Just perfect …..!
David.
Yes…so very nice.
It’s an amazing image. Enlarged the bird looks as if it’s made of a collision of silk.
I could never get sick of these, however; they are just breathtaking and this one is pretty near perfect.
Reblogged this on Jennifer Robson – Artist and commented:
Some beautiful work on this blog, landscapes and birds. X
Love the movement in this. Very beautiful and well done 🙂
tremendous capture Karen. Tremendous. It is so good to seep into your images again.
Beautiful. You’ve struck the perfect balance, Karen!
Your bird imagery is outstanding. I love the way you capture the flash of wings and the photons that reveal them.
Your ability with capturing motion and really the essence of nature is astounding…surreal. There is something so pleasing to the eye that makes me sit, stare and wonder. Such a good feeling.
That’s an excellent synthesis of static and dynamic.
Beauty of the moment lurking in everyday…I love this clear wings. Amazing, Karen.
That is absolutely beautiful! I love it!
Just breathtaking.
I think this is one of my favourites of yours, Karen, I can’t explain why exactly except that I want to keep looking at it.
Beautiful as it appears to still be moving as I view it.