I ducked! (or should I say, swanned?) -- Mute Swan close up

[ssheipel]

I was walking across a small floating bridge looking left over the water when I heard the familiar clamour of a swan moving to get airborne and I turned to my right to see this Mute Swan slapping and flapping right toward me. My first thought was, he's never going to clear the bridge railing (he did easily, of course). I swung the camera up at about the same time he realized he wanted to go around me; this shot as he was still climbing but veering right to avoid the photographer. Felt much closer than he was through the lens, of course, but a couple of cyclists walking their bikes across the bridge commented on the "near miss" LOL No crop. Auto AF, animal detect. found the eye I think

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[Butlerkid]

INCOMING! Quick reactions, Steve!

 

[ssheipel]

INCOMING! Quick reactions, Steve!

Thanks, Karen (I don't move so fast as I used to!)

 

[NorthernFocus]

Now that's a closeup! One of the things I enjoy most about wildlife photography is simply that the amount of time required in the field inevitably leads to the occasional interesting chance encounter like this.

 

[Patrick M]

That’s what I call a snap! Great

 

[Ralph]

I was walking across a small floating bridge looking left over the water when I heard the familiar clamour of a swan moving to get airborne and I turned to my right to see this Mute Swan slapping and flapping right toward me. My first thought was, he's never going to clear the bridge railing (he did easily, of course). I swung the camera up at about the same time he realized he wanted to go around me; this shot as he was still climbing but veering right to avoid the photographer. Felt much closer than he was through the lens, of course, but a couple of cyclists walking their bikes across the bridge commented on the "near miss" LOL No crop. Auto AF, animal detect. found the eye I think
View attachment 62398

Spectacular shot Steven! razor sharp

 

[K9Kirk]

Nice capture, Steve, and it appears to be watching you as well. It was probably thinking to itself, "Ha! I buzzed that one real good!

 

[ssheipel]

Now that's a closeup! One of the things I enjoy most about wildlife photography is simply that the amount of time required in the field inevitably leads to the occasional interesting chance encounter like this.

So very true. Very much bonus icing on the cake!

 

[ssheipel]

That’s what I call a snap! Great

Thanks Patrick!

 

[JAS]

Amazing capture. Well done! I wold likely have missed it as I just cannot move fast enough anymore (if I ever could).

 

[Irap]

Looks like you can feel his wake.

 

[ssheipel]

Spectacular shot Steven! razor sharp

Thanks Ralph. A very bright morning so fortunately the shutter speed was high which helped with that sharpness 'cause this was effectively a panned shot

 

[Ralph]

Thanks Ralph. A very bright morning so fortunately the shutter speed was high which helped with that sharpness 'cause this was effectively a panned shot

You nailed it.

 

[ssheipel]

Nice capture, Steve, and it appears to be watching you as well. It was probably thinking to itself, "Ha! I buzzed that one real good!

Thanks. And he was definitely watching me; was specifically going around me LOL

 

[ElenaH]

it is almost a close-up! Or you just flying with ;-)

 

[ssheipel]

Amazing capture. Well done! I wold likely have missed it as I just cannot move fast enough anymore (if I ever could).

Thanks. I would never have gotten my heavy lens up and moving in time LOL

 

[ssheipel]

Looks like you can feel his wake.

No wind wake but the Mute's very distinct wing hum was in surround sound!

 

[ssheipel]

it is almost a close-up! Or you just flying with ;-)

Yup, just flying by the seat of my pants to get this shot

 

[Louis champan]

Well done on that face to face encounter Steven.

 

[ssheipel]

Well done on that face to face encounter Steven.

Thanks, Louis.