Tree Swallows at Miner’s Cove gave me an unexpected photo opportunity. I had stopped there to watch and photograph Pied-billed Grebes.
Tree Swallows Approach Miner’s Cove
I was parked at Miner’s Cove inside Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. While watching the grebes, I noticed a small flock of Tree Swallows moving toward me.
The birds swooped and circled as they came closer. Their blue-green feathers caught my attention as they moved through the air. I could also see the forked tails that help identify this species.
The swallows seemed interested in a dead tree near my location. Several birds tried to land on its bare branches. Their quick movements made it difficult to predict where one might pause.
One Tree Swallow flew above my position and gave me the chance I needed. I tracked it through the air and made this photograph from inside my pickup.
Photographing the Swallows From My Truck
I stayed inside my pickup while photographing the bird. The truck gave me a steady position and allowed me to remain where I was already parked.
Tree Swallows move quickly, which makes photographing them in flight challenging. I followed one through the viewfinder as it passed above me. That approach gave me a clear photograph without leaving my pickup.
The encounter reminded me of A Funny Moment With A Tree Swallow, another memorable experience I had with this species.
I did not have much time to work with the flock. The birds remained near the dead tree briefly before continuing on their way.
A Brief Encounter at the Refuge
Wildlife photography often brings surprises while I wait for something else. I had focused on Pied-billed Grebes, but the Tree Swallows quickly became the highlight of that stop.
Their visit lasted only a short time. Still, one bird flew into the right position and gave me a photograph I might otherwise have missed. Encounters like this are one reason I keep watching everything around me at the refuge.