I am incredibly honored to share that my photograph, “The morning dance,” has been shortlisted in the Bird Behaviour category of the 2023 BirdLife Australia Photography Awards. This competition is a significant event in the birding community, with the 2023 edition seeing over 6,000 entries from across Australia.
Capturing the In-Between Moments
The subject of this photo is the Grey Fantail, a species known for being incredibly restless and almost constantly in motion. For many years, I have visited our local park in Port Melbourne, Victoria, observing and admiring their remarkable aerial skills.
The specific behavior captured here—a mid-air acrobatic feat as the bird catches mosquitoes—is something I have attempted to photograph many times without success. After numerous failed attempts over the years, the elements finally aligned. The light caught the bird just right, creating a backlit effect against the dark background that truly highlights the delicate detail of its wings during the hunt.
Technical Insight
Freezing a bird as fast as a fantail requires precision and speed. Here is the setup I used for this shot:
- Camera: Sony Alpha 7R Mk 4
- Lens: Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS
- Settings: 333mm, 1/2000 sec, f/8, ISO 640
Being recognized alongside 68 other finalists from such a massive pool of entries is a wonderful milestone in my journey with contemplative and therapeutic photography. A huge thank you to BirdLife Australia and sponsor Nikon Australia for supporting this celebration of bird behavior and conservation.