First down-stroke after launch from its perch. Wing flapping is used for forward thrust. They are also great gliders riding on the thermals to attain high altitudes.
Great Shot Sundar. I was trying to take a bird shot other day, something like this: Main Challenge I faced was to focus on whole bird when its a big bird. Do you have any tip for that?
Thanks Arnab I don't have lot of experience shooting birds moving or in flight. If you are shooting still bird, you should focus on its eye. Birds in flight is a different beast. Best approach is to use an array of focus points. Shoot at the highest possible shutter speed, given the available light. Push the ISO if you need to. Use of continuous focus mode and keeping the AF engaged the entire time is also recommended. The one I shot was sitting still before it took off. I therefore focussed on the eye when it was still. When the bird launched itself, it was still in the focal plane at the instant when I pressed the trigger and hence got a fairly decent shot. Not many opportunities have come my way for experimentation.
