20160310 - birds

Photographing birds in flight: 

how to set up and mistakes to avoid

A sharp photo of a swooping bird of prey is a real feather in the cap for any aspiring wildlife photographer. But birds in flight are among the most challenging animals to capture with your camera, and such is the reverence for the subject that the term even has its own acronym in wildlife circles – BIF.
As well as a stiff test of your camera gear and technique, the perfect shot relies on a fair degree of luck. But this is all part of the allure of bird photography, and there are a few ways in which you can stack the odds in your favour.
The easiest way to get up close to birds of prey is at a sanctuary or zoo. We went to the wonderful Hawk Conservancy Trust in Hampshire for our avian shoot.
Places like this not only put on aerial displays to which photographers are more than welcome (there were lots of long, grey lenses on show during our visit) but many host specialist photography days and private sessions where you can work with the falconers to get top shots of our feathered friends in flight.
When it comes to setting up your camera and choosing the right gear, there are plenty of techniques you can use, which we’ll look at here. But success doesn’t just rely on the best kit or a prime location; a knowledge of the subject is equally important.
If you know where and when they are likely to appear, you can get into position for the perfect shot. We’ll show you how to anticipate the action and capture bird behaviour at its best.

 http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2015/10/17/photographing-birds-in-flight-how-to-set-up-and-mistakes-to-avoid/#null