Capturing Motion: Roseate Spoonbill in Flight at Lake Martin
Photographing birds in motion is one of the most rewarding yet challenging aspects of bird photography. Years ago, when the Roseate Spoonbill rookery at Lake Martin was still accessible for photography, I had the opportunity to capture a unique image of one in flight—using a slow shutter speed to create a dynamic motion blur while keeping the bird's face relatively sharp.
The Challenge: Capturing Motion and Clarity
One of my goals for this shot was to emphasize the graceful movement of the bird while maintaining enough detail in the face to create a compelling focal point. The challenge was finding the right balance between blur and sharpness. Since the spoonbill was repeatedly flying in the same direction to gather sticks for its nest, I had the chance to fine-tune my settings and approach.
The Technique: Slow Shutter Speed & Panning Precision
To achieve the desired effect, I set my shutter speed to 1/8 second, allowing for significant motion blur in the wings and background while striving to keep the head sharp. This technique required precise panning—matching my camera movement with the bird's speed and trajectory to maintain clarity in key areas while letting the rest of the scene blur naturally.
This wasn’t a shot I could get in a single attempt. It took persistence, patience, and repetition. Over the course of the session, I shot more than 200 frames before finally capturing the perfect image—one where the spoonbill’s face remained crisp against the soft blur of its wings in motion.
Key Takeaways for Bird Motion Photography
If you’re looking to experiment with slow shutter speeds to capture birds in flight, consider these tips:
Use a slow shutter speed (around 1/8 to 1/30 second) to introduce motion blur while maintaining some sharpness.
Practice panning smoothly with your subject to keep critical details in focus.
Anticipate movement—if a bird is making repeated flights, take advantage of the pattern to refine your shots.
Shoot in bursts to increase your chances of getting the perfect combination of motion and clarity.
Be patient—great shots often come after many attempts, so persistence is key.
Reflecting on the Shot
This photograph remains one of my favorites from Lake Martin, not just for its visual impact but for the lessons it reinforced about the importance of technique, patience, and persistence in bird photography. With Lake Martin’s rookery no longer as accessible as it once was, I feel fortunate to have captured this moment when I did.
Have you experimented with slow shutter speeds for bird photography? Let me know your experiences in the comments!