So I sat on the shore of Swinsty, right where the Terns and Gulls always come in to bully and harass the local ducks.

I missed so many shots, birds not in focus, half out of the frame etc. It was one hell of a challenge to try to keep up with them dodging and diving.

I changed camera settings a few times until I found something that worked, but the challenge was a clear learn the habits of the birds, be aware of what its thinking about where its going.

I quickly began to understand their use of the wind, and where to expect them.

The trick was to prefocus, so that you’re not wasting any time focusing on a extremely fast-moving target, where you only have fractions of a second to start tracking, and to be aware of their glide path.

I started in aperture priority, and quickly realised that was just wrong. So over to Shutter Priority to try to freeze the action. Aiming for 1250th of a second, and with Auto-ISO helping keep the camera going I snapped away. Limited by how long I can hand hold the Sigma 150-500 which is a heavy lens.

Much happier with some of the results now, but this one of those projects, where you throw away a lot more than you keep.

Camera Settings:

• Continuous Focus (AF-C)
• Shutter priority (At least 1250th of a second)
• Auto ISO to suit
• High Frame Rate Enabled
• Evaluative metering
• 21 point Dynamic Area focus
• OS on the lens disabled.
• Some negitive exposure comp.>/li>

They are the camera settings that I found worked best. Practise will make perfect, but it will always be an exercise in knowing your target more than your camera.

Last year, the Police, Fire Brigade and Menwith Hill workers along with several other groups.

This year, the Police claimed that there where not enough Officers with Marching experience to take part. Which, to be honest is a rather unbelievable excuse. One lone police officer made up their contingent. (As reported by the Yorkshre Post here)

The only groups to show where:

1. Sea Cadets
2. Air force Cadets
3. Army Foundation College (Who have also cut back on the events they attend)

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.