This week features a few more photos than usual because I just received a new Nikon 70-200mm f/4 lens. I got this lens for walking around when birding isn't the only thing I'm doing and for travel to lighten by load.
We were heading home from Monterey, CA looking for a Black Skimmer reported in the area around Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz County, CA. We didn't see the Skimmer but there were 2000+ Elegant Terns on the beach in 2 flocks.
Capturing birds in flight is arguably one of the hardest photographic endeavors you could pursue. The short is to take a lot of images and do it in bursts.
If you could ask 100 photographers about cropping, you will probably get 20 answers. Some say get it right in the camera. I agree with that but in nature, especially birds, you are lucky if they stay still along enough to get a sharp image let alone an interesting pose.
There was an MBB posting of a White-breasted Nuthatch at Arana Gulch by a Santa Cruz Bird Club member. You may be saying that I see them all the time but in Santa Cruz County, CA they are a rare visitor.