Photographing birds in flight is a discipline that tests timing, technique, and a deep appreciation for the unpredictable. Unlike posed portraits or landscapes, birds offer no do-overs. Their movements are quick, often erratic, and frequently fleeting. Yet when the timing is just right, the results can be breathtaking—wings mid-arc, feathers backlit by sunlight, talons poised above water. It’s a challenge that rewards patience with beauty.
Jane Moorman’s books Birds of Africa: Kenya and Tanzania and Birds in Flight capture this fleeting magic in vibrant detail. The images reflect more than technical skill; they are visual evidence of stillness and attentiveness in the face of motion. Each bird frozen in flight is a moment borrowed from nature’s rhythm, telling its own story of survival, migration, or courtship.
One of the most impressive aspects of Moorman’s work is the spontaneity of her shots. Many of the images featured in her books were captured from moving vehicles, while traveling across the rugged terrain of Kenya and Tanzania. Others were taken from unplanned moments, like spotting a Northern Harrier soaring over a car in New Mexico or witnessing a kingfisher dive unexpectedly.
These moments reflect a core truth about bird photography: the best opportunities are often unplanned. While equipment matters—Moorman used a Sony RX10iv with a powerful 24-600mm zoom—what matters just as much is awareness. The photographer must be ready to react in a split second, tracking movement, adjusting settings, and composing the frame all at once.
Lighting plays a critical role. Early mornings and late afternoons tend to offer the best conditions, with soft, directional light that enhances feather detail and reduces harsh shadows. But light must also be balanced with speed. Fast shutter speeds are essential to freeze wings in motion, especially for quick flyers like the Pied Kingfisher or the Lilac-breasted Roller.
Bird photography in flight also requires an understanding of behavior. Certain species, such as the African Fish Eagle, are predictable in their hunting patterns, often circling above water before diving. Others, like flamingos or pelicans, move in groups and provide opportunities to frame multiple birds in synchronized flight. Anticipating these behaviors increases the chance of getting a clean, focused shot.
Moorman’s images are not taken from fixed blinds or controlled environments. Instead, they reflect the raw unpredictability of travel, where the next turn on a dirt road could lead to a spectacular avian display. Her work encourages readers to look up, slow down, and become observers of flight—not just for the purpose of capturing an image, but to appreciate the poetry of movement in the natural world.