Watch the Masterful Flight of Tree Swallows: Wild Birds Revealed
Beautiful blue-and-white Tree Swallows flit over summer fields across North America. They can be hard to follow as they speed, swoop, and turn through the air, expertly gathering insects to bring back to their growing young.
In this episode of Wild Birds Revealed, nature photographers Tim and Russell Laman aim to slow down the swallows' frenetic flight to understand how their wings give them such mastery over the air.
Using super slow motion, still photos, and an innovative nest camera, they capture detailed views of the sleek adults and growing nestlings—including breathtaking flight footage that shows off these birds' seemingly effortless flight skills.
About the Series
Wild Birds Revealed is a three-part video series that uncovers hidden details of Osprey, Tree Swallows, and Atlantic Puffins. It features Tim and Russell Laman, award-winning wildlife filmmakers who challenge themselves to get difficult slow-motion and still shots, then delight in the detail and discovery that these incredible images allow. Through their striking imagery and friendly in-the-field narration, this project is both a visual adventure and a celebration of avian life.
Wild Birds Revealed is made possible by OM SYSTEM: lightweight, weather-sealed gear that combines industry-leading image stabilization with powerful super-telephoto lenses—all designed for handheld freedom. The still images that Tim and Russell captured for this episode were created with the flagship model, the OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II. OM SYSTEM supports the growth of the birdwatching and photography community through highly mobile, reliable camera systems that deliver exceptional expressive power to enhance every outdoor journey.
Equipment Used:
OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II
M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm F4.5 TC1.25X IS PRO
About the Filmmakers
Tim and Russell Laman are wildlife filmmakers whose work includes documentaries for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, National Geographic, BBC, Netflix, and more. Their work is inspired by the powerful role imagery plays in shaping how people see and value the planet. In their film and still photography, their aim is to spark curiosity, awareness, and action.
【 About the Cornell Lab of Ornithology 】
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a nonprofit, member-supported organization headquartered in Ithaca, New York, USA. Its mission is to interpret and conserve the Earth’s biological diversity through research, education, and participatory science focused on birds and nature. In pursuit of this mission, the Cornell Lab creates cutting-edge technology, harnesses big data, and works with partners, contributors, and communities around the globe.
