I enjoyed watching Tree Swallows flying around at Fern Ridge Wildlife Area. They are so fast! According to Wikipedia: "Speed: 18.64 mph (30 km/h) – 24.85 mph (40 km/h) (Foraging) · 31.07 mph (50 km/h) – 40.39 mph (65 km/h) (Travelling)" So, they can fly as fast as 40 MPH. So no wonder it is difficult to photograph a tiny bird going that fast! Because of that I 'focused' on the nesting boxes, where I could capture some of the action.
Quote from All About Birds http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Tree_Swallow/overview)
"Handsome aerialists with deep-blue iridescent backs and clean white fronts, Tree Swallows are a familiar sight in summer fields and wetlands across northern North America. They chase after flying insects with acrobatic twists and turns, their steely blue-green feathers flashing in the sunlight. Tree Swallows nest in tree cavities; they also readily take up residence in nest boxes. This habit has allowed scientists to study their breeding biology in detail, and makes them a great addition to many a homeowner’s yard or field."