A swallow that stays

Most swallows are travellers. The Pacific Swallow is not. It lives here all year, along coasts and rivers and anywhere with open water and something to perch on. A lamp post on a pier is perfect: a clear view over the surface, and an easy launch when something small flies past.

It sat there for a good while, which is not swallow-like at all. Every so often it dropped, skimmed the water, and came back to the same spot. The light was hazy and the water behind it went to a pale sheet, so the bird and the post are almost a drawing.

Small bird, long lens, and a lot of empty space. Sometimes that is the picture.