[Birdtalk] Birds In Flight Photo Questions

[Buck Russell]

Yesterday I went to Porcupine Reservoir in Cache Valley to see if the Kokanee Salmon had started their spawning migration up the creek from the reservoir.  I was not disappointed.  They have turned red and are working their way upstream.  These salmon are easy pickings for raptors.  Normally I just carry my point and shoot camera that I use for digiscoping, but I wanted to take some exposures of the fall colors around the reservoir, so I took a digital SLR.  While standing on the dam I had an opportunity to take photos of a BELTED KINGFISHER.  While in the midst of taking some macro photos of red colored leaves, a BALD EAGLE flew by carrying a salmon (the photos I took of the flying eagle while the camera was set up in macro mode turned out surprisingly decent).  There was also a STELLERS JAY chasing some CROWs.   In the area where the creek enters the reservoir I found an AMERICAN DIPPER.  There were also some RING-BILLED GULLS and a tern-like bird (did not get a good look and could not relocate the bird).  Just below the dam, near the final turn-off to the reservoir, I found a SHARP-TAILED GROUSE walking near the side of the road.   
 
And now for my birds in flight (BIF) photo questions for the photographers on the list.  The opportunity to take photos of BIF can be measured in seconds, or perhaps a fraction of a second.  What settings do you have on your camera as you go birding, trying to maximize your photo opportunities?  I know the immediate answer is:  "it depends......on the lighting, your lens, topography, etc."  I do most of my birding in the morning hours on clear, beautiful Utah days.  In general, what mode do you have on the camera as you get out of the car and start birding? Program, Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Manual?  What metering mode do you prefer for capturing BIF exposures?   If you feel the answers to these questions are not appropriate for birdtalk, please reply off list.
Thanks.
Buck Russell
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