Dear Bird Lover,

Welcome to the Cape May Fly-by Classic! 

Flight Around The Light​ by Alex Spielman

Here's the Lineup:

• One lighthouse holding the back line a good quarter mile away
• One flock of Tree Swallows running warm-ups just a few meters in front of me
• Wind assisting from the bay

Crowd Size: Just me and a gull with strong opinions

Whistle! Near-field zigzags; far-field calm. I sidestep a prickly plant, square my stance, and time the break in the swirl. Click. Click. 

Salt in the air. Dunes breathing. That gentle paper-soft rustle of wings that sounds like a book turning its own pages. Slow it down and you’ll see why Cape May, NJ gets these spectacles.

MORE ABOUT THIS PHOTO:

When the bug buffet closes down and the insect population reduces in the Fall, Tree Swallows tap the bayberry bar (high-energy fuel with a coastal view), turning the peninsula into a migration main event. You’re watching athletes on a salad-powered sprint.

The Tree Swallows were doing their close-up acrobatics in front of me while the lighthouse sat way back; steady, unbothered, exactly where a horizon keeps its promises. I loved the conversation between them: energy up close, composure in the distance. 

I built this image the same way you build a deep breath... one part at a time without moving your feet. 

This is a single scene, composed of a short sequence from the same spot, and then focus-stacked so the near birds and the far tower could share the same clarity. Think of it like stacking thin slices of sharpness: near, mid, far, then blend them so your eye can wander without falling out of focus. 

Here’s the print and link below. Make it any size to fit YOUR WALL! ​

Shop Flight Around the Light (click the link) 

→  Flight Around the Light - Stunning Wildlife Photography

Where this hangs like a champ:

• Entryway: a highlight reel as you head out.

• Stair landing: tall format + vertical space = instant arena.

• Studio/office: daily reminder that poise and excitement can be teammates.

• Coastal corners: nautical, but make it modern (zero seashell wallpaper required).

Size & frame suggestions (home-field advantage):

• 12×18" for a tidy win on a narrow wall.

• 20×30" for statement energy without calling the contractor.

• 30×45" for the full “turn the corner and gasp.”

• Frames: natural maple = warm coastal; slim black = gallery-clean; black float on canvas = polished, little shadow line that feels fancy; and more!

Quick finish picks (coaches’ challenge):

• Archival Cotton Paper (matte): soft, non-reflective; shows cloud texture and feather detail like a slow-motion replay. Mat it in white and let the reds/blues do their victory lap.

• Canvas (wrap or float-framed): gentle texture, relaxed beach-house vibe, great at larger sizes, almost no glare.

• Metal (gloss): bold color and crisp edges; wipe-clean; gloss for maximum pop

PS. My wife and I vote on “Best Perch” every month. Winner receives eternal glory, my undying gratitude, and a free 11x14 matted print from my show bins. 

If you love this image as much as I do and decide to buy it for your own, send me a photo of where it lands. I’ll add it to the highlight reel and cheer from the sidelines. ​