They can be found perched on fencelines, wires, and snags throughout the area. While most nest elsewhere, there are scattered numbers which do so on the refuge , including a few which nest in birdhouses at the Malheur Field Station . They are around in sufficient numbers so that you can be assured of finding some perched nearby when driving along the refuge's Center Patrol Road . The males, though beautiful with their deep purple, iridescent back and bright white undersides, exceed the contrast range of slide film and therefore are difficult to capture convincingly.
Contrast is lowered if there are clouds, but then the iridescent colors disappear.
I usually compromise by shooting in the early morning, when there's enough light to bring out their color while being a bit softer and less contrasty, and by using film other than my normal, contrasty, Velvia. There are a couple of accessible snags near Benson Pond which are covered with dozens of perching tree swallows during migration. The Center Patrol Road between Diamond Lane and Buena Vista is good, too.