Snail Kite with Prey

Gallery: AvianPosted August 2, 2010223 views20 comments

I'm sticking with my theme of images taken from boat launches with this one (my prior post was a barred owl photographed at the Lake Marian boat ramp). My dad & I were fishing in FL a few weeks ago when a storm ran us off Lake Jackson. As we waited for the evening storm to pass one of the many snail kites (we saw 14 at 1 time) came and perched in beautiful light to enjoy a meal with the dark storm clouds providing a nice background. I always have my camera ready when out on the boat so it was as simple as grab & shoot. I took this as he was repositioning with outstretched wings for balance. Larger version included, all C&C welcome.
1DMIIN, 500f4IS, f5.6, 1/1250sec, ISO320, handheld

Comments

20 comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on August 2, 2010 at 11:35 PM

Beautiful.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by denise ippolito on August 2, 2010 at 11:35 PM

Kirk, the raised foot and name sake meal makes this special. Very nice details, exposure and composition.

Registered on December 17, 2009, 202 Posts, 1529 Comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on August 2, 2010 at 11:41 PM

Sweet...what a terrific pose!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on August 3, 2010 at 12:56 AM

Excellent catch - great pose, detail, perch and BG too -
Sandy r

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on August 3, 2010 at 12:59 AM

Love the detail in addition to the fabulous pose and perch. Can't complain when they land in front of you and perch now can you? Super job!

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on August 3, 2010 at 5:30 AM

Nice one Kirk - great perch, pose and detail in the wings

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on August 3, 2010 at 9:55 AM

Gorgeous, Kirk. Great light and pose, and the snail is a nice touch.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Taylor on August 3, 2010 at 9:59 AM

Superb timing. Living up to his name...

Registered on July 31, 2010, 5 Posts, 91 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on August 3, 2010 at 11:42 AM

Good thing you always have your camera, wonderful detail and sharpness in the larger image, I like how the one claw is up, way to go.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on August 3, 2010 at 12:46 PM

Sweet in all respects. Well done.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on August 3, 2010 at 1:17 PM

Kirk,

The light, pose and action are great. Well done!

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on August 3, 2010 at 4:26 PM

You caught the perfect moment at touch down. Very nice work Kirk

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Bob McQuade on August 3, 2010 at 5:35 PM

Large image is VERY impressive, great shot

Registered on October 8, 2009, 214 Posts, 432 Comments

Comment posted by Benjamin DeHaven on August 3, 2010 at 5:51 PM

Love the shot! My only negative comment is that the image seems to be a bit heavy on the left hand side. I see in this crop you could not move him to the right without crowding his wing. Not sure what type of room you have to play with. But please understand, I am nit picking here, this shot is great in every other respect!

Registered on May 31, 2010, 26 Posts, 53 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on August 3, 2010 at 5:53 PM

Superbly done! f8 and be there, they say!

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Joe James on August 3, 2010 at 10:16 PM

Great shot Kirk, nothing to change here!

Registered on November 20, 2009, 89 Posts, 808 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on August 4, 2010 at 7:05 PM

That's a really sweet image Kirk, wonderful pose showing those whitish underwing primaries, the snail and the foot up. If you have more room at the bottom I might include a little more there and a little less on top as it's such a cool perch as well. Great shot!

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on August 4, 2010 at 8:33 PM

Kirk, This is just excellent, for all the reasons mentioned by others. I like Nate's suggestion, though I probably wouldn't have thought of it in this case.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Ingrid Vekemans on August 17, 2010 at 2:27 PM

Great pose, I love the composition and uncluttered BG!

Registered on August 2, 2010, 138 Posts, 780 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on September 15, 2010 at 9:35 PM

Glad your other post lead me back to this one. I like the one raised foot and the wing position. Must have been quite a sight to see.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments