Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
Close encounter
‹ PreviousAvian GalleryNext ›

Close encounter

by Geoffrey Baker

Gallery: AvianPosted March 6, 2011237 views5 comments
Taken at Gigrin Farm Red Kite feeding station, Wales a few years ago.

I did actually try to get a Red Kite in the shot as it dived down for food, the Buzzard was feeding on the floor but as you know the Kites don't land, they swoop down to pick up food and eat it in the air.

Konica/Minolta Dynax 7D
Sigma 50-500
1/4000th
f6.3
ISO 400
360mm
+1 stop exposure compensation
Probably about a 50% crop from the original
Hand held

Comments

5 comments
Comment posted by Ron Dudley on March 6, 2011 at 6:34 PM
I like the apparent interaction between the two birds Geoff but I think this is a tough shot to pull off with the back side view of the foreground bird and the background bird OOF. I'll be interested to see the take of others.
Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Gulash on March 6, 2011 at 7:06 PM
Interesting having two raptor species in one photo. It looks like the Kite has the Buzzard in its sights, the Buzzard appears to be caught off guard. Good sharpness on the Kite, as it should be.
Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments
Comment posted by David Haynes on March 6, 2011 at 7:09 PM
Geoffrey,
If I had to pick one of the birds to be sharp I think I would pick the far bird because he is looking at you and appears to be the focal point of the shot. I really like the framing of the far bird and the fact that he's right between the wings of the incoming bird. Great interaction but like Ron said, a really tough shot to pull off. You've done about as good as could be expected.
Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments
Comment posted by Michael Lotito on March 6, 2011 at 8:09 PM
I love the interaction between the two raptors! Impossible to do but it would have been great to have both bird in focus. :toast:
Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Hackley on March 10, 2011 at 12:09 AM
I like the way the buzzard is line up within the wing span of the kite and I also think this is a difficult choice of which bird to try and get in focus, nice job in getting this angle.
Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments