Snail kite with snail

Gallery: AvianPosted March 27, 2011125 views20 comments

Getting tired of snail kites yet? Well, this species is being cooperative at the moment, so that is what I have to post. Here is another bird with a snail and some salad to go along with it. I like the snail and vege, it really makes the image for me. I do like the bird too and I feel you can still see the nice hooked beak very well even though it is in front of the wing. Added canvas on left and top. Please view the larger version for max details. Thanks for looking.

Canon 1DM4
500mm f/4 + 1.4x TC
ISO 800
1/2000s
f/8
Manual exp.
Hand held from my boat
78% of FF before canvas addition
Not baited or called in

Comments

20 comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on March 27, 2011 at 4:16 PM

Stupid me. I did it again. See repost of correct color space on small version. Large version is correct.

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

Comment posted by Carol Hyman on March 27, 2011 at 4:17 PM

Ron, Great capture. Beak is well seen, and the snail and "salad ingredients" add significantly to the image.
Well done.

Cheers,

Carol

Registered on January 18, 2007, 597 Posts, 8062 Comments

Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on March 27, 2011 at 4:29 PM

Great shot- Perfect exposure, pose and stunning details on larger version- My best congrats, Fabio

Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Marquart on March 27, 2011 at 4:45 PM

Terrific image Ron, great detail as usual.

Registered on October 24, 2009, 126 Posts, 799 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on March 27, 2011 at 5:16 PM

This is just wonderful Ron. Snail is killer. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on March 27, 2011 at 5:30 PM

Keep 'em coming, Ron. I had a go at them lately, but not enough reach for detail like you're getting.
I esp like this one carrying lunch. Fab mage.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on March 27, 2011 at 6:31 PM

I like my snails with salad as well

Hate to sound like an awestruck fan, but what the heck..This is awesome Ron.
Very well done!

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on March 27, 2011 at 6:46 PM

Terrific! Keep them coming when they are so fine.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on March 27, 2011 at 7:08 PM

can't see myself getting tired of these. fantastic bird, great light in the eye, snail + veg is just great. details are excellent, comp is perfect for me. I love it.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on March 27, 2011 at 7:41 PM

Beautiful look at this Snail Kite, Ron. Great wing position and really nice lighting. The snail is a huge bonus. Awesome image.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on March 27, 2011 at 8:34 PM

Can't get enough of the kites.. I just wish they were MINE!

Terrific pose, great colors, bonus snail and a side dish of veggie = PERFECT.
Sandy

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

Comment posted by S Govindarajan on March 27, 2011 at 8:59 PM

The larger version really shines, Ron. Excellent detail on the underwing. I like the great look at the eye and beak. Exceptional series, so far.

Registered on April 19, 2008, 115 Posts, 1921 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Backlund on March 27, 2011 at 9:36 PM

I'd never get tired of shots like these. Nice view of the molt sequence in the primaries here too. Just awesome!

Registered on September 29, 2005, 252 Posts, 3380 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on March 27, 2011 at 11:34 PM

Very sharp and I like the snail in the talons.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on March 28, 2011 at 7:42 AM

Why would we when they're of this quality. Wonderful detail Ron and the trailing weed is a bonus

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by May Haga on March 28, 2011 at 2:57 PM

Beautiful action, beautifully captured Ron. Good to see he is getting his veggies along with the meat.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Cloran on March 28, 2011 at 4:48 PM

Super shot Ron. I could wish that we didn't have the alignment merger between the wing and the head but that is a nit on a true beauty. I love the added grasses she is carying with the snail.

Registered on April 6, 2004, 119 Posts, 1989 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on March 28, 2011 at 5:02 PM

Excellent flight shot Ron. The detail on the larger image is great and I always like the directional light that you choose, really lights up the bird so we can see those wonderful feather details and eye contact. This looks like a beautiful bird, well done.

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

Comment posted by Eric Diller on March 30, 2011 at 6:47 AM

Spot on shot Ron!

Registered on October 2, 2009, 69 Posts, 434 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on April 4, 2011 at 12:14 AM

Awesome shot Ron, love the snail and weeds hanging down it makes for a great comp here. My favorite of your Snail Kite shots.

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