Young White-tailed Kite

Gallery: AvianPosted October 8, 2011107 views8 comments

Last Sunday we went out with David Haynes to capture some images of Kites, Kestrels and Harriers. I was not lucky enough to get one close. Had a great time with David, he is such a pleasure to shoot with. Had some storms come through this week but Friday was great so I went out to Irvine Regional Park to shoot some Acorn Woodpeckers and check out the Wood Ducks. While scouting the two small ponds I noticed three Kites flying around about a quarter mile away and drove over to that area. I had to should between openings in the trees but I obtained my best today images of WT Kites. I still have work to do.

This image is a big crop but I like the pose with eye contact and the open beak.

Comments are always appreciated.

10-07-2011 at 7:25 a.m.
Canon 7D with EF 500mm f/4L
Handheld
1/1600 at f / 5.6
Exp Comp + 1/3
AV
Metering at Pattern

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on October 8, 2011 at 11:55 AM

Real nice handling of the whites - gorgeous lighting on the bird and the open beak and spread talons equal great action

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on October 8, 2011 at 5:13 PM

Love the wing position and the open beak, nice image.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on October 8, 2011 at 6:45 PM

A wonderful image, Skip - great pose with open beak and extended talons. Good light and comp.
It would be even better if you could isolate the eye, play with the levels/brightness sliders and try also to saturate the reds a bit.
Really nice image!
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on October 8, 2011 at 7:23 PM

Wonderful shot Skip. Enjoy San Jacinto tomorrow.

Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments

Comment posted by Hussain Nalwala on October 8, 2011 at 9:55 PM

With beak open the landing shot looks great....Beautiful.

Registered on April 18, 2011, 298 Posts, 339 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on October 9, 2011 at 6:44 AM

I like the action Skip. The bird looks sharp. Large crop does show in the amount of detail visible in the bird, but it works for me. I do wish there was a bit more light in the bird's eye and on the bush it is about to land in to reduce the amount of contrast between the two.

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

Comment posted by Angela McCain on October 9, 2011 at 9:36 AM

Nice image of a great bird. You have some beautiful light here. I like the pose with the open beak. Would like a little more detail at the eye. May be able to get that with post-processing.

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on October 9, 2011 at 8:56 PM

Harry, I especially like the flight posture and how the background for the head with that wonderful open beak is the wing. Makes it much more interesting for me than if the head background had been blue sky. Personally I'm fine with the lack of light on the "soon to be" perch. Nicely done.

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