W-T Kite with Prey

Gallery: AvianPosted February 23, 2012310 views10 comments

White-Tailed Kite with Vole
Berkeley, CA - Marina Park

I don't mind the branch over one wing - it adds interest for me. I have several other "clean" ones.

D300s
500mm
1/2000 sec, f/8
Mode: Av
Metering: Multi-segment
Exp comp: -1/3
ISO: 400
AF mode: AF-C
White balance: AUTO

Not baited, called-in, set-up or otherwise manipulated in any way.

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Walt Sterneman on February 23, 2012 at 7:29 AM

Nice capture Sandy. Too bad the branch is covering the one wing. The eye looks good and sharp to me.

Registered on March 24, 2010, 73 Posts, 1268 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on February 23, 2012 at 10:04 AM

Nice seeing this kite with prey. There are a few here in AZ and if I'm lucky I get to see one each year if I spend enough time cruising the dirt roads in the agricultural areas between Phoenix and Tucson. But I've never gotten close enough to one like this for a good shot.

Exposure here is good, and there's nice detail. I like the wingspread and the view of the underside. The branch isn't ideal but isn't an image killer for me.

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

Comment posted by Jaymes Dempsey on February 23, 2012 at 10:07 PM

I like the pose a lot, with those spread wings, and the squirrel in the Kite's talons. Really nice! The larger version seems to be slightly soft.
Anyways, well captured.
Jaymes

Registered on June 28, 2010, 47 Posts, 590 Comments

Comment posted by Roger Kirchen on February 23, 2012 at 10:10 PM

Very nice and well exposed. Love the catchlight in the eye. The branch is of no distraction to me.

Registered on March 6, 2011, 95 Posts, 847 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on February 24, 2012 at 8:05 AM

Branch does not bother me, like the wing span. Nice to catch him with prey.

Ray

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

Comment posted by David Haynes on February 24, 2012 at 9:58 AM

Sandy,
Nice under wing exposure and a good look at the prey. It's tough to get the eyes on these birds because the eye brow puts the eye in shade so often but you really got a nice image here. I too like the branch in this image. Gives it some depth and tells me he's coming in for a landing to eat. Larger image appears to be slightly soft. Not sure if you forgot to sharpen for the web or not but still a great capture Sandy.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on February 24, 2012 at 12:40 PM

Hello Sandy

First time seen this Species. Thanks for the great Image. Nice tail spread & clean Eye view. The Image appears a tad soft in the Head area.

TFS

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Harris on February 25, 2012 at 2:19 PM

Great image Sandy. I like the branch in the image even if it blocks the wing a bit.

Registered on August 2, 2010, 169 Posts, 741 Comments

Comment posted by Verdon on February 25, 2012 at 4:49 PM

what a great shot Sandy, I wish is from my gallery.......three thumbs up!

Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on March 1, 2012 at 10:36 AM

Excellent capture Sandy. Nice to catch him with prey.
May

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