White-tailed Kites

Beautiful image Charlie, I especially like the rodent in the talons of the Kite. The whites look a little hot - you should be able to bring them down a bit in PS without sacrificing anything. That being side, the brightness on the eyes is amazing and I really like how you got 2 of them in the same shot, always tough to do with birds of prey.

- Luke

Neat shot Charlie. I like the composition. +1 on Luke's suggestion about the whites.

Great to get two birds and a rodent. The eye on the bird on the left looks a little odd - not sure if it is just the way the light is catching it.

Charlie, It is indeed rare that anyone can get closer to these. I like the poses. I am totally impressed you managed top get both in focus! The rodent, the bg and the bare branched tree really complete the composition.

The eyes of both birds are probably reflecting the harsh light. I agree with Luke that the whites are a skoshe hot. I read at the hottest on the left bird's left breast at about 252—barely in gamut. a simple exposure adjustment should take care of the eyes and the bright whites.

Phil

Very good capture, Charlie, on a famously spooky species. Other than pulling the whites down a hair, as Luke suggests, no nits from me.

They sure were shy in Texas, as you will recall. Nit mentioned.

Super shot Charlie. I have been trying to get this species here in FL and boy they are skittish. I like the rodent and the pose of the other bird. A very nice comp. I agree the whites could come down a bit. Well done getting this species.

I would love to just get the chance to see these beauties Charlie. Nice capture.

A very difficult species to find, then get close to, much less photograph and you got two of them - sharp, on a great perch, one with prey and the other with a wonderful pose. I'm certainly not going to complain much about some slightly bright whites. What I AM going to complain about is your bragging about your temperatures Charlie. Have some heart!

I'd be delighted to have taken this.

Great shot of some unusual birds.

78? it was 16 last night where I was shooting today... In FL! Anyway a couple of beauties here . Dof looks good but i would like to see it toned down a bit myself.

Charlie,

78?!! I probably won't see those temps for awhile.

I love that you were able to get both these kites in the image, the rodent, the great perch and background. I agree the whites look a little hot, but they should be easy for you to bring down a little.

I especially like the wing position of the bird at the top which shows the dark wrist spot so well.

I would often see Swallow-tailed Kites in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, but I only spotted one of these White-tailed Kites in Pinellas County, it had not been reported there since 1910 when I photographed the bird in very bad light. I would love a chance to photograph one again in better conditions.

This is a very lovely image as posted. Big congrats.

I love these birds.. but yea they're tough to get close to! Nice job catching two together, with some prey! The light ain't ideal, and the whites a bit hot, but I think that's easily fixable (the whites, not the light )

Neat, Charlie. We occasionally get a pair up here, but the one opportunity I had with them didn't produce anything better than an ID shot.