Snail kite with snail

Gallery: AvianPosted May 9, 2011172 views25 comments

Here is another snail kite with a nice big snail. I like the vertical wing position in this shot. I also like the BG and the water trailing off the snail. To me the detail in the bird is really nice as the feather textures and colors really show well in the larger version. This is a horizontal cropped to vertical. Please view the larger version for max details and thanks for looking.

Canon 1DM4
500mm f/4 + 1.4x TC
ISO 800
1/2000s
f/7.1
Manual exp.
Hand held from my boat
45% of FF
Not baited harassed in any way

Comments

25 comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on May 9, 2011 at 5:55 PM

Outstanding as usual, Ron ! One thing that I appreciate is that from your boat you can get into many areas where the birds are that wouldn't be possible from land. Nice work !

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on May 9, 2011 at 7:09 PM

love the great view of the wing here, Ron--texture and detail, as you say, is fantastic. besides the wing position, the comp, habitat, snail, and water drops are all super. you've really put in some great work with this species this spring.

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

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on May 9, 2011 at 8:11 PM

Stunning - I like the vertical and the detail looks awesome for such a large crop. The water trailing out of the frame is icing

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

Comment posted by Steve Canuel on May 9, 2011 at 8:58 PM

Wing position, BG, and trailing drops of water all contribute to making this another nice image. Do they dive into the water to get these snails, grab them on the fly, or jump from reed to reed until they see one and then grab it?

Registered on September 12, 2010, 53 Posts, 660 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on May 9, 2011 at 9:02 PM

Steve, thanks so much for your comment. Snail kites hunt just like northern harriers do. They fly low over the marsh looking down until they see a snail they want and then do a quick pivot of a turn and dive down talons first into the water. They use their very long talons as sort of a grappling hook to grab the snail and lift it out of the water and vegetation. It sounds easier than it is really, becasue the snails have hold of the vege and they don't let go easily, so the kites miss a lot and drop a lot of snails. Very interesting to watch and try to get photos of. Cheers.

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

Comment posted by David Haynes on May 9, 2011 at 9:27 PM

Ron,
You are absolutely killing me with these snail kites. Just keep sending them my way because I will never tire of them. Once again, I love the water drops trailing off the snail, I love the feather detail and the wing position, and I love the background which reminds me of your last image...Probably the same place. I really like the verticle comp on this too. OK...I'll just shut up now.

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

Comment posted by Steve Canuel on May 9, 2011 at 10:01 PM

Thanks for the info Ron. Interesting technique.

Registered on September 12, 2010, 53 Posts, 660 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on May 9, 2011 at 10:29 PM

Another beauty - great wing position, nice BG and the snail and dripping water make it unique.

Sandy

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

Comment posted by Marc Dubuc on May 9, 2011 at 11:40 PM

Stunning picture. Great flight shot!

Registered on January 4, 2011, 59 Posts, 229 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Holguin on May 10, 2011 at 12:37 AM

I really like the water drops and the huge snail. Real nice eye and the wing position is superb. Well done.

Registered on January 25, 2011, 44 Posts, 294 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on May 10, 2011 at 8:03 AM

Very sharp and I really like the wing position.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on May 10, 2011 at 8:15 AM

Another beauty Ron - I can imagine the ball you must have had (still having) taking these

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Karen Summers on May 10, 2011 at 10:09 AM

another cracking detailed shot love the water droplets to

Registered on December 3, 2009, 83 Posts, 818 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on May 10, 2011 at 11:25 AM

Well, I said the last one was my favorite but now this one is my favorite. Excellent feather display and detail on the hawk. I like the red eye with the orange beak/talons on this hawk that give it some nice extra color and the background colors you are getting from the boat really compliment the overall image, outstanding work Ron, a pleasure to view.

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on May 10, 2011 at 2:20 PM

Excellent. Nice detail and proper exposure. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Eric Diller on May 10, 2011 at 3:01 PM

Fantastic score Ron!

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

Comment posted by keith mitchell on May 10, 2011 at 3:30 PM

Ron this and the other Kite shots are really excellent.

Keith.

Registered on July 12, 2008, 127 Posts, 1735 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on May 10, 2011 at 5:03 PM

Awesome catch Ron.
May

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

Comment posted by David Sparks on May 10, 2011 at 5:18 PM

Ron:
I'm in total agreement with your own critique. It's a stunner!

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by S Govindarajan on May 10, 2011 at 7:46 PM

Another beauty, Ron. Great pose and an excellent look at the eye and plumage. The fanned out tail towards you is a big bonus.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on May 11, 2011 at 6:17 AM

What to say Ron?
Techs looks excellent, seems all the ducks lined up for you nicely.
One thing I can call ya on..
Work on that title, needs a creative lift that matches the "heights" of this fine image

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

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on May 11, 2011 at 5:08 PM

Ron, your critique pretty much covers everything, but I agree with your words. Splendid job. Oh, what Howard said, the title could use some work.

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

Comment posted by Harry Harris on May 11, 2011 at 10:09 PM

Sandy, it is unanimous at the Harris household; a winner. The BG is terrific. We like the banded colors which tell about the enviornment but do not take away from the Kite. The vertical comp really sets of the wing position. Love it.

Harry