Snail kite - male

Gallery: AvianPosted March 18, 2012241 views28 comments

It is snail kite time again here in FL. A period of the year I look forward to with great anticipation. I have spent a few day out this these birds already this year and have been rewarded with some nice images.

I like the light, flight position, BG, and snail in this shot. Please view the larger version for max. details. Thanks so much.

Canon 1DM4
500mm f/4 + 1.4x TC
ISO 800
1/2500s
f/6.3
Manual exp.
Hand held from my boat

Comments

28 comments

Comment posted by Bill Kleinfelder on March 18, 2012 at 10:50 AM

Ron, It was a great time shooting with you. These birds are always fun to watch snagging Apple Snails. Great shot all the way around!

Registered on September 6, 2011, 14 Posts, 71 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on March 18, 2012 at 11:32 AM

Impeccable in all respects. Perfect flight position. Terrific detail. Correct exposure. Nice background.

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

Comment posted by Verdon on March 18, 2012 at 12:19 PM

great shot, wish I have something like that in my gallery

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

Comment posted by Peter Cross on March 18, 2012 at 1:49 PM

I've been anticipating some snail kite photos from you. And that's a good thing. Very nice action shot with a great position, superb detail, and complementary BG that really helps focus the attention on the bird. Very dynamic pose here and a great look at the somewhat fearsome talons and beak on this bird.

Registered on April 3, 2010, 271 Posts, 1342 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on March 18, 2012 at 3:08 PM

Hey Ron, absolutely wonderful image, I like all about it ! Excellent sharpness, colors and detail ! Amazing session you have had there ! Cheers, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on March 18, 2012 at 4:43 PM

Stunning shot! I cannot add anything to the previous posts.

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

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on March 18, 2012 at 6:24 PM

cool, Ron! I was hoping that you were getting out with these guys, and that we'd see the results! so much to like about this... I love the great view of the face and bill, the snail in the talons, and the nice light and overall position of the bird. superb image--hope we see lots more!

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on March 18, 2012 at 7:45 PM

Ummm..sure this isn't a female? too much brown and not enough gray for a male, I think.
Another killer kite image - exquisite detail, great eye, excellent pose, and nice BG... and the apple snail.

Sandy

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on March 18, 2012 at 7:58 PM

Nope Sandy, this is a male. It is a second-year bird, a relative youngster. The amount of grey, especially on the face is too much for a female. Also, I actually have seen this bird mate with "his" female, so I def. know this is a male.

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

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on March 18, 2012 at 8:46 PM

Awesome image Ron-cool flight pose, nice smooth background and super sharp.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on March 18, 2012 at 10:38 PM

Sweet shot, Ron. Great bird position and the apple snail is a huge plus. The background really works well. Excellent detail.

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

Comment posted by Angela McCain on March 18, 2012 at 11:18 PM

Magnificent. I was hoping that snail kite season was coming soon. Love these images.

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on March 18, 2012 at 11:48 PM

Wonderful flight shot full of detail with a complimentary background, I also like that the snail is in the right claw so you get a good look at the snail within the composition and I like the good eye contact, amazing shot Ron, well done.

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on March 19, 2012 at 11:02 AM

Here we go again with your incredible Kite images all with snails!

I really have to make my way to Florida one day and try to get a few shots of the Snail Kites. Ron, I basically like everything about this shot! Excellent work yet again.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on March 19, 2012 at 11:21 AM

A very dramatic flight shot Ron, I like the lifted talon with snail, great wing spread too. Excellent Work, a nice addition to your snail kit portfolio.

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Rohn B. McKee on March 19, 2012 at 12:30 PM

Great Photo Ron

Registered on November 18, 2008, 109 Posts, 415 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on March 19, 2012 at 2:13 PM

Excellent flight capture!

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by wade pettitt on March 19, 2012 at 7:05 PM

Gotta love that eye, wing position and the fact that it has a snail in its clutches. Ron, this is the best of this species I have seen. Well done!!

Registered on May 6, 2009, 184 Posts, 471 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on March 19, 2012 at 8:26 PM

I meant to stop by earlier, got side-tracked again..
The thunderstorms are rolling into Central Texas as I type, and it knocks me off my sat link, so it's a quickie

Outstanding image Ron, I'd call it a fav!

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

Comment posted by Roman Kurywczak on March 20, 2012 at 11:13 AM

The catch is a nice added bonus! The BG is excellent too! Very nicely done!

Registered on November 20, 2009, 56 Posts, 748 Comments

Comment posted by Geoff Powell on March 20, 2012 at 12:28 PM

This is a super image of a rather rare subject. I wonder, was this at the Blue Cypress area? Living in Vero myself, I've been meaning to go after these guys. Really well done.

Registered on March 20, 2012, 21 Posts, 170 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on March 20, 2012 at 2:47 PM

Geoff, no this was not on Blue Cypress. This was up in central Florida. If you are interested in going out some time just let me know. Cheers.

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

Comment posted by Geoff Powell on March 20, 2012 at 4:31 PM

Sounds great Ron. I'll be in touch and we can try to set something up. I'm always up for company on a shooting session ;~)

Registered on March 20, 2012, 21 Posts, 170 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Kleinfelder on March 20, 2012 at 9:55 PM

Beautiful shot Ron! Great all around.

Registered on September 6, 2011, 14 Posts, 71 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Roberts on March 20, 2012 at 11:59 PM

Great composition to highlight excellent detail and interesting position on the bird. Well done.

Registered on March 9, 2011, 69 Posts, 501 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on March 21, 2012 at 6:09 AM

Another classic Snail Kite from you Ron - it must be a lot of fun playing with this species