Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
Snail kite
‹ PreviousAvian GalleryNext ›

Snail kite

by Ron Bielefeld

Gallery: AvianPosted October 14, 2012169 views18 comments
I always look forward to photographing these birds. I just hope this species hangs on, as their population here in the U.S. (i.e., Florida) continues to drop. This bird and its mate raised two young to fledging this past year. Always good to see. I hope other pairs were as successful.

Please view larger version for max. details. Thanks.

Canon 1DM4
500mm f/4
ISO 800
1/2000s
f/6.3
Manual exp.
Hand held

Comments

18 comments
Comment posted by Hans Overduin on October 14, 2012 at 9:44 AM
Wonderful shot and good to hear that at least this one has been reproducing ! Great work ( both them and you I'd say) ! Hans
Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Nall on October 14, 2012 at 12:16 PM
Ron, the larger image is one that really bowls me over! Man and wow! Super light, detail and that eye! Super background. Originally I thought it'd be nice to have a bit more room on the right for it to fly into, but I'm not so sure now. A nice image!
Registered on October 5, 2012, 45 Posts, 168 Comments
Comment posted by Mike Ramy on October 14, 2012 at 12:33 PM
Ron,
Outstanding Capture, the sun lighting the Kite and the detail you obtained is fantastic. :toast:
Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments
Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on October 14, 2012 at 1:01 PM
Exceptional kite image, as usual!
Sweet wingspread and prey. Seems a little tight at the top..
Sandy
Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments
Comment posted by Angela McCain on October 14, 2012 at 1:44 PM
Another great image. I like the wing position. Light is perfect. The bit of iridescence on the snail. Well done.
Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments
Comment posted by Charles Gangas on October 14, 2012 at 6:05 PM
Another outstanding Kite image Ron-I never get tired of viewing your amazing BIF images.
Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments
Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on October 14, 2012 at 7:33 PM
Wonderful flight and with it's namesake prey intact. The red eye is a vivid spark of color. It would seem you know and are able to watch their nest. Is it's location widely known?

Charlie
Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Schiebelbein on October 14, 2012 at 9:22 PM
Perfect exposure on this brings out the feather detail on both the white on the tail and the browns underneath the wings. The red eye is neat as well as the one claw snail grip. :toast:
Registered on November 8, 2008, 55 Posts, 393 Comments
Comment posted by Rob Drummond on October 15, 2012 at 7:08 AM
Nice one Ron - love that spread tail
Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Ditch on October 15, 2012 at 11:40 AM
Another amazingly good image of this limited species.You are the Master of kites in flight.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments
Comment posted by Verdon on October 15, 2012 at 1:30 PM
wow, excellent work!!! :toast: :wavey: :toast:
Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Hackley on October 15, 2012 at 4:47 PM
Excellent flight shot Ron, good to see your images again. I really like how the light shows off this bird's feathers. The red eye and large snail really draw me into the image, the larger image was a pleasure to view.
Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Dudley on October 15, 2012 at 7:51 PM
A superb image Ron. Exposure, sharpness and background are wonderful. And to top it all off, there's the snail.
Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on October 16, 2012 at 6:35 PM
Lovely color and light, excellent POV and comp Ron.
It's all good, very nice work :toast:
Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Archer on October 17, 2012 at 5:17 PM
Another beauty of this species Ron :cool: Great wing spread and detail, but that bright eye is what puts this over the top for me.

Sweet One!

Ken Archer
Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments
Comment posted by Nate Chappell on October 18, 2012 at 4:41 PM
Sweet lighting and shot Ron :toast:
Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments
Comment posted by May Haga on October 19, 2012 at 12:37 PM
Beautiful frame filling capture Ron.
May
Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments
Comment posted by Derrick Lipinski on October 20, 2012 at 10:44 PM
Wonderful capture, Ron. The lighting is just perfect. :smile:
Registered on October 5, 2007, 58 Posts, 2039 Comments