Another Year

Gallery: AvianPosted March 10, 2013113 views14 comments

The snail kites have returned to nest for another year. Hopefully they will be successful. The male of this pair is now sporting his grey plumage. Last year he still had his mottled look. I know this is one of the same males I photographed last year because he is banded. It appears he is paired with the same female from last year. Together these two fledged two young last year. No easy feat.

Canon 1DM4
500mm f/4
ISO 800
1/1250s
f/8
manual exp.
hand held from my boat

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on March 10, 2013 at 1:31 PM

Ron-I'm always amazed at the detail you consistently manage with these hand held shots-and from a "fluid" platform at that. Great shot!

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on March 10, 2013 at 2:41 PM

The LP looks very nice Ron. Dynamic flight pose.

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

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on March 10, 2013 at 2:53 PM

Stunning shot - razor sharp and a great species of course. Keep us posted on their progress ! Awesome shot.

, Hans

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

Comment posted by Dave Walz on March 10, 2013 at 3:19 PM

Very nice capture. I like the angle of the subject. The soft OOF background make your image pop. Very, very sharp!

Registered on September 26, 2011, 22 Posts, 67 Comments

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on March 10, 2013 at 4:51 PM

Great shot, love the detail.

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

Comment posted by Manjot Singh on March 10, 2013 at 5:23 PM

it is nice capture

Registered on May 10, 2012, 25 Posts, 66 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on March 10, 2013 at 5:49 PM

Hello Ron

Sweet Image capture!!

Never seen or been near a kite but maybe sometime?

Sharp detailed, nice wing position.

Bill

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

Comment posted by Danny on March 10, 2013 at 6:00 PM

Yes excellent details and really like the wing spread. Would love to see these. Great clean background and comp.

Danny.

Registered on November 25, 2003, 165 Posts, 1345 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on March 10, 2013 at 8:06 PM

It's so neat that you have a returning pair! I enjoyed your kite pics from last year, and am hoping both you and the kites have another successful year! Wonderful sharpness on this one and the curled up wing tip does it for me! Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on March 10, 2013 at 11:20 PM

Wonderful flight shot Ron, nice to see the Snail Kite's again, they are really a special bird, well done.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on March 11, 2013 at 12:32 AM

Beautiful Ron

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

Comment posted by Verdon on March 11, 2013 at 2:11 AM

simply love it, great top view and excellent pose, three thumbs up!!!! Hope they will be successful with their family, well done!

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

Comment posted by Jeff Lewis on March 11, 2013 at 2:47 AM

Excellent pose, background and sharpness really nail it. Very nice job, congrats

Registered on January 29, 2013, 9 Posts, 89 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on March 11, 2013 at 12:26 PM

Really nice, Ron. Such a pleasing background, and the eye (and catchlight) really pops.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments