Black-shouldered Kite

[Paul Burdett]

Hi all,
Revisited my (now) favourite location only 5 minutes from my home. The Kite is always perched high up on a branch on the same tree whenever I'm there. I waited patiently for it to take off...hoping for an in-flight shot, but it wasn't to be. However, it did take off and land in a nearby tree. Through high grass I edged closer in order to take this shot. I know the background is very busy, but I guess it's in a natural surrounding. f5.6, 1/640th sec, iso640 in AV mode, hand held. feedback appreciated as always.

[arash_hazeghi]

nice find, these are very similar to the North American white tailed kite. the conditions were not ideal here, with the busy BG, steep angle and less than ideal HA but a nice encounter any way.

TFS

[Paul Burdett]

Hi Arash. I appreciate your feedback. Yes, it would be nice to get a less cluttered background, but I was not able to get much closer as it took off...I'll be trying again soon. Likewise it would have been nice to have it land more on an eye level...but it's not always an ideal world...lol. Can you advise as to what you believe is a better HA and why? Your photos are so impressive, so I value your advice. Also, I'm thinking that a 5D Mk4 or 1DX (Mk1 or 2) would be a huge step up from my 7D Mk2 for both static and in flight photos. What would be your recommendation knowing that my Canon 100-400 is my only telephoto lens at this point. Cheers.

[arash_hazeghi]

Hi Paul, ideally you want the bird to make a stronger connection with the viewer which means either direct look at the camera or the head parallel to the back or slightly angled towards the back of the camera, in your shot the head is angled away from us
. here is an example of what I mean from a very similar specie https://ari1982.smugmug.com/Portfolio/Avian/Raptors/White-tailed-Kites/i-ns4vpBc/A

you will also find this thread useful http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php/69803-Head-Angle-Fine-Points

the camera bodies you mention are significantly better the 7D however your lens is a bit too short

best

[Dorian Anderson]

The head angle doesn't both me as he's looking in your general direction and the eyes/face are sharp. The busy BG is tough though.

[Paul Burdett]

Thank you Dorian.

[Paul Burdett]

Hi Arash. Masny thanks for the quick reply, feedback link...very informative. I'll keep the HA in mind on my next shoot. Might be a (long) while before I could afford a 500 or 600mm lens though...so it's the 100-400 for now. I do have other shots of this Kite looking directly at me..so will post soon. Thank you again.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Tough and busy conditions as pointed out. The head angle is not bad as it is angled towards us, maybe just a bit more than ideal but still OK. I'm not sure where Arash seeing the head angled away here. Hopefully you will more chances with this beautiful species.

[gail bisson]

What a beautiful bird. Nice environmental image. IQ is very good and I like the detail in the feathers and the soft, diffuse light.
These birds are tough to get close to.
I do wish that he had looked down directly at you. This would have done 2 things-
1. fool the eye into thinking the shooting angle is not as steep and
2. draws the viewers eye into the bird and initially minimizes the impact of the BG.

[Paul Burdett]

Thank you Daniel and Gail...I value your feedback. I did have other shots from a previous shoot with the bird looking at me...the sharpness is not then best I think but hopefully the HA is better. Despite photographing birds for a few years now I have learnt a lot since joining this forum. Thank you.

[arash_hazeghi]

Tough and busy conditions as pointed out. The head angle is not bad as it is angled towards us, maybe just a bit more than ideal but still OK. I'm not sure where Arash seeing the head angled away here. Hopefully you will more chances with this beautiful species.

Hi Daniel, the bird is looking to the upper left corner, it is not looking at us. the image in pane 10 has the bird looking at us

[Paul Burdett]

Hi Arash. The images on your blog are inspirational. Can you advise if the info in your "Birds in flight photography basics 2017" would apply to my Canon ef100-400 lens (I know the 7D mk2 is relevant). Cheers.
(it's a shame the US to Aus dollar conversion is not favourable at the moment...lol)

[arash_hazeghi]

Hi Arash. The images on your blog are inspirational. Can you advise if the info in your "Birds in flight photography basics 2017" would apply to my Canon ef100-400 lens (I know the 7D mk2 is relevant). Cheers.
(it's a shame the US to Aus dollar conversion is not favourable at the moment...lol)

Hi Paul, yes it is.

[Paul Burdett]

Hi Gail. A belated thank you for the feedback. I had a look at your gallery...beautiful photos!

[Daniel Cadieux]

Hi Daniel, the bird is looking to the upper left corner, it is not looking at us. the image in pane 10 has the bird looking at us

Ah, I see what you mean: Looking away from being completely straight-down-the-barrel.