branches everywhere, but...

Lots of action in the branches with the snail kites last April. I watched this female repeatedly chase and align herself to receive the apple snail food her mate would share with her. I was able to fire off the sequence of the food exchange and chose this frame because of the ruby eyes and both beaks holding the snail... Sure would have been a killer frame if the branches didn't crowd the pair but it is their habitat. Most of the branches are snapped off as the kites work to balance, pull, and bite off the tip of a branch to use for their nest.
This was taken in evening light , HH, from a boat. I was pleased to have both wings outstretched and the view of their exchange unobstructed by twigs...

1Dx
840mm

ISO 1250
f7.1
1/2000

Glad you described what happened. Thought the upper bird was eating the lower one. They both have a nice pose on them.

You did a great job of getting this sharp with a perfect exposure and a great job of capturing the decisive moment. But ...

with love, artie

Great job is right. Both heads are visible and sharp. Not much you could do about the branches though. Details and colors look great. Well done Ann

Hello Ann,

Great action photo - you must have had plenty of perseverance to pull this off!

I see that the female is ringed - are these birds endangered in the US.

Regards,
Rob

Thanks Robert,
yes most of the kites during that day shoot were ringed. The snail kite is a locally endangered species in the Florida Everglades, with a population of less than 400 breeding pairs. Research has demonstrated that water-level control in the Everglades is depleting the population of apple snails. However, this species is not generally threatened over its extensive range.

Thanks for the background info Ann.

Regards,
Rob