Red kite feeding

[Ivan Ellison]

Finally got some half decent weather to try a winter project- red kites feeding on a pheasant. It took 2 days for one of the birds to settle and start to feed. They were baited with a dead pheasant carcass( I ate the breasts) legs etc were left. They were taken on a private site in W Yorks. I have put the remaining pheasants in the freezer and am hoping for some nice light next week when I am off again.
Would have liked to be on the level with the birds but the field was sloping away from me. No chance to move as they are extremely wary when on the ground.
Approx 60% of full frame.
Image brightened up a little, enhanced the clarity, contrast and colour, also sharpened and reduced noise in ACR
A very slight adjustment to highlights/shadows, blur tool across bg to smooth it out and sharpened twice with unsharp mask.
Canon 1D mkIV
Canon 500 f4 is
Gitzo tripod and Ameristep pop up hide
1/640
f4
ISO 800

[PhilCook]

Seems this bird has very refined tastes in what it like to eat lol

Stunning color and detail coming through, I'd be inclined to crop a little more of the oof foreground out though

[christopher galeski]

nice image,like the colors,sharp.well done.

[Travis Reid]

Well done , great colors and DOF..

[Satish Ranadive]

Beautiful image.Very nice action captured.Lovely colors,details and composition.

Regards,
Satish.