An unsual prey

[arash_hazeghi]

This is a white tailed kite with a yellow warbler. I don't know if the kite killed the warbler if the warbler was already dead. This image was made when the light was harsh and normally I don't photograph in these conditions but since I had never seen a kite with such prey I photographed it anyway. I raised the shadows in post significantly and the results are great thanks to 1DX high DR sensor. I do wish this had happened a few hours later, but I don't think I will witness anything like this soon.




1DX 840mm f/5.6 1/3200sec ISO 640 handheld.

[vishaljadhav]

Unique find indeed Arash, its this thing that makes us wildlife photographers we see the moment and click
They prey is clearly visible here and thats a highlight of this image, the eye of the kite is perfectly in focus making it interesting

[Loi Nguyen]

Arash, it is quite a unique image indeed. I have not seen a WTK ith anything other than a vole. Despite the hash light, you had the underwing in great details, which must have come from great noise reduction in PP. also you had the eye las well. Having the Kite at eye level was great. I have never seen them at eye level and close. Thanks for sharing.

[arash_hazeghi]

Thanks Loi, I did not actually apply any noise reduction to this image. The 1DX shadow noise is very low.

PS here is an HD file to see the prey upclose

http://ari1982.smugmug.com/Avian/Rap...kWhtF&lb=1&s=O

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

The prey makes this unique Arash, I wouldn't let this opportunity pass by if I was there too! So very well done and TFS this rare capture.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Well done Arash! I believe this is a unique shot and it deserved a try! glad you did. Light is harsh but you did great on post. Thanks for sharing.

[Wayne Richardson]

This is a white tailed kite with a yellow warbler.

Hi Arash

The prey is not a Yellow Warbler, as they have a plain unmarked head at all ages & this clearly has a bold black/yellow pattern. In addition, the white tail feathers are wrong too for that species, so I'd go for a Townsend Warbler given your location.

All birds of prey are opportunistic, so most will take whatever they can overpower, steal or find as carrion. I'm also pretty sure the kite is capable of taking birds, despite being a small mammal specialist. However, any image of it with unusual prey items is certainly interesting & worth having. Thanks for posting.

Cheers: Wayne

[Derek Willcox]

Arash good image like how you captured the little bird in the talons like the over all feel to it another great shot

[mohammad reza shahab]

hi Arash,great pose,BG and very nice moment.

[arash_hazeghi]

thank you for comments and ID correction

[shane shacaluga]

Great moment captured Arash.

Putting my CSI cap on, I would say that as there is blood on the perch, which I assume is the small birds, then it was alive or very recently dead when the kite picked it up

If its a perch where this Kite usually feeds, then my theory is out the window :D

Thanks for sharing