Black-shouldered Kite

[Greg Oakley]

A common small raptor across the whole Australian continent.
They hunt by hovering stationary with rapid wing beats over one position, then move to a new spot after a few minutes.
Thanks for looking, Greg.

D800, 300 2.8, 1.7TC, f4.8, 1/5000, ISO450.

[Frank Schauf]

Excellent incoming pose and sharp details.

[Joe Senzatimore]

Great look at both the talons and that magnificent eye.

[Karl Egressy]

Great head turn and eye contact, Greg. The hanging down talons are good features as well.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Greg, well timed to capture the full wingspread, together with the head turn to show up their lovely red eyes. The splayed talons puts this up a few notches.

Our black shouldered kites look the same.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I like the spread talons, hovering pose, gradient BG. Good techs too. Not sold on the comp though...perhaps a pano crop would work by trimming some off the bottom.

[David Salem]

Great looking pose and looks sharp and well exposed. I agree about the comp, some off the bottom to create more of a pano would look nice. Love that red eye. Nice work on this one.

[Loi Nguyen]

One more vote for more pano crop. Very nice pose, love the extended talons and the red eye, good head angle, exposure. Loi

[Greg Oakley]

Thanks guys - I tried this as a pano as some of you suggested - much better I think?

Greg

[Girish Prahalad]

great pose, exp & details. prefer the OP in terms of comp.

[Martin Dunn]

another stunning shot Greg.
I prefer the repost as it eliminates empty space.