Swallow-tailed Kite

[Alan Murphy]

Swallow-tailed Kite
Central Florida

D810, 300/2.8, 1.4TC, ISO 500, f7.1, 1/3200

One from a couple of weeks ago.

[Lorant Voros]

I got your newsletter and many images like this. This workshop must have been a lot of fun. Nice moment captured here with the wings all the way up; like the talons and the green color of the water. I would enjoy a little head turn towards us. TFS.

[gail bisson]

This is unbelievably good!
Exposure is perfect, tack sharp, great action (indeed something I have never seen photographed before with kite), whites look awesome, blacks look awesome, BG and water are a terrific green that really acts as a wonderful foil against the bird.
You get 10/10 from me on this one Alan!

[keith mitchell]

Think Gail as covered my thoughts perfectly, Alan this is really excellent.

[Karl Egressy]

Nice moment captured with the wings up and the feet showing.
Striking image, Alan.

[WillieHall]

Gail said it all, great timing and selection of this image, probably of several good ones in this burst. thanks

[adrian dancy]

Impressive capture Alan....I might explore a portrait crop.

[arash_hazeghi]

excellent pose and a nice green BG to go with it, I also thick a vertical might work better here

TFS

[christopher galeski]

its all been said Alan,very nice,love the color of the water.TFS.

[Satish Ranadive]

Fantastic image. Spectacular moment captured. Superb exposures in whites, full up wings, beautiful green BG and composition.

Regards,
Satish.

[Russ Norwood]

Hard to beat that one Alan. Unusual behavior (in my experience, at least) superbly captured. A treat for the eye and educational, too.

Can you tell us any more about what the bird was doing and why?

Russ

[Alan Murphy]

Hard to beat that one Alan. Unusual behavior (in my experience, at least) superbly captured. A treat for the eye and educational, too.

Can you tell us any more about what the bird was doing and why?

Russ

Hey Russ,

The Kites come down to the water to both drink and to wash. Here the bird is washing its butt to clean some stained feathers. Thanks.