endangered snail kite

[annmpacheco]

Here is a female snail kite flying off after biting and snapping this section of branch. She is most likely going to utilize it for her nest somewhere. Gail B. and I spent a day on a boat shooting this fascinating species, endangered since 1967 in Florida due to disruption of water flow resulting in both habitat and snail population loss... Notice how full her crop is in this frame. There is quite a bit of snail meat in a large snail and I'm sure she has had a good meal that day!
I was pleased with my focus locking onto the bird(s) as they often were in the midst of branches from small trees and bushes. Most kites were banded but sometimes they had not been tagged.

1Dx
840..
ISO 1000
7.1
1/2500

DPP, levels, sharpening, NR

[John Mack]

Neat story here. The blue and green in the background are quite pleasing.

[Debapratim Saha]

Lovely nesting behaviour captured in natural setting and great light,lovely image.

[Isaac Grant]

Details look great. Background is not ideal but I think it works perfectly in this case as the bird is gathering nesting material. I like the pose and the great eye contact. I would clone out the little stick that is over the wing near the beak. Also the 2 at the edge of the left wing that are touching it from the bottom.

[Dorian Anderson]

Beautifully sharp view of this great bird. Background is a bit busy but seems to work given the behavior.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Ann, the Kite has a real 3D flight pose in this, and in turn, one loses what is going on in the BG. I like the light in this, and well timed for the pre take off. Its always good to capture behavioural shots.

[gail bisson]

Excellent natural history moment captured!
I love the greens and blues in the BG.
Snail kite looks great and you have shown the red eye very well. Nice and sharp.
BG is a bit busy and I would be tempted to do a little bit of pruning ie. the branch touching the end of the left wing and the 3 pronged branch coming out of the top of the frame above the bird..
Gail

[arash_hazeghi]

love the kite, and the nesting material. The busy BG and FG is holding it back. you can clone put at least a couple of those branches

TFS

[Juan Tolentino]

Hi Ann, excellent detail on the kite. I love the sharp red eye. Agree with others about removing some branches. Thank you for sharing.

[Glenn Conlan]

Don't usually like all the BG distractions but this seems to add to the whole theme of the capture showing without words what is happening. You nailed the focus, love this Ann

[David Salem]

Wow, I didn't even notice this one last night Ann. I think the branches in the background on the thumbnail led me to believe it was another person's post.
Actually once opened its actually a pretty cool frame and I love the full crop and the fact that she doesn't have bands. Nice details and exposure too.
Well done