Snail Kite ENP

[Alfred Forns]

We still have three birds returning to roost at Anhinga Trail ENP. They have been consistent returning half hour before sunset. If you you are luck they will take a lap a few minutes after landing. Our biggest problem is wind direction which is normally from the east at that time.

Comments welcome and much appreciated

Canon 1DMk3
500 f4.0 IS 1.4X
f 5.6 1/640 sec
ISO 1000
Manual Exp +1 2/3 off sky

[Randy Stout]

Alfred:

Nice dorsal display, esp. the tail. Exposure good, with nice look back head angle.

My only wish would be to have the head and eye a bit lighter.

Thanks for sharing.

Randy

[Ilija Dukovski]

I like the feather detail on this one.
The pose is unusual for a photo
but worked out very well.

Cheers, Ilija

[James Shadle]

Al,
I fought the wind direction in the afternoon all week!
When the wind is out of the "wrong direction" I work on photographing birds as they bank into the wind to land.
Nicely executed photograph of this banking Snail Kite.
Outstanding eye contact, feather detail and exposure.

Chicken salad out of chicken you know what!

James

[Fabs Forns]

Wonderful banking pose of an elusive bird to say the least.
all we need is a good wind evening, because they are quite consistent coming in.

Very well done.

[Stu Bowie]

I like the angle of flight in this, showing lovely detail from the top. Lovely head turn too. I would maybe move him to the right a bit in the frame, or consider a portrait comp. Still an outstanding image Alfred.

[Dan Walker]

Great banking pose and eye contact. Exposure right on. looks like you are enjoying your return to canon

[Nancy A Elwood]

Al, I am very jealous!! I have still to get any image of this species and this example is just lovely!! I love banking images showing all the nice textures, plus you got the fan tail and the wonderful eye contact.

[John Blumenkamp]

Cool banking and top wing capture Al! I might experiment with more of a vertical crop if it were mine. Congrats!

[Arthur Morris]

Spectacular top shot and the head, eye and face look pretty good with the calibration strip looking good. Not bad for a camera that does not focus. With all of the 1D MIII bodies that I have had I would often work between +2 and +3 off the white skies... Hope to see you WED.

[Brandon Holden]

Topside spread and the look are both superb! I agree you could play around with the crop more though! (just because?) I'd be tempted to add more negative space! Either below, or left!

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Excellent wingspread and details Al. No nits from me at all. :)

[Karl Egressy]

Love the topside wing, head turn and details.
The bg colour looks the same as the rest of the page on my monitor.