Sundays White-tailed Kite!

[Dan Brown]

I hope you all aren't getting fed up with these Kites! PP'ed and cropped in ACR and CS3, selectively sharpened with Nik Sharpener Pro.

Camera Model: NIKON D300
Shutter speed: 1/1250 sec
Aperture: 5.6
Exposure mode: Manual
Flash: Off
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 400
Lens: VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D
Focal length: 400mm
VR Image Stabilization: On
AF mode: AF-C

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Fabulous pose though arguably a little centered. I do like it. Perhaps the foliage under and right could be cloned? Another round of sharpening is needed in my humble opinion. WHat species is this exactly? I believe it is definitely and Elanid kite. Looks so much like the Aussie Elanus axillaris or Black-shouldered Kite.

[Fabs Forns]

Much better than the last one, Dan, sweet light. It would make a great vertical and no we don't get tired of such great bird ;)

[Kobus Tollig]

Great light well exposed. I feel its a bit central. Great pose. Ditto sharpening.
It looks like a Black Shoulderd Kite. We get them here in SA 2

[Dan Brown]

WHat species is this exactly? I believe it is definitely and Elanid kite. Looks so much like the Aussie Elanus axillaris or Black-shouldered Kite.

Thanks all for the kind comments and constructive critiques. Akos, this is as the title reads, a White-tailed Kite, Elanus leucurus. This species and the South African species were once considered the same, but about 15 years ago, they were split by the powers that be in the ornith world. I don't know if you have the same sp. as the one in SA, but I believe the SA birds are commonly called Black-shouldered Kite also.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Great light and I also like the dangling feet. I would go for a vertical crop and sharpen the bird more.

[Doug Brown]

All of these awesome kite photos are making me want to fly out to California for a quick visit! Another vote for a vertical crop.

[Stu Bowie]

Well exposed, and definately looks like our black shouldered kite.

[Kim Rollins]

Dan -

Very nice capture here. I had to be wonderful to get this one.

Exposure and color good.


You might try clipping just a couple of points from the light side in levels. Some crop as others have suggested might be something to consider.
If any sharpening is added I would caution to be selective and careful as from sitting here and on this monitor the image is near 'Right On'. ;-)