Swallowtail Kite

[Tim Rucci]

As many times as I've wished for it, I had never had the chance to get a decent photo of a swallowtail kite, but as I went outside to pick up the morning paper one day a couple weeks ago, I looked up and saw one circling above my front yard. I ran inside and grabbed a camera and lens thinking it would be gone when I returned. And it was (it was now much higher in the sky). But a second one suddenly appeared and this one was only about 15 feet off the ground right above me. In my haste, I did not capture as crisp a shot as I would have liked, but nonetheless, here is the view from my front yard in north Florida on the morning of June 3rd. I did not use a flash, and wish I would have had time for that, but invariably I would have missed it completely if I had taken time to mount a flash. I fired off a total of 10 shots, and the bird was gone in 16 seconds according to the time in the exif data in the photos.

I love the head angle and wing position in this image, and only wish it was a little sharper. I actually just grabbed the camera and forgot to even check the settings. The manual settings in the camera from the day before just happened to be just right for this exposure (I got lucky). I brightened up the underside a little in photoshop. Anyone who cares to can see 4 additional frames of the same bird here

IMAGE DETAILS: Canon 1D Mk2N, Canon 100-400L IS lens at 260mm, manual mode 1/640 at f8, iso 200 in natural light.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Nice capture and story. :) I wish the light angle were better, does additional sharpening cause artifacts?

[Arthur Morris]

Hi Tim, I can understand your excitement. We have them here at ILE but I have never gotten an image... IAC, the image has lots of serious problems. 1-there are lots of overexposed pixels as presented, surprisingly few in the far underwing which appears super-bright. That area could definitely benefit from a Linear Burn. 2-the uneven lighting on the underparts is a problem. 3-the near primaries are a mess.

In situations like this, the "T" shot, with the bird right over your head, is generally best.

[Tim Rucci]

Thanks Artie, and everyone for all the comments. Wow, Artie, I was surprised to hear you haven't gotten a swallowtail kite photo yet - I'll bet there are few such species left on your 'to do' list.

I knew this image had some flaws but it was the excitement of getting anything at all that probably made me show it. These birds are so graceful and make an amazing sight as they soar in big circlesoverhead. Seeing the two of them was the highlight of my day, photo or not. Hopefully I will get a better opportunity for good photo someday in the future. The challenge is what makes this so much fun.

[DarrenMcKenna]

cool image Tim

http://www.darrenmckenna.com/

[Julie Kenward]

It's a shame your speed wasn't a bit higher but I see why you got so excited. I've got swallows here in Missouri but they never seem to get low enough for me to capture in an image. Keep your eyes open...if it happened once, it can happen again!

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks Artie, and everyone for all the comments. Wow, Artie, I was surprised to hear you haven't gotten a swallowtail kite photo yet - I'll bet there are few such species left on your 'to do' list.

I knew this image had some flaws but it was the excitement of getting anything at all that probably made me show it. These birds are so graceful and make an amazing sight as they soar in big circlesoverhead. Seeing the two of them was the highlight of my day, photo or not. Hopefully I will get a better opportunity for good photo someday in the future. The challenge is what makes this so much fun.

Hey Tim, YAW. I do have a few similar to yours on film.... I too hope to get a good one some day.

[Stu Bowie]

Super pose Tim, and well done on capturing this very fast flyer.

[Alfred Forns]

They are fun and one of the most difficult to capture Birds need light for hunting and more often than not will get them in harsh light !!

I like the pose and direct eye contact !!!