10,000 post and a Birthday wish

[Fabs Forns]

Finally made it the 10k :D
I chose this image because of the satisfaction it gave me. I was invited to the Swallow-tailed Kite's nest, on private property, after the chick was out of the egg, like a week after to be precise. I didn't see any of the nest building or mating, just the chick growing and feeding, very exciting, by the way. Far from home, I went as often as I could and got to be on first name basis with the family of three :p:cool:
On my birthday, back in June, Al and I went over to spend the morning with them and guess what, I had mating (twice) and a pass with moss, the only one they did after the chick hatched. You should have heard me singing happy birthday to me while they mated. First, I didn't understand the behavior, but Jay Paredes, who like to do a lot of research, explained that they mate for life and that post-hatching copulation was for bonding purposes.

Anyway, enjoy, part of my Birthday present from the Kite family!

Model: NIKON D3
Lens (mm): 700
ISO: 500
Aperture: 7.1
Shutter: 1/1600
Exp. Comp.: +1.3
Program: Manual

[Daniel Cadieux]

Excellent story, and with such opportunities and can see why you were so happy with this. Interesting tidbit about post-hatching copulation. Congrats on 10K, and thanks for everything you have brought to us at BPN!!

[Rob Miner]

I have enjoyed your posts and appreciate all of those ideas. Your instructional comments are of considerable help to a newby.

Thank You, Rob............

[Bill Foxworthy]

A lovely image Fabs and a beautiful story. Congrats on the 10K milestone.

[Randy Stout]

Fabs:

Congrats on 10K, and thanks for all your contributions. Fun story about your birthday 'present'.

Some images go beyond the obvious, and hold special meaning for the photographer. This one will always bring a smile and happy memories, can't ask for much more than that :)

Randy

[Kathy Reeves]

Stunning image! Congratulations on your 10K!

[stuart wanuck]

congrats fabs i want to be just like you when i grow up dr stu

[denise ippolito]

Fabs, Fantastic image and story to celebrate your milestone. All the hard work and caring that you put into BPN and all of the thoughtful, helpful posts and critiques that you give do not go unnoticed by anyone. So happy for you and I would have been singing Happy Birthday too!!!:)

[Gus Cobos]

Congratulations on the BIG TEN Miss Fabs...your image and capture is superb as always...:):cool:

[Grace Scalzo]

Now that's impressive, Fabs, 10,000, AND this image! Thanks so much for all you do.

[Joe Senzatimore]

A wonderful image by someone who works hard at what she does. Congrats. and thanks for being a part of this great site.

[Arthur Morris]

Love the downstroke and the moss. Congrats on 10K and a belated happy Bird-day.

[Tony Whitehead]

Congrats, Fabs. You're a legend. Great story about a special moment. Image not half bad either.

[LouBuonomo]

Happy 10K and Birthday Fabs !! Hope to see you soon...
Lou

[Doug Brown]

Best wishes for a happy birthday, and congrats on your 10,000th post Fabs!

[Mike Milicia]

Belated Happy Birthday and 10,000 thanks for your well appreciated contributions to the site!

[Stu Bowie]

Congrats on your milestone Fabs. Thanks for the story, and thanks for passing on all your knowledgable tips to us all.

[Tell Dickinson]

Belated happy Birthday Fabs :) Like the wing positions very much.

Tell

[Kiran Poonacha]

great thought, my best wishes too to the new family. And a big congratulations on the milestone. thanks for guilding us with your encouragment and guidence.

best wishes for more to come..

[Bill Jobes]

That's a great story and a fantastic photograph, Fabs!

[Ajit Huilgol]

Congrats on the 10k mark, and a belated happy birthday! Looking forward to the next 10K!

[Hendri Venter]

Congrats on this milestone Fabs. Long way for me to go. I started of with one today.:eek: For the image, I like the wing position and the building material a nice bonus. Thanks for sharing the story behind the scenes.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Congratulations on the milestone, it must have been great to follow the progress of their nesting efforts.

[David Fletcher]

Congrats on your milestone Fabs... Great way to spend your birthday too...

[Phil Ertel]

Congratulations on reaching 10,000. I certainly have appreciated your critiques and images. I know they have help me become a better photographer. Oh, I love the wing posting and nesting material.

[James Shadle]

Congrats on the capture and 10000th post.
You hit 30 next year -right?

DD

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hey Fabs,
Very big congrats on the 10,000th...WOW!!!....great post to celebrate with too! Glad to see you feeling better and here's to the next 10,000 and more!!! cheers!

[Raymond Barlow]

congrats on 10k, that is a lot of awesome advice dished out by one of the best in the US., thanks for everything Fabs., and sweet image!

[Chris van Rooyen]

Congrats on achieving this milepost! And thanks for all the good advice we get from you as well:-) Sweet image and great story...

[Matthew Studebaker]

Beautiful image Fabs! I always love your kite images and this is no exception. The moss in the mouth certainly makes it unique and I love the way the pose creates graceful curves through the composition. Congrats!

[Juan Aragonés]

Cumpleaños feliz aunque con retraso, querida amiga! 10.000 posts is a serious number for sure but I think that this number does not pays justice to the massive amount of good advice, suggestions, teaching and friendship that you have been sharing with us. Thank you so much
You are an excellent photographer and such a great person that even the kites decide to give you a birthday present :-)

Terrific image to celebrate your 10K post

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Huge congrats Fabs! :) And happy belated Birthday! I remember you told me there was a special image you were saving for your 10,000th post and this is just perfect for the celebration of this occasion. Thanks for all your help and support via this exceptional forum. You do great work! :) Congratulations again! :)