Spent 1/2 half hour trying to get close enopugh to shoot a pair of these sitting on top of a short tree. Just when close enough this one flew off. Fiddlesticks!! But then fortunately it flew back to his partner in the tree after just a few minutes, providing this opportunity. I suspect it already had the vole when it flew off or he is one very fast/good hunter.
Low morning light
Nikon d200 600mm 1.4 TC
F 5.6 1/1600
Aperture priority 0 EV
ISO 320 Matrix meter
I wonder about the shadow on the far wing. I have a few other images with the wings in the more conventional postion, but interrested in thoughts about this pose. Does the lack of contrast between the bottom edge of the wing/ tail and the BKGR detract? Catchlight is natural. Too bad HA not a little toward camera. Does it need to be a little brighter?
Hi Ray It is a mighty fine catch !!!! About all I could wish for was a better light angle, sure would help out get rid of the shadow !!! If I'm able to move about I do keep it in mind while approaching the birds !!
The techs look good, low light helped you with the meter at 0 - nice one. Assume histogram has strong bias towards right.
Since composition is all about feel anyway, like Al say's,..I am alright with this pose and the face shadow against the wing b/c its so well defined. Usually I am not, but like this one and the eye and HA are fine IMO.
Ray: Great capture of a handsome bird. Light is great, as is HA and eye contact. Shadow has been mentioned -- on one hand it is distracting, but it does help separate the head from the wing. Nicely done!
White tailed kite
