Snail Kite

[Ken Lassman]

Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee NWR, Boynton Beach, FL

Those of us living in South Florida are extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to photograph this highly specialized endangered raptor. Hopefully, with the conservation programs protecting the Everglades, there will be an annual increase of their numbers.
I would have liked to have had more area around the image but he was right on top of me and with the fixed lense I was lucky to get the shot.....they do move quickly

Nikon D300
Nikon 300/2.8 VR lense
ISO 400
F/5 @ 1/1600
Manual
Hand Held

[Steve Canuel]

Nice wing and head angle. Subject looks a bit soft. Might also crop a bit off a bit of the sky behind the bird.

[Dominic Cantin]

Nice wing and head angle. Subject looks a bit soft. Might also crop a bit off a bit of the sky behind the bird.

+1 :D

In fact , more space infront and less behind the bird.

Dom :)

[Arthur Morris]

Nice pose and a great bird of course. The very dark shadows, the merge of the bill tip with the wing, the missing (or out of place) tail feather, and the harsh light are all problematic. And yes to more room in front. There are some artifacts in the BKGR.

[Judd Patterson]

Hey Ken, it's unfortunate that recent Florida survey of the Snail Kite have seen rather drastic declines...this bird seems to be heading the wrong way! Lovely pose, but I do agree that the harsh shadows here don't help. I think you did very well balancing the exposure between the black and white...just wish he had banked a little harder and lit up the back-wing!