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Thread: Surfing on a Snail Kite

  1. #1
    Lifetime Member Jim Neiger's Avatar
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    Default Surfing on a Snail Kite

    A couple of weeks ago I observed an RWBB that would actualy ride on the back of a Snail Kite while attacking it. They frequently mob and attack the kites, but riding on them while doing it was something I had only seen a few times and those were very short in duration. This one lasted for quite a long flight.

    I ended up with a series of 14 images with the RWBB continuously riding on the back of a male Snail Kite. The image below is the 6th one in the series of 14. There are links to the other 13 images if you would like to see the whole sequence.

    Name:  SR6.jpg
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    Osceola County, FL - 1D Mark IV, 500mm+1.4xTC, hand held from boat, manual exposure, F6.3, 1/2000, ISO 800

    http://www.flightschoolphotography.com/POST/SR1.jpg
    http://www.flightschoolphotography.com/POST/SR2.jpg
    http://www.flightschoolphotography.com/POST/SR3.jpg
    http://www.flightschoolphotography.com/POST/SR4.jpg
    http://www.flightschoolphotography.com/POST/SR5.jpg
    http://www.flightschoolphotography.com/POST/SR7.jpg
    http://www.flightschoolphotography.com/POST/SR8.jpg
    http://www.flightschoolphotography.com/POST/SR9.jpg
    http://www.flightschoolphotography.com/POST/SR10.jpg
    http://www.flightschoolphotography.com/POST/SR11.jpg
    http://www.flightschoolphotography.com/POST/SR12.jpg
    http://www.flightschoolphotography.com/POST/SR13.jpg
    http://www.flightschoolphotography.com/POST/SR14.jpg
    Last edited by Doug Brown; 05-14-2011 at 08:02 PM. Reason: Fixed broken links
    Jim Neiger - Kissimmee, Florida

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    Lifetime Member Doug Brown's Avatar
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    You couldn't ask for a more 'tubular' pose from the RWBB! As an added bonus, the Snail Kite has a snail in its bill. Incredible image Jim! I might crop a little off the bottom.
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    Lifetime Member Jim Neiger's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Doug Brown View Post
    You couldn't ask for a more 'tubular' pose from the RWBB! As an added bonus, the Snail Kite has a snail in its bill. Incredible image Jim! I might crop a little off the bottom.
    Thanks Doug. I forgot to mention that the kite had a piece of a snail he was returning to his nest with food for the kids. That was one of the reasons the RWBB was so aggressive. The RWBBs nest nearby and basically attack all other birds even other RWBBs.
    Jim Neiger - Kissimmee, Florida

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    That's amazing.

    I took a sequence awhile back where a red-tailed hawk just ducked but had a look like, "are you crazy?!" as the BBs attacked it in the tree.

    Have you ever seen a hawk or kite respond/fight the RWBBs?

  5. #5
    Lifetime Member Jim Neiger's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Allen Hirsch View Post
    That's amazing.

    I took a sequence awhile back where a red-tailed hawk just ducked but had a look like, "are you crazy?!" as the BBs attacked it in the tree.

    Have you ever seen a hawk or kite respond/fight the RWBBs?
    Yes - I have a few photos of that behavior too.
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    Super Moderator arash_hazeghi's Avatar
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    The image speaks for itself Jim...no need to add any comments.

    Thanks a lot for hosting us, I really enjoyed shooting with you.

    BTW, the links to other images seem to be broken.
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    BPN Member dankearl's Avatar
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    I think the image of the year competition just ended.
    Spectacular.

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    This is wildly good. What a series. Congrats, Jim!

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    Lifetime Member Jim Neiger's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by arash_hazeghi View Post
    The image speaks for itself Jim...no need to add any comments.

    Thanks a lot for hosting us, I really enjoyed shooting with you.

    BTW, the links to other images seem to be broken.
    That's strange they work ok for me. Others seem to be able to see them as well.
    Jim Neiger - Kissimmee, Florida

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    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Neiger View Post
    That's strange they work ok for me. Others seem to be able to see them as well.
    Last link didn't work for me, the others I tried did work.

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    Lifetime Member gail bisson's Avatar
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    Jim,
    This is an amazing series! Both birds are tack sharp and the snail in the mouth just makes an amazing picture even more amazing.
    You even got detail in the black wings.
    I love it. Congrats !
    gail

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    This is simply wonderful Jim. The riding pose of the RWBB is superb.

    One of these days if I ever hit the lottery, I will go out on this wonderful lake with you!

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    Amazing capture.... Just an incredible behavioral shot.

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    Wonderful image Jim, never seen them actually ride on the other bird before.
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    This is such a wonderfully enjoyable series of crazy actions. I love how the expression of the snail kite kept changing in different frames. But he somehow managed never let go of the food. Thank you Jim! Super amazing!

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    Not really much that one can say apart from you were in the right place at the right time, and have pulled off an incredible image. Congrats.

  17. #17
    Tommy Rodgers
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    OK Jim, you promised you would stop training the birds. Fantastic flight photography. Your one of the few who could capture that image. Thanks very much for sharing.

    Best personal regards,

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    Simply brilliant. The series is nothing but a masterclass in BIF.

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    This is the coolest series I've seen in a LONG time!! I love how towards the end the RWBB is just sitting on the kite enjoying the ride.
    It's going to be hard work feeding the young kites!

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    Fantastic series. Can't figure out what the RWBB is doing in #11, looks like it buried its face in the neck feathers of the kite...wonder why?

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    Thats a cool shot Jim Bhai, loved the surfer like pose of the riding bird.. loved it

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