White-tailed Kites

[Kerry Perkins]

From the Cornell Lab of Ornithology web site:

"While hunting, the White-tailed Kite characteristically hovers up to 80 feet off the ground and then drops straight down onto prey items. This ability to hold a stationary position in midair without flapping is accomplished by facing into the wind, and is so characteristic of these birds that it has come to be called kiting. White-tailed Kites also perform ritualized courtship displays in which a male offers prey to a female prior to egg laying. In an often spectacular aerial exchange, the female flies up to meet the male, turns upside-down, and grasps the prey."

IQ is not the greatest as I don't have the big glass, but...

50D, EF400mm f/5.6L
Manual mode, f/5.6@1/3200 ISO 400 WB 5100K
AI Servo autofocus, hand-held no flash

[Cathy McEntee]

What a great action shot! Image looks pretty sharp on my IPad.

[Ravi Hirekatur]

Hi Kerry,

Great action photo. I like the triangular composition, which makes the image spectacular. Agree with you on IQ, but what a rare opportunity to capture such a behavior!

[Andrew Merwin]

Kerry, I really like the interaction here & the mouse puts it in a class by itself. Regardless of your opinion of the IQ, the image tells a story & I like images that tell stories. Very well captured.

[Steve Uffman]

now that is a cool shot, really like the way the mouse is grabbing the two kites in thin air and dragging them to the ground! Just thinking out of the box.....

I think this are amazing birds and their eyes are most unusual.....I have been able to catch singles but never with prey and never with two battling....Like Andrew, I most like images that tell the story and this one does

Great job but that is always expected of you!

[Michael Gerald-Yamasaki]

Kerry,

Greetings. Great action shot & composition! Forget the IQ go straight to OOTB processing Good show!

Cheers,

-Michael-

[Kerry Perkins]

Thanks for your comments, I appreciate them! This is a cooperative situation and not a combative one. The male has captured the vole and presents it to the female for her to take back to the nest. It is quite a thing to see!

[Steve Uffman]

Kerry, cooperative? male and female cooperating makes it even more dramatic..need to read up on these ..really great shot and thanks for filling in the gaps