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Lifetime Member
Leucistic Red Kite
Apologies for not being very active recently, same issues as everyone else getting out and about. Hopefully a few more to come soon.
I took a trip to Gigrin farm to see my old Red Kite mates, and they put on a great show as ever. However, after things settled down I hung around on my own for a while, hoping to get a decent frame of the 2 buzzards circling around. Instead, I was treated to the shy Leucistic bird that usually gets bullied by the regular kites, so usually only ever comes close after the feeding. I think its a beautifully coloured bird, hope you agree. A little extra canvas added to the top and a slight wing tip repair
Nikon D5
600mm f4 + 1.4x
ISO 1250
1/2500th f5.6
Mike
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Welcome back, Mike. Beautiful flight capture with nice wing position. Like the intense look. Great background.
Geoffrey
http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu
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Post a Thank You. - 1 Thanks
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Beautiful capture. I love the eyes and dark background works very well
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Avian Moderator
Good to see ya again Mike. And a wonderful capture for your return :-)
Light looks pretty high up although fairly even, which helps. I know you added canvas but a touch more at top wouldn't hurt IMO.
You were correct, a very beautiful bird and lots of details too.
Look forward to more.
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Macro and Flora Moderator
Super shot Mike - love the colours. The exposure is spot on, DOF optimal, good plumage details.
Were at the ground level or in the aerial hide?
I intend to go to Gigrin - just wondering how long have I got before they start going tatty - is there time left or should I wait until March/April 2021?
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Lifetime Member
Originally Posted by
Jonathan Ashton
Super shot Mike - love the colours. The exposure is spot on, DOF optimal, good plumage details.
Were at the ground level or in the aerial hide?
I intend to go to Gigrin - just wondering how long have I got before they start going tatty - is there time left or should I wait until March/April 2021?
Cheers Jon, just had to get out for some guaranteed subjects!
There was a mix of birds conditions, some were pristine but a fair few caught my eye looking quite rough. You know yourself, with the speed of action there you can't always spot the best ones and it can be pot luck if your best shot is of a nice bird or not!
I used the tower hide this time. I've only been twice since the specialist lower one was installed. First time there was no-one in it so no food was left near it and I thought it would be a waste of money. This time there was a photographer in there and they dropped some meat there and they came in really close. They were coming in at a poor angle for the lower hide though, possibly due to the wind direction. Might be worth checking the wind forecast before booking the low hide. I saw enough though to think it has really good possibilities in the right conditions.
I still reckon if you go in the next week or 2 there will be plenty of pristine birds around.
Mike
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BPN Member
What a find. Really a great looking Kite. and how fortunate you got such a close fly by. The image is beautifully exposed. I hope you have another to post soon
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Very nice. The birds stands out nicely against that dark background. Nice pose as well. Neat find.