Red Kites in wales

[marlunn]

Nowhere near as good as others here who do Birds in flight, but I had a day off and decided to visit a Red Kite feeding station in Wales - Brecon Beacons for a day as the weather was cold but sunny. My first attempt at this and boy did they move fast when food was dispersed, these are not the images I really wanted - the last is close but no coconut - more practice and maybe save up for a bigger - faster lens - but only after more practice, its really that I need more practice but hey any excuse for another lens

Apologies for the changing sky - more standardisation on PP needed as well - but my excuse is they were in different areas of the sky in relation to the sun so it did cause some changed colour saturation etc.

Comments welcome

#1 getting crowded


#2 looking at you


#3 Still looking at you


#4 I want it


#5 and its mine

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[NorthernFocus]

Those are cool looking birds. I'd say that you did quite well. Nos. 2, 3, and 4 are really good. Odd choice of crop in no.3. It looks like your WB is all over the place. Which is normal for the camera to do with varying content and if they are shot at different angles to the sun. But when viewed together in a series like this it really shows.

If you are interested in shooting BIF, I always recommend finding a place frequented by gulls. They are plentiful and usually not too herky jerky so good practice tracking them.

[JohnRostron]

A great series. I would say that #5 has lots going against it (peculiar poses, no heads), but it is still my favourite!

John

[marlunn]

Cheers John, appreciated

Thanks Dan, yep the processing needs more attention to balance it better - not beyond the realms of man to do so with a little help from PS - its a place I will revisit - they are cracking birds and to see good numbers of them is awesome, they were nearly wiped out not so long ago - the site gets up to 60 or more overhead at feeding time coming in to scavange the food so lots of practice opportunities.

This is the best of my attempts at getting the shot as they came in to grab it off the ground - (full frame) trouble was focus point at high speed - they really move when coming in to grab the food !

[marlunn]

Thanks John ( R ) thats the one I was really after but from the front heads in etc - but they were all squabbling flying away !

[madcrow]

Don't know what you are complaining about, they are sharp, detailed and a joy to look at. Thanks for sharing.

[marlunn]

Thanks Maurice, I guess its I had a image in mind to get and failed to get it - I suspect the old adage - ' get over it' comes to mind and I will go back and try again - when I get the image I imagined I will post it and say 'Thats what I wanted !'

[GBO25]

Great series. Love the action and eye contact.
I agree with Dan re the crop in #3. Maybe crop down and in from the top left until the main character's eye is roughly on the upper left 1/3rd point.
Such magnificent birds.

[Wavelength]

Superb images; enjoyed watching them

[rpcrowe]

I think these are really nice captures.. You mentioned the possibility of getting another lens sometime in the future. What camera and lens did you use to capture these neat shots?

[lovelife65]

Love these! #2 is my favorite, the expression and wing splay is fantastic. I'm still looking for more birds out here, I know they are out there we hear them talking to us when in the forest hiking.

[marlunn]

Thanks Graham, its one to play with certainly,
Thank you nandakumar, appreciated
Cheers Richard, its a Nikon D7100 and a Tamron 70-300 - so a crop body giving more 'reach' but I really would like a long fixed focal to maximise the quality and open up the f range a bit at the long end. This day was nice but most days at this time of year in Wales are a bit grey !
Thank you Sharon, appreciated