Whistling Kite

[kipper]

Accidently came across this in my collection of files. Previously overlooked via thumbnails as I thought it wasn't that good. Need to really pay more attention.

D70, 70-200VR, 1.7X, SB800, handheld

ISO: 200
Focal: 340MM
Exp: 1/500 @ F5.6
Flash Comp: -1.3EV

[BBJ]

Darryl, This is a great shot, you know using a flash is great doing this and i have never ever gone bird hunting like some do on the forum, but instead with a shotgun many years ago in my shooting days ducks so on.

The name is strange as well, do they whistle? i once got caught a long time ago when they brought out Knickerboxes or was it knickerbockers, some might not remember but i always wondered what they were and well at that stage thought they were Knickers with a box in them.
Anyhow mate this is a great bird pic well done.

[Willy wombat]

Great picture Daryl. How did you miss that!

[psionic]

Great shot from a great lens; I wonder what the bird was thinking when you took aim ?

I gather it was thermalling or gliding somewhere close by ? I've found birds to be challanging targets, the buggers keep moving

Hope you find other thumbnails to share

/M.

[fozzie]

Kipper/Darryl,

Another one of your excellent bird shots.

As you stated, you need to really pay more attention. One way of fixing that problem is to buy the Nikon AF-S 500mm f/4 and all your bird shots will be outstanding, and then we can sit back and enjoy

[Oneputt]

Noy good enough Daryl? That is a top shot. I am going to have to try flash myself.

[kipper]

If you don't use flash already for bird shots, do so. Bird feathers are slightly shiny and have a fair bit of oil in them. When you use the flash it brings out the colors that you normally wouldn't see.

Psion, these Whistling Kites hang around a sewer trunk hunting for rats I believe. Towards the end of the day you'll find about 10 of them perched along a fence line.


Fozzie, yeah I'm looking forward to it

[KerryPierce]

Great shot, Darryl. The flash really does well.

[marcotrov]

Great capture Darryl.
marco

[BBJ]

Hi Darryl, ok mate maybe you can fill some of us dummies in what sort of flash settings etc... you use while out birding, i for 1 would like to know and maybe of interest to others on just waht we should try and do if we get out and have a go at this. Thanks mate.
Cheers
John

[kipper]

Well my flash setup is about to change so I'm going to be learning again.

I pretty much shoot in iTTL not iTTL-BL, although nicole shoots in this mode.
I shoot without the difuser as I want as much reach as possible.
I also use a compensation on the flash of -1.3EV (adjusting occassionally).
If I have time to adjust, I'll try and experiement with a mixture of ambient and flash, by reducing shutter and/or widening of aperture.

My new setup once I get the lens, will be a Better Beamer, off camera flash bracket (eg. Wimberley Combo #5) and an SC-28 flash cord.

[Manta]

Wow. Awesome shot Darryl.

Thanks for sharing all your advice regarding the use of flash too; it's really helpful to those of us who aspire to these 'heights' in our photography. Now if only I could get the avians to co-operate...

[kipper]

Btw, something I noticed about the Bird show at Toronga Zoo was that it was almost impossible to get a decent shot of these birds performing tricks. The area that they performed them in was very tight. And the moment they were performing the tricks was very unpredictable. I wouldn't advise taking many shots there, as you'll walk away with not many keepers. I have a few that I haven't posted yet but nothing that I'd say wow about.

I'd like to try out Krial Castle at Ballarat, but I think it'd be good to try and organise a small group for a special show or something.

[mudder]

Wow, this is terrific! Amazing detail... PS. I've still got your CPL and end cap... Can I catch up with you tomorrow (Sunday) night?

[kipper]

Tah, Andrew. Where at?

[mudder]

Where-ever's convenient for you matey... Out your way's no wuz.... Use PM rather than bugger up your thread