Went to the wetlands today, just for a change
I was sitting in one of the hides and watched a black kite go down and grab a mouse on the other side of the swamp. I watched where he went and no surprise he went to the tree near the dead one.
Not sure why but he likes to eat there, he stays hidden in the branches.
Anyway i went over there but when i arrived he had gone, i looked around and there he was hovering again looking for more, so i layed down on the grass under the tree to see if he would come back.
I didn't have to wait long and here he came (he sure is a good hunter)
Black-Shouldered Kite-6164 by rawshorty, on Flickr">[/url] Black-Shouldered Kite-6164 by rawshorty, on Flickr
.
.
Black-Shouldered Kite-6163 by rawshorty, on Flickr">Black-Shouldered Kite-6163 by rawshorty, on Flickr
.
.
Black-Shouldered Kite-6165 by rawshorty, on Flickr">[/url] Black-Shouldered Kite-6165 by rawshorty, on Flickr
Stunning photos as ever, Shorty.
There's a Black Shouldered Kite that lives around my area, but I don't see him that often, and usually only right on dusk.
O man, I can only dream of photos like that. Beautiful
I also wish I could lay down in the grass, I would never be able to get up again
, ah well, I was young once
M-L
Thanks, Dave. You will find it has a favorite tree to eat in, just need to find it.
.
Thanks, M-L. I was glad to lay down as my gout is giving me a hard time and walking is painfull
I spent the morning driving in the country taking photos from the car (not these ones)
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Wonderful.
Dusk is when black-shouldered kites are most likely to be up & about hunting, windshear. It's roughly when I have dinner, too, but I wouldn't want people taking any photos of that.
True enough. I was merely bemoaning the light conditions for photography.
Shorty - ahh.. Hmm. Interesting. Will have to keep my eyes open for that. I've noticed him sitting in a big old gum tree quite often. It's in a particularly bad spot though. Probably why he likes it. :D
Thanks, Sacrednavel.
Woko, the BS Kites here hunt and eat all day with short rests in between.
Dave, maybe look for another one. They seem to be anywere there are open spaces.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Just spectacular Shorty! Do you have a favoured AV & SS for BIF's? I struggle shooting against sky, perhaps I use the wrong metering mode?
West Coast Tasmania
Thanks very much, Ruby. I shoot with AV wide open and auto ISO, if the sky is bright and the bird is not lit well i set the exposure to 1 and 2/3 over. But i don't always get time to do this
so sometimes i have to fix in lightroom. Sometimes it is just luck to get it right
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Thanks for that Shorty. I'm determined to get out there and practice my BIF shots! I've generally set my camera to 1/1200th or thereabouts, mostly for the little birds in flight, and without any success I might add
but I do need to practice my panning shots (handheld) & up the speed a little too I think. What metering mode (against sky specifically) do you prefer - and what minimum shutter speed do you find is a good start? Sorry, I've hijacked your thread & turned it into a tech advice 
West Coast Tasmania
Sorry, Ruby. I had it in my head but did not type it
I use spot metering.
Shutter speed does not matter if you can pan well.
If you have a child or some one willing get them to run down the street for practice
Use this thread for any info you want, i don't mind.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/