It was bright and sunny this morning with a very strong cold east wind blowing. I went to the local landfill as I know there are at least 20 red kites roosting near there. There were hundreds of seagulls all swooping in the wind although i was determined not to take a shot of a gull today. Suddenly a red kite swooped over the hedge right above me and went round and round above me. I took 60 shots of him - it was fabulous - he seemed to be dancing in the air just for me!! I had a hard time choosing which shot to use!! It really is exciting to see such a large bird at such close quarters!! Magic day for me!! I haven't been able to take much wildlife since having Finlay as he tends to deter the birds and the animals. I left him at home today!!
4th April - I have just spotted this on the PP!! Yippee!! This is my favourite shot for a long time and I am so pleased you all liked it!! Thank you so much for all your wonderful comments and Favs which got it on the PP!! Dancing round the room now!! LOL!!
They are stunning birds & its cool to get so close.Where do you live? I saw 2 near Gateshead & i know they had a breeding programme there. A fav for sure x
@redfl@onie@anazad511@yonnie@quietpurplehaze@cjainmd@shelldunn@sjouk Wow Wow Wow what wonderful comments from you all!! Thank you so much!! And thank you also for so many Favs!! I am so pleased you like the shot!! Wildlife photography really is my first love and I have missed going out with my camera in this last year. I think I will be leaving Finlay at home more often. I will have to make it up to him some other way!!
@redfl I live in Wellingborough Northants. The RSPB introduced red kites into the East Midlands a few years ago and they are now really spreading. It has been a very successful breeding programme!!
@jaynspain Many thanks Jayn - as I started taking shots of him he had the sun behind him but luckily he enjoyed swooping round on the wind and the sun lit him up!!
Oh wow wow wow! Amazing,,, I've wanted to get one of these for so long but don't think I'll hanker any longer as this is so beyond what I ever expected to hope to get. Instant amazing Fav!
@nancyperry@filsie65@phillchilton@carolmw Thank you all so much for your wonderful comments!! I am really touched by the response I have got to this shot!! @filsie65 Phil don't give up - if you have the right lens you will get the shot!! This was taken handheld using my Canon 100-400mm lens which is my favourite!! Its a bit heavy but the quality and results I have got with my wildlife shots makes it well worth carrying round!!
Thank you all for the favs too - you are very kind!!
It must be fantastic to have such a wonderful bird dancing just for you, I suppose I'd forget I had my camera with me :)
However, you didn't waste you time :) Wonderful shot!
@sailingmusic thank you so much Myrna especially for the Fav! Yes I was thrilled about my blue pot on PP! I just don't understand how it works - the blue pot got 5 favs and this red kite has 16 favs but is not on PP? Best not to wonder I suppose. In the end its the fab supporting comments that I have got today that really makes it worth while!
@bulldog Thanks Bulldog really appreciate that!! Yes I often see them come over the house but by the time I get the camera out they have drifted off. There are a few places in Northants where I know the Kites are roosting and you can normally get decent shots of them. I just love to see them flying!!
WOW! I have been trying to take a good shot of this bird since Jan 1st (maybe not this specific bird, but....) They fly around outside my window, but I haven't managed to get a decent one, let alone one as amazing as this! Well done!
@shweetheart Thank you so much Helen. What camera and lens are you using to get your shots? I have a Canon 5D mark11 which only has 3 fps (I would love the 7D which has loads of fps and much better for wildlife!) I was using my Canon 100-400mm IS lens and the quality is fabulous with this lens.
@redfl I live in Wellingborough Northants. The RSPB introduced red kites into the East Midlands a few years ago and they are now really spreading. It has been a very successful breeding programme!!
@filsie65 Phil don't give up - if you have the right lens you will get the shot!! This was taken handheld using my Canon 100-400mm lens which is my favourite!! Its a bit heavy but the quality and results I have got with my wildlife shots makes it well worth carrying round!!
Thank you all for the favs too - you are very kind!!
However, you didn't waste you time :) Wonderful shot!
I have never managed to get on this close though.
Big Fav :-)