E-M1X Terrific Red Kite Images

[Olybirder]

Somebody on DPReview has just posted some superb Red Kite images, taken with the E-M1X at a feeding station in Wales. Here is the link:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/62586972

He has included many of the camera settings and I am interested to see that he used 1/4000 sec exposure, which is considerably faster than I ever use. He also uses manual exposure, metering from grass in front of him. I can see that this works if you are in a fixed position in a hide but is less useful if you are standing in the open and turning round all the time or if the light is continually changing. Nevertheless I might give it a go sometime.

It is great that there are finally some really good E-M1X images starting to appear, taken by actual owners of the camera.

Ron

[Phill D]

Re: E-M1X Terrific Red Kite Images

I agree they really are great shots. Well spotted Ron I don't very often go to DPR to have a look these days.

[Wreckdiver]

Re: E-M1X Terrific Red Kite Images

They are absolutely stunning images

Steve

[Internaut]

Re: E-M1X Terrific Red Kite Images

I still do visit DPR, so I gave him an upvote and let him know in a reply that I loved the images.

Dual (or more) system users performing at this level are, IMHO, the most valuable voices in Oly’s corner.

[Bruce Clarke]

Re: E-M1X Terrific Red Kite Images

Thanks, proper job! Very nicely processed too. I live near the Chilterns where they were re-introduced from Wales and are now thriving and spreading fast. They can soar on nothing, which is a joy to watch, but frustrating for a sometime paraglider pilot. It's a huge privilege to share the air with them, when they treat you as one of the gang. The Chilterns are a great place to photograph them, but hard to beat the numbers at feeding time at Rhyader.

[Mdb2]

[Jim Ford]

Re: E-M1X Terrific Red Kite Images

Very nice to see some real life photos from the em1x. I visited Gigrin some years ago with my 7dmk1 and siggy 150-500 got some lovely shots.

Red kites haven't spread significantly into Hampshire yet, have they Mark, in spite of the New Forest for nesting sites. Seems to be much the same for Kent.

Jim

[Bruce Clarke]

Re: E-M1X Terrific Red Kite Images

Red kites haven't spread significantly into Hampshire yet, have they Mark, in spite of the New Forest for nesting sites. Seems to be much the same for Kent.

Jim

It would be interesting to know more about what territory red kites prefer. My family live in Milford on Sea, and I'm surprised not to see more red kites in the New Forest when I visit. There must be plenty of carrion and small critters as well as nesting sites. I suspect they like rolling hills like the Chilterns, where there's always a slope facing into wind so they soar effortlessly searching for snacks. This is probably more productive for them than circling up in thermals which they excel at, but rapidly get too high. Cruising along in ridge lift keeps them fairly low with minimal effort at the perfect height for spotting the next meal. There are hills in the New Forest, which is where they would prefer I'm guessing.

[JohnGG]

Re: E-M1X Terrific Red Kite Images

I used to travel up the A1 quite frequently when my daughter was at Leeds Uni and I often saw red kites near Stilton south of Peterborough. Somewhat flatter country than the Chilterns but something there must suit them.

Cheers,

JohnGG

[MJ224]

Re: E-M1X Terrific Red Kite Images

It would be interesting to know more about what territory red kites prefer. My family live in Milford on Sea, and I'm surprised not to see more red kites in the New Forest when I visit. There must be plenty of carrion and small critters as well as nesting sites. I suspect they like rolling hills like the Chilterns, where there's always a slope facing into wind so they soar effortlessly searching for snacks. This is probably more productive for them than circling up in thermals which they excel at, but rapidly get too high. Cruising along in ridge lift keeps them fairly low with minimal effort at the perfect height for spotting the next meal. There are hills in the New Forest, which is where they would prefer I'm guessing.

[shenstone]

Re: E-M1X Terrific Red Kite Images

it;s really great that someone is taking such niec pictures withe the EM1X. Maybe someone who goes over there could tell him we are appreciating his work over here (advertising )

He's right that the biggest problem there is getting just one bird or two in a picture. There are clouds at feeding time.

Re

Yes to the chilterns - No to Wales they were already here and the team wanted to leave that genetic population alone and let them interbreed (or not) as the birds desired. There was one welsh bird taken to England. I'm not sure why, maybe it wasn't a rugby fan

if you want to read about the photographer who was instrumental in saving the Welsh Red Kite you can do so HERE I've got his 450mm (true 450 - no equivalence, its a beast) lens downstairs at the moment before it goes off to a museum

Regards
Andy

[Jim Ford]

Re: E-M1X Terrific Red Kite Images

I believe the Chilterns were the first place that the Red Kite was re-introduced.

I think that there was a release around Northampton.

Another reintroduction was on the Black Isle in Scotland, but they're not doing so well owing to the actions of 'The Guardians of the Countryside' - aka gamekeepers!

Jim

[shenstone]

Re: E-M1X Terrific Red Kite Images

Return of the red kite - the red kite reintroduction programme in England (IN63)


gives the full story ...


BTW if you ever get to hear Iolo Williams talking about the work of guarding the welsh nests with the Gurkha's and SAS it's probably going to be one of the funniest 1/2 hours you will ever hear and it's not made up because I heard the same story from his old manager in the RSPB back when it had just happened

Regards
Andy

[drmarkf]

Re: E-M1X Terrific Red Kite Images

It's a great story: around 8 or 9 years ago I was on a walking weekend with some friends near Banbury and we saw 12 in the air over us at once. They have now spread to be common here in East Anglia.

Some farmers are still convinced they commonly take lambs, but I think the jury's still out on that, and the protection seems to be working. They are certainly mainly carrion feeders.

[Tordan58]

Re: E-M1X Terrific Red Kite Images

It would be interesting to know more about what territory red kites prefer. My family live in Milford on Sea, and I'm surprised not to see more red kites in the New Forest when I visit. There must be plenty of carrion and small critters as well as nesting sites. I suspect they like rolling hills like the Chilterns, where there's always a slope facing into wind so they soar effortlessly searching for snacks. This is probably more productive for them than circling up in thermals which they excel at, but rapidly get too high. Cruising along in ridge lift keeps them fairly low with minimal effort at the perfect height for spotting the next meal. There are hills in the New Forest, which is where they would prefer I'm guessing.

Hi,

Red Kites have a preference for semi-wooded hilly landscape with a mix of pasture land and wood patches. They feed mainly on carrion, rodents, worms will also do. Best opportunity to see them really close is to be at the right time when a meadow is being mowed, which usually takes place late May/early June a bit depending on the latitude.