Almost touched this beauty...............

[MJ224]

A grab shot, but so close, almost touched it................

OM-1 mk1, 420mm, Cannot fault this combination....

[ronidog]

lovely, so much detail. If theystart getting that close thet may be classesd as a nuisance again

[MJ224]

Never. They're just so graceful, and only after a mouse or two...

[MK1]

A friend in Naphill had his sandwich stripped from his hands by a red Kite recently

[huwnothugh]

I'm in two minds about this shot. My initial impression was 'fantastic', but when I took a second look, it seemed more like a painting than a photograph (especially the raised wing). Is it down to the bird's markings, or have you used one of the art presets to create this effect?

[MJ224]

Not sure what you are suggesting, but this is the SOOC orf converted to a JPG via Faststone.jpg

My usual Post Processing via DXO Pure Raw, Lightroom, and perhaps Topaz Denoise.

Photos settings were EV +1.7, 1/1600th sec @ f5.6 and ISO 320.

Have a play with it yourself.......................................... .............

[huwnothugh]

This explains a lot. I'm impressed that you were able to extract so much detail.

[BDennis]

Nice one!

I have found DxO can make some bird images look a bit "painterly" emphasising the markings on these kites but it's down to personal taste.

Bill

[blackfox]

That’s pretty much how they all turn out huw ,it’s down to the birds natural colours the one I always have difficulty with is the marsh harrier

[MJ224]

Reprocessed without DXO Pure Raw...

[Olybirder]

It's a good shot Mark. I think some of the issue with low shots like this is that the green from the grass and surroundings can be reflected onto the underside of the bird. At least that is my excuse when it (frequently) happens.

Ron

[MJ224]

Thanks Ron. Yes, there was grass under the bird, but surprised if this coloured it. It is what it is, when I first saw the Kite approach, I saw its back, which was a lovely brown. It was one of a pair, so perhaps it's a breeding colouration...

I was on a large mound with a castle on the top, and thus was above the bird for a while...