Black-shouldered Kite

[Manta]

While I was waiting for the Airbus to take off from Brisbane this morning, one of the local fly-boys decided to buzz me. It's a 100% crop so it's very noisy.

[marcotrov]

Lovely shot and IMHO much more rewarding both visually and professionally(if I had taken it! ) and not to mention more graceful, than the A380. I like the cropping and perspective. What set up lens Simon, if it was the 70-300 you've done well I think its time you progressed up to the 80-400VR?
cheers
marco

[Slider]

Looks a lot prettier than the Aibus.

Well caught

[Manta]

Thanks guys! You're right Marco - although it's served me well, I think it's time I retired the old G-Meister and got myself some decent telephoto glass! The 200-400VR I was using last week was oh so sweet but oh so out of my price range. I was thinking about the 80-400 but I really want something faster focussing. I'm trying to get hold of the 80-200 f2.8 AF-S but they're not easy to come by. Matching that with the TC20E would make for a nice package. (I believe BlacknStormy has just done exactly that and I'll be doing some stuff with her soon so I'll get to see how it all performs.

Slider - You're right : though I could sit and watch aircraft all day, nothing beats these Lords of the Sky. (Except maybe an F-111 at full stink on TFR through a canyon...)

[kipper]

Nice flight shot, as you know it's a fairly large crop.
Looks like a juvenille, were Mum and Dad still around?

[Manta]

Nice flight shot, as you know it's a fairly large crop.
Looks like a juvenille, were Mum and Dad still around?

You're right Darryl - it's a big crop and therefore I blew a lot of detail. He was a bit skittish and I didn't have the reach to get close enough for a bigger frame image. No sign of any others.

[kipper]

That's surprising he was skitish. Usually BSK are really approachable, especially the juvs.

[Manta]

That's surprising he was skitish. Usually BSK are really approachable, especially the juvs.

Maybe this guy had had a bad experience - he alighted in a tree and even when crouched low and moving slowly I couldn't get within 30 metres of the tree before he shot through.

[kipper]

Yeah, he might of had a load of dickheads harrassing it.

[blacknstormy]

Beautiful shot Simon.... you've got me really jealous now I'd love to have a half decent shot of a black shouldered, and you get it in one.

Yes, you will be playing with my lens shortly - and you'll love it ..... but I went for the 1.7 TC, as after looking into it, while not as good a reach as the 2, it gives a clearer/better picture... or that's what I've been told/read. I've just got to talk you into buying the 105mm macro as well - another very sweet and addictive lens.

Just have to duck off and tell Damo that I still love him, even if you are going to be playing with my gear ... hang on, he'll be watching !!!!

[Manta]

Yeah, he might of had a load of dickheads harrassing it.

Plenty of those out at the airport...

[Manta]

Beautiful shot Simon.... you've got me really jealous now I'd love to have a half decent shot of a black shouldered, and you get it in one.

Yes, you will be playing with my lens shortly - and you'll love it ..... but I went for the 1.7 TC, as after looking into it, while not as good a reach as the 2, it gives a clearer/better picture... or that's what I've been told/read. I've just got to talk you into buying the 105mm macro as well - another very sweet and addictive lens.

Just have to duck off and tell Damo that I still love him, even if you are going to be playing with my gear ... hang on, he'll be watching !!!!

Hmmm...interesting analogy Rel!
Thanks for your comments but it's a very ordinary shot. I got lucky with the angle but that was the bird's doing, not mine. I just kept clicking away.

I'm sure you made the right decision re the TC. Sounds like a formidable package with that suberb lens. Pity they don't make them anymore .

You (and Mike) don't have to do any more convincing regarding the 105mm - I'm hooked. Now I just have to free up the funds.

[birddog114]

Simon,
This is 1000 times far better than the pic of the ugly whale, you're venturing in the bird stalker game aren't you?
Great shot with minimum toy in hand.
Pls. consider the Nikkor 80-200 AF-D instead of.

[avkomp]

nice angle on the bird manta

I'd say its a juvenile for sure.
I got a roosting shot of a juvenile a while ago.

have a look at the original thread here:
http://www.d70users.com/viewtopic.php?t=9795

you can see the brown area on its back which the adults dont have.
Also the juveniles dont have the intense red eyes like the adults do.
This shot makes me want to go out after the kites again.
I was tempted to go this morning but the best place in sydney is near the airport and I figured that lots of people may have been near the airport for some reason.
Steve

[Manta]

Simon,
This is 1000 times far better than the pic of the ugly whale, you're venturing in the bird stalker game aren't you?
Great shot with minimum toy in hand.
Pls. consider the Nikkor 80-200 AF-D instead of.

Yeah Birdy, I saw your comment on the other thread about all the additional posts on the Airbus once it hits Melbourne!

Thanks for your comments on this shot. I saw your original discussion with Narelle about teleconverters when she said she'd purchased the 80-200. Will the AF-D take TCs?

[birddog114]

Yeah Birdy, I saw your comment on the other thread about all the additional posts on the Airbus once it hits Melbourne!

Thanks for your comments on this shot. I saw your original discussion with Narelle about teleconverters when she said she'd purchased the 80-200. Will the AF-D take TCs?

Yes, it takes Kenko TC not Nikon TC 1.7 or 2.0.

[Manta]

nice angle on the bird manta

I'd say its a juvenile for sure.
I got a roosting shot of a juvenile a while ago.

have a look at the original thread here:
http://www.d70users.com/viewtopic.php?t=9795

you can see the brown area on its back which the adults dont have.
Also the juveniles dont have the intense red eyes like the adults do.
This shot makes me want to go out after the kites again.
I was tempted to go this morning but the best place in sydney is near the airport and I figured that lots of people may have been near the airport for some reason.
Steve

I remember seeing that shot Steve - and loving it - but there must have been some reason why I didn't reply to it at the time. My apologies.
I can't look at mine again now!

I don't even want to mention airports for a while - pity I have to work in one!

[Manta]

Yeah Birdy, I saw your comment on the other thread about all the additional posts on the Airbus once it hits Melbourne!

Thanks for your comments on this shot. I saw your original discussion with Narelle about teleconverters when she said she'd purchased the 80-200. Will the AF-D take TCs?

Yes, it takes Kenko TC not Nikon TC 1.7 or 2.0.

Aha - how are they for image quality?

[birddog114]

Yeah Birdy, I saw your comment on the other thread about all the additional posts on the Airbus once it hits Melbourne!

Thanks for your comments on this shot. I saw your original discussion with Narelle about teleconverters when she said she'd purchased the 80-200. Will the AF-D take TCs?

Yes, it takes Kenko TC not Nikon TC 1.7 or 2.0.

Aha - how are they for image quality?

It's OK but not great! the lens is 1/2 price of the 70-200VR

[Manta]

Hmmmm. Something to definitely think about.

[avkomp]

Thanks for the comments on my kite.
I love the angle of your shot and considering the equipment it is a great shot.
shows the poise and grace of these birds.

I haven't a flight shot of these things yet but want one.
I have seen them hovering almost motionless and then swooping.
The only problem is that I am 200 metres away at the time.
I just havent been able to be somewhere where they are closer. Time will cure that though.

Hopefully I will be able to get out doing it again soon.
Steve

[kinetic]

Ah Pretty bird! - very nice of it to do some manouvers for you. You've done well to capture all of the lightly coloured tail feathers.

[Manta]

Ah Pretty bird! - very nice of it to do some manouvers for you. You've done well to capture all of the lightly coloured tail feathers.

Thanks Kinetic - glad you like!

I believe you were out plane hunting today too so chances are you saw this guy as well. He was the only raptor I saw there today (a few little finches about but nothing bigger).

[avkomp]

Saw one of these at my local park the other day.
First time I have seen them here.
was an adult though.
I got a shot which wasnt that flash. I only posted it because I love the red eyes the adults have.

Steve

[leigh999]

Who says I never post anything anymore? I actually like the noise - or artistic grain as I would prefer to refer to it - good one Simon

[Manta]

Your cat avatar is looking hungrily at my kite ....

Nice to see you back on the forum Leigh999!