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| Photo Information |
Copyright: Adrian Hutton (aido)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1103 W: 173 N: 1227]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif) (4038) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2008-05-14 |
| Categories: Birds |
| Camera: Nikon D300, Nikkor AF-ED 80-200mm f/2.8 |
| Exposure: f/4, 1/3000 seconds |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2008-05-19 12:26 |
| Viewed: 394 |
| Points: 12 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
This isn't a great image but it has detail on the wing and so provides a good illustration for this note. I've been reading about flight feathers specific to th Kite family and thought I'd share them here.
The flight feathers on a Kite (and most birds) are those on the posterior wing and the tail. The official name for these are the Remiges (singular Remex) on the posterior of the wing and Retrices (singular Retrix) on the tail.
The Remiges (wing) are split into three groups: Primaries, Secondaries and Tertials. In this image of a Black Kite they are clear to see ; the primaries are the long black feathers at the wing tip ; the secondaries are the next group of six or so, and the Tertials are the remaining feathers on the inner rear wing.
The Retrices are the single group of long tail feathers.
The Remiges are used for thrust and lift, the Retrices for steering. Watch a Kite on a windy day and the Retrices will be constantly swinging from side to side in order to keep a straight flight path (as a side note the lack of Retrices on Puffins explains a lot if you’ve ever seen one landing :-)). Something I find amazing about the Kite (and I’m sure a lot of other birds) is that each of the Primaries can be individually rotated and moved. This allows the Kite to create a vortex giving greater lift (obviously this is not a conscious thought – “Uh-oh, this thermal is dropping, I better crank a few of these feathers around and create a vortex”). It also allows the Kite to rotate the feathers on the upbeat of the wing as it pulls the wings in which reduces drag. The Remiges are then rotated and extended for the downbeat of the wing which increases thrust.
Around this time of year, Kites will replace their Remiges (not sure about the Retrices). Older birds have trouble growing them back and obviously it’s a downward path from there. |
Janice, eng55, dB_grafix, claudine, Alex99 has marked this note useful
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- siggi
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 93 W: 1 N: 220]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(974) - [2008-05-19 12:34]
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Hello Adrian,
Very well done!!! Amazing shot of this beautiful bird flying. It's really difficult to get it.
Best regards,
Siggi
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- Janice
(16725)
- [2008-05-19 22:06]
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What a magestic wing this is! And your notes make good reading too Adrian, especially in relation to the photo. I notes the 'chewed' edges of his long feathers too - on both primary wings.
Thank you for the photo and the infomation
Janice
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- eng55
(1095)
- [2008-05-20 4:43]
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Hi Aido,
Very nice capture.Photographical quailty is at top level.Of course it would be better if the head and eyes were seen.Details on wings and your note are perfect.
Thanks for posting.
Hi Adrian, Besides a good in flight shot, the notes were totally interesting to read for me.
Thanks for sharing this.
It was also surprising for me to see 1/3000 sec over the f-4, because i always thought that would be underexposed.
Must try...
Regards
Doug
Hi Adrian,
This is a beautiful pose that you captured! I like to see the bird's wings patterns. Picture is clear and sharp and you chose good composition. It looks like an old bird... Thanks,
Claudine
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- Alex99
(13775)
- [2008-06-19 9:50]
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Hi Adrian.
May be the posture of a kite is not the best but shot of the bird and quality of the image are great (as usual for you). And it is wonderful illustration for your interesting note. Exposure parameters, reproduction of the feathers, lights, colours and sharpness are superb. Well done and my kind regards.
Alexei.
