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Yellow-billed Kite


Yellow-billed Kite
Photo Information
Copyright: Peter van Zoest (PeterZ) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2010-05-02
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D300, AF Nikkor 70-300mm f4-5.6 G, Digital RAW
Exposure: f/10.0, 1/400 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2011-02-05 7:11
Viewed: 4817
Points: 56
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This time two photos taken in the wild of Yellow-billed Kites. If you don’t like this one in flight, you got a second change in the workshop. Enjoy them.

The Yellow-billed Kite (Milvus aegyptius) is the Afrotropic counterpart of the Black Kite (Milvus migrans), of which it is most often considered a subspecies. However, recent DNA studies suggest that the Yellow-billed Kite differs significantly from Black Kites in the Eurasian clade, and should be considered as a separate, allopatric species.

There are two subspecies: M. a. parasitus, found throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa (including Madagascar), except for the Congo Basin (with intra-African migrations) and M. a. aegyptius of Egypt, south-west Arabia and the Horn of Africa (which disperses south during the non-breeding season).

Description
As suggested by its name, the Yellow-billed Kite is easily recognized by its entirely yellow bill, unlike that of the Black Kite (which is present in Africa as a visitor during the North Hemisphere winter). However, immature Yellow-billed Kites resemble the corresponding age of the Black Kite.

Status
It is mostly an intra-African breeding migrant, present in Southern Africa July - March and sometimes as late as May. It is generally common.
Habitat and feeding

They are found in almost all habitats, including parks in suburbia, but rare in the arid Namib and Karoo. They feed on a wide range of small vertebrates and insects, much of which is scavenged.
soccer, Miss_Piggy, CeltickRanger, marius-secan, maurydv, jaycee, cobra112, rousettus, Noisette, maaciejka has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To SunToucher: BijsnijdenPeterZ 1 02-05 10:53
To mwmod99: LightPeterZ 1 02-05 10:49
To mwmod99: LightPeterZ 1 02-05 10:47
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Critiques [Translate]

Peter,

An excellent action image of the subject in flight. I like the clear background, detail, sharpness and lighting you have. The composition is also good.
I saw many of the Kite's in Dakar when I was there and they were even circling near the beach at the hotel where I stayed.
TFS,
Sheriff

Hallo Peter
Great in flight shot! Good sharpness and exposure. I like the sight of the eye and it almost looks as if bird is peaking sideways towards the camera. Well seen and captured! The detail and colours on the wings is brilliant. Thanks for sharing. Best regards.
Anna

hello Peter

i love the one on the WS with the warmer light
coming to the bird of prey, and this one here
you focused superbly this Kite hovering with
excellent sharpness and details and like in the
photo of the WS the same warmer light coming to the bird,

TFS

Asbed

Ciao Peter superb bird in fantastic fly, good focus, splendid colors, fine detail and excellent sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

Hello Peter,
Splendid image with lovely colors and very good details. A superb bird of prey in flight.
Focus, details, sharpness and composition are great,
Perfect exposure. Thanks for sharing!
Marius.

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2011-02-05 8:08]

Hello Peter,
Both the main and the WS images are fine captures of the African Yellow-billed Kite. The technical and esthetic qualities are top rate and in both cases the diagnostic yellow bill is well seen.
Thanks and enjoy your weekend,
Ivan

Hi Peter
Impressive photo with excellent composition, wonderful colours, and good sharpness. Very interesting bird.
Regards,
Christodoulos

Hallo Peter,
a very beautiful capture of this splendid bird of prey in flight, good sharpness and colours, excellent POV and composition
TFS
Best regards
Maurizio

Well caught, good sharp picture. regards Yiannis

This interesting light here looks like a mirror illumination from bellow! Very interesting light indeed. Good evening Peter! I wont mention anything about colors here! I have never seen this gorgeous bird before. Good clarity and fine simple composition! Have a great evening and Sunday, Peter!
Regards,
George Veltchev

Hi Peter,
Een zeer mooie invlucht opname van dit prachtig dier. Het lijkt er op dat het daglicht aardig hard was, maar toch heb je de vogel goed weten te belichten. heb je nog moet bijsnijden of is dit een full frame opname?
Groeten,
Niek

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2454 W: 10 N: 8044] (25460)
  • [2011-02-05 10:15]

HI Peter,

Both shots are marvelous. An excellent in-flight capture in a wonderful position showing off the Kite's amazing wing. Rich colors and sharp details against the greyish sky. I also love the pose on the branch. It was nice to see the two views together.

Jane

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3097 W: 109 N: 12399] (52850)
  • [2011-02-05 10:51]

Hello Peter,
An amazing shot of this Yellow-billed Kite in flight. You froze it in action perfectly. Wonderful details of the face and wings. Excellent colors. Looks fantastic in the blue blue sky.
Best regards Siggi

Hello Peter!

Interesting shot, but as You mentioned scene with bird posing on the brench (from Your WS) is more impressive. Anyway, well done!

Regards
Jacek

Ciao Peter. Great flying capture in good details and intrigant transparencies. Beutiful colours too.

Roberto

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2011-02-05 16:00]

Hi Peter,a very difficult situation and an excellent result from your senegal's trip.Impressive wings position and excellent sharpness.The transparence of the wings in backlight is very very good too.Thanks for share,have a nice Sunday,Luciano.

Takes a lot of patience to get a good shot as this Peter. Very smart looking and one gets from the image a feel of strength.. Brought out well.
Bob

I just love photos of birds in flight! This one is well captured, sharp and detailed, you even managed to get the catchlight in the eye. Perfectly positioned in the frame, was this a single shot or were you shooting in continuous mode?

Hello Peter,
Amazing in flight shot, excellent details and great sharpness. I also like colours and composition. Well done!
Regards,
Mircea

Hello Peter,
Beutiful bird in flight. I admire a good photo of a bird in motion, either in flight or otherwise busy. TFS
Neels

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2791 W: 0 N: 6696] (25839)
  • [2011-02-06 6:07]

Hello Peter,
an excellent frozen moment for this kite. Look at its eyes, so sharp and so well defined. what a composition,especially upon looking at the feathers with light shining upon it.
Well presented for this difficult capture.
well done.

Regards,
Foozi

hallo Pater
super foto zo in de vlucht genomen .is altijd moeilijk
Deze is goed scherp en de kleuren zie je goed en zijn super mooi
de foto in je Workshop is ook erg goed ,is hij goed te zien hoe hij er uitziet
groetjes lou

Hallo Peter
this kite species is new to me. you are lucky to see it in nature and captured with a nice shot against blue sky. great focus and POV. nicely composed and presented with good informative notes. thanks for sharing.
have a nice evening and have a nice new week.
Ahmet

Hello Peter
superb in-flight shot against a wondeful blue sky, the details are very sharp, i love especially the different color tones of his impressive wings
TFS and have a good night
Jacqueline

Hi Peter,
incredible shot.
Very nice point of view. Good sharpness in this situation. Amazing natural colours. Also interesting note.
Thanks for sharing,
Maciek

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2754 W: 282 N: 4931] (19883)
  • [2011-02-07 16:23]

Hello Peter,
I like both photos, but the inflight one is my favorite. Super detail and excellent focus resulting in a wonderful image of this beautiful bird. Great work!!
Ron

Hello Peter,

An impressive in-flight capture..!
I notice the wing is totally frozen with pin sharp details, I can count every feather...
The action is well framed, colours are well reproduced under difficult conditions!

Greetings,
Pablo -

very good in flight shot Peter, with good colors and details, is lovely to photograph such creatures!
TFS Nasos

congratulations for the capture, very nice subject !

excellent details on the eye !

ciao, tino

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