Red Kites mid air fighting

Took advantage of the sunshine today to get some 'real life' wildlife shots with the 250-600 instead of going to the zoo! Went on a hunt for a decent red kite shot and had a vague idea of a location and got a bit lucky, but found out that 600mm just isn't enough sometimes.

These are all very heavily cropped @ 600mm and from about 50m away. Not the best, but chuffed with 'em.

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Only had the one 'flyby' that got a bit closer, and this is the best from those. Getting there slowly!

Great action series - pity about the OOF / Softness but many of us would still kill for a series like that

How much does it weigh ? I'm assuming these were taken on a tripod - making it doubly difficult for BIF shots ?

It was the distance that caused most of the issues as the last shot shows when he finally got a bit closer.

The lens weighs about 5.5kg with the tripod foot on it, almost 10kg in total with tripod & head which means I'm now shattered! Using the tripod actually makes the BIF shots a lot easier as it holds the weight whilst you freely move the lens around.

I'm not convinced they were fighting... you happen to get any shots of the two of them lighting up cigarettes afterwards?

DANG! beaten to it by Don

Not fighting but mating methinks. They lock talons mid flight when they are renewing their pair bond, around this time of year.

Others have said it all really about the photos. I hope you took time to enjoy the spectacle as well as photograph it.

Ok so the shots aren't perfect but I like them and can see why you are chuffed.

THe quality of the last one is much better - I really liek the action shots though.

Well done

Ah, make love not war, gotta lot to learn! Now I know, must try harder!

Would go straight back tomorrow now I know, but got the show to go to at the NEC, so does anyone know how long the ritual can go on for?

Did enjoy it as well Gwyn, having the lens really helped with that, didn't last long enough though! Have to try and get closer as this is the original shot at 600mm!

Some people like to watch a couple of birds performing

Mmmm, I often get the same comment.

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D

to be fair....
while copulating and simultaneously falling from 300 feet in the air...
"Me love you LONG TIME"
is not exactly something you'd want to hear.....

I'm pretty sure the "Let's cuddle for a while" and "What's your hurry?" crowd collected thier Darwin Awards long ago.

Great shots!!!

.. and IQ would only be a bonus.