Red Kites

[Tracey.A]

What beautiful birds and wow, what stunning shots! I wouldn't have a clue how to get a pic of them, but at least I can admire yours

Tracey

[NicolaB]

I took a monopod and abandoned it by and large. The action was so thick and fast and I resorted to hand held. Others may have different views on this.

I took my Bigma so couldn't handhold for very long as I'm too much of a weakling! I think I need to get down the gym or something . I still got better shots than on the trip I went on earlier in the year before I had the Bigma (I was using a Nikon 55-200mmVR back then) so I was still quite pleased!

This is the best I managed, not a patch on the OP's, and the light conditions were very bad.



it's still a great place to visit even if the photography conditions aren't great, they're such spectacular birds, and there were around 200 there yesterday.

[momji1971]

Sorry I've been chasing Egrets in the lakes so only just read this!

I'll dig out the data for the pics and include them in future posts, brill idea.

I shot with a 300mm 2.8 so a tripod was essential. Light was not bad. From memory think i was shooting at somewhere near 1000th sec at F4-f8 but will check this.

Anybody else thinking of going here shouldn't think you need long lenses to capture the action either. At times the Kites were within 4ft above our heads.

Going back in December to test my new 500mm! but spoken to the owners of the farm and at the mo there are upwards of 400, yes, 400 Kites visiting!

They are large birds and make a good target for people of any experience level.

As regards tripods etc, yep, a monopod would suffice and depending on lense and light, handholding is no problem.

have fun and I'll post those details. Now get down there and start shooting!

regards.
Stu.

[momji1971]

Len,
So long as you book one of the photographic hides, any will be good. We're across there again on the weekend of the 20th December.

Let us know how you get on and post some pics.

regards.
Stu.

[rlchew]

Hi Stu

A fantastic set of photos which has prompted me that I do need another visit to Gigrin Farm myself.

So far, I have not got anywhere close to the quality of your pictures.

Well done!

Richard

[gillwrig]

(this is stu replying. My pc with my login is temp unsuable)

Thanks for the kind comments Richard.

Of course what I didn't show are the 100 or so missed, out of focus or cropped subject rejects!!!!

Used my D300's 6fps to the max!

Probably got a 50% success rate which for me and fast moving birds isn't bad!!!

Good luck when you get back there.

regards.
Stu.

[Lenswork]

Thanks for the info stu. I'm trying to arrange a trip with a few work colleagues in Dec, fingers crossed we will make it before Xmas, if not the new year it will have to be. Hopefully we will be able to take some shots to match yours.

Regards
Len

[gess]

Lovely shots Stu... thanks for the info and posting

Gess