Swallow-Tailed Kites
Found the Swallow-tailed Kites near Dayton, TX again this year. Saw six of them up high with only one of them coming in closer. They catch insects and eat them while soaring with their large wings. Will have to make another trip one of these weekends.
Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4X III teleconverter, handheld
1/2500 sec @ F10, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation
Tim Timmis Photography 
It must be a bear to hand hold that camera and lens, but your results are fantastic.
July 28, 2015 at 5:04 am
Thanks Stephen. The newer 500mm lens is lighter than the old one so it’s not bad hand holding it for short periods of time but it does get heavy.
July 28, 2015 at 5:23 am
Beautiful captures. These birds can obviously handle chewing gum and walking stairs!!
July 28, 2015 at 7:43 am
Nice Shot’s Tim
July 28, 2015 at 3:16 pm
Thanks Lyle. It’s fun to watch them catch insects along the tree line and then fly around while they have breakfast. It’s somewhat of a sport to find them along the hwy and then get some photos. Lots of driving up and down the road as the chase goes on.
July 29, 2015 at 5:18 am
Thanks Eddie. I’m going to try to get some better shots next time. They don’t come out until around 9:00 am so the light is getting harsh when the shooting begins.
July 29, 2015 at 5:20 am
Nice picks of the grab and go! Haven’t been out there this year so I need to make a trip.
August 2, 2015 at 4:31 pm
Not one but six kites? Oh my you are lucky.
August 31, 2015 at 6:55 pm
Hi Emily. Just wish that all 6 were in range for some decent photos. I was lucky that one came in closer.
September 1, 2015 at 6:07 am
Sometimes you’ve got to enjoy the beauty of the birds, and forget the photography. 🙂
September 1, 2015 at 6:58 am
I know but that’s tough to do. I get in the zone and am focused on getting the shot.
September 2, 2015 at 6:04 am