One of 700

HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
edited November 19, 2010 in Wildlife
Hi Y'all,

We have been treated to a rare sight for the Viera Wetlands of a Snail Kite. It has been putting a show on for us during the last week. My excitement of seeing this subject was tempered when I got an e-mail from the Audobon Society about the status of the snail kite in Florida. Ten years ago we had 3,000 snail kites. Today only 700 remain and the species could become extinct in a few decades.

You can read the fact sheet on the snail kite here.

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Harry
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"

Comments

  • dlplumerdlplumer Registered Users Posts: 8,081 Major grins
    edited November 8, 2010
    Superb work, as always, Harry. bowdown.gif
    Dan
    http://danielplumer.com/
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  • BigAlBigAl Registered Users Posts: 2,294 Major grins
    edited November 9, 2010
    Very nice Harry! Amazingly tiny bill on it!
    Birds
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  • GaleGale Registered Users Posts: 1,052 Major grins
    edited November 9, 2010
    Very beautiful bird.
    Was trilled to see it.
    Very nice images Harry
    Thanks
    Best Regards
    Gale

    www.pbase.com/techwish
  • jackiejayjackiejay Registered Users Posts: 714 Major grins
    edited November 9, 2010
    wonderful set the pics were great:)
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited November 9, 2010
    It's easy to see why Ma Nature gave this kite that beak...escargot extraction.

    Fine series and a wonderful catch, Harry.thumb.gif
  • LindiweLindiwe Registered Users Posts: 606 Major grins
    edited November 9, 2010
    Truly wonderful series, but the story that goes with it makes me sad. Any idea what has caused the rapid decline in numbers? Can any measures be taken to reverse the decline?
  • raptorcaptorraptorcaptor Registered Users Posts: 3,968 Major grins
    edited November 9, 2010
    Great shots, Harry!

    My wife and I had a great time, and I enjoyed shooting the Snail Kite and Great Egret with you at the wetlands.
    Glenn

    My website | NANPA Member
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 9, 2010
    dlplumer wrote: »
    Superb work, as always, Harry. bowdown.gif

    Thanks Dan wave.gif
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • IraRunyanIraRunyan Registered Users Posts: 1,013 Major grins
    edited November 9, 2010
    Beautiful set of captures, Harry.
    EXIF data in at least 1 shot reports a focal length of 700mm. Did you use a 500 lens + 1.4x TC?
    My Photo Gallery
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  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 9, 2010
    IraRunyan wrote: »
    Beautiful set of captures, Harry.
    EXIF data in at least 1 shot reports a focal length of 700mm. Did you use a 500 lens + 1.4x TC?


    Thanks Ira and yes for many of the kite caqptures I was using the 500mm and 1.4 on my D300 with tripod and the Wimberly head.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 9, 2010
    Lindiwe wrote: »
    Truly wonderful series, but the story that goes with it makes me sad. Any idea what has caused the rapid decline in numbers? Can any measures be taken to reverse the decline?

    From the Audubon fact sheet:

    "Two broad problems appear to be plaguing the
    Kite. In the Kissimmee Valley region, what habitat
    remains has been invaded by exotic aquatic plant
    and snail species. In Okeechobee and the southern
    Everglades, development, water management and
    extreme weather have degraded the natural habitats
    and availability of food so dramatically that Kite
    nesting has failed throughout these regions"
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 10, 2010
    BigAl wrote: »
    Very nice Harry! Amazingly tiny bill on it!

    Thanks Al, the bill is amazingly perfectly designed for extracting snails from their shells. The kite would grab a snail, fly back to its perch, extract & eat the snail, discard the shell and be back in the air in just a few minutes.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 13, 2010
    Gale wrote: »
    Very beautiful bird.
    Was trilled to see it.
    Very nice images Harry
    Thanks

    Thanks Gale, I'm glad you were ablke to get some shoits in too.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 14, 2010
    jackiejay wrote: »
    wonderful set the pics were great:)

    Thanks much
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 16, 2010
    Ric Grupe wrote: »
    It's easy to see why Ma Nature gave this kite that beak...escargot extraction.

    Fine series and a wonderful catch, Harry.thumb.gif

    Thanks Ric, the kites are well equipped for snail hunting. Its amazing to see one hover above the water and then strike and come up with a snail. Their eyesight is amazing.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 16, 2010
    raptorcaptor wrote: »
    Great shots, Harry!

    My wife and I had a great time, and I enjoyed shooting the Snail Kite and Great Egret with you at the wetlands.

    Its was a pleasure seeing y'all. I was happy that we finally had some sunlight for one of your visits.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • Howe Creative PhotographyHowe Creative Photography Registered Users Posts: 98 Big grins
    edited November 19, 2010
    Very cool!! I was out there last week to get pictures of her. I was hoping to get to enjoy the lighting at the golden hour, but got kicked out. Really stinks too, b/c I drove over 100 miles to get there with the kiddos. I will go back one day!
    Bridget:ivar

    Nikon D80
    Nikon D300s (on it's way)
    Nikon 24-70 f/2.8
    Tamron 18-200mm
    Nikon 50mm f/1.8
    Nikon 70-300mm
    Tamron 90mm macro
    some lights and backgrounds
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 19, 2010
    Howe Creative Photography wrote: »
    Very cool!! I was out there last week to get pictures of her. I was hoping to get to enjoy the lighting at the golden hour, but got kicked out. Really stinks too, b/c I drove over 100 miles to get there with the kiddos. I will go back one day!

    I'm so sorry to hear that. They close the wetlands at 6 PM from Nov through January. If they kicked you out before 6 PM they were wrong.

    Here's the link to their website
    http://www.brevardcounty.us/environmental_management/VieraWetlands-Home.cfm
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
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