Fogey

There are areas around the country where the Red Kites are fed daily.  It's just another source of income for the farmers, (charging the public to witness this feeding display), who have jumped on the conservation band wagon.

Red Kites are scavengers rather than predators - the dustmen of the animal world - although a gamekeeper acquaintance tells me he has seen Red Kites flying low over fields and meadows pouncing on the young of ground nesting birds.  However, that is anecdotal and could very well be the gamekeeper's bias

In Scotland, they are fast becoming known as a pest, continually raiding dustbins and the like.  Still with the protection of birds act, they are going to increase in numbers exponentially.

That's what happens when they are hand fed, Craig.  They shouldn't be so familiar with humans.

Not a lot wrong with these Craig.  Really nice!

It's very realistic.  Well done.

I do like the low key in this image.

OK.  I got Orion - Whats that little cluster top right of the first frame?

19 hours ago, Clicker said:

 

You may find this video helpful.. It's by one of my peers and a  great photographer and worth watching in my opinion ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxoYxZpujbc

What a profound video that is.  So much insight.

19 hours ago, Clicker said:

 

Ugly little brutes, aren't they.  Cracking shot.

Certainly looks like it.

An oil on canvas, digitally converted from a photograph.

Very sad news.  My thoughts go out to the family.

In this cold?

I'm trying to fathom out what process you used to get the colour gradation in these two images.  Very effective, though. 

I know that feeling well, Kerry.  I sold two camera bodies, about 7 lenses, (I think), to buy a Nikon D750, (used) and a general purpose,  28-300mm zoom lens.  I have three prime lenses, 28mm wide angle tilt and shift, a 80mm and a 100mm portait/macro lens.  I also use a 600 mm for wildlife shots.  

But I find I still have to staple my wallet shut on occasions.

The trouble is, I have found the best way to deal with temptation is to give in to it.  

A lovely set Kerry.  So what have you got now, camera wise.

Now this I like.

Cracking shot, Cheryl.

I think we'll see a lot more of this as time goes on.  I've only been flooded out once in my lifetime - never again - it was a nightmare!

Neither have I.  

I am indeed.

So sorry to hear of your travails, Fuji.

Your story has echoes and parallels to my life some three years ago.  My thoughts and best wishes go out to you.

Thank you Polly.  Nik Software is very good.  I managed to lighten the coat of the subject as well as darken the background, and lighten and enhance the foliage at the same time using layers and masks.

A pest or pollinator?  Cracking photo.

Physical size too big maybe?  I keep mine to less than 2000 pixels on the longest side on a 16 X 9 format

The Snow Leopard re-worked..........

.........with Nik software.