Another great shot Guy, pls keep them coming. Also liked the kite pics - tricky to get, I imagine. Also Harry - great pics on the previous page, pls keep up the good work...!

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Thanks Marc.
Was my first attempt for a while. Will give it another try this weekend.
In the meantime......

Sometimes those little dots high up in the sky are worth a second look.......

Nikon D3 w/Nikkor 500mm F/4 D
2008/12/09 16:43:06.2
Focal Length: 500mm
Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
Metering Mode: Center-Weighted
1/800 sec - F/7.1
Exposure Comp.: -0.3 EV
Sensitivity: ISO 500
White Balance: Direct sunlight
AF Mode: AF-C
Flash Sync Mode: Not Attached
Handheld

Nikon D3 w/Nikkor 500mm F/4 D
2008/12/09 16:11:14.2
Focal Length: 500mm
Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
Metering Mode: Center-Weighted
1/1000 sec - F/7.1
Exposure Comp.: 0 EV
Sensitivity: ISO 400
Optimize Image:
White Balance: Direct sunlight
AF Mode: AF-C
Flash Sync Mode: Not Attached
Handheld

Nikon D3 w/Nikkor 500mm F/4 D
2008/12/09 16:41:38.8
Focal Length: 500mm
Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
Metering Mode: Center-Weighted
1/1600 sec - F/7.1
Exposure Comp.: -0.3 EV
Sensitivity: ISO 500
Optimize Image:
White Balance: Direct sunlight
AF Mode: AF-C
Flash Sync Mode: Not Attached
Handheld

And then I ducked...........

Can we get a close-up of one eye only?

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not with the 500mm lens coz is almost at the minimum focal limit.........., although the image above is almost 75% of frame in FX mode.
Will try this weekend with the 200mm

Not a favourite pose of most people ......., (should be wings up or wings down) but I couldn't resist it.
Liked it coz whilst it is in "glide", the tail is in action maneuvering the bird through the air streams.

I intend spending a bit of time photographing these black-eared Kites for a while.
I have a pair perch in my garden a couple of times a day..., but no matter how I try, the angle is always wrong.
However, about 100 yards behind my house I have a rocky outcrop on top of a hill that is visited by at least eight of them several times a day. The numbers should increase over the coming weeks.
I am fortunate inasmuch as they swoop within about 10' of me.

Not a very attractive bird to most......, but as the saying goes...... "beauty is in the eye of the beholder"...., and currently I am bewitched
This image is about 75% of frame

Nikon D3 W/Nikkor 500mm F/4 D
2008/12/09 16:41:39.6
Lens: 500mm F/4 D
Focal Length: 500mm
Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
Metering Mode: Center-Weighted
1/1600 sec - F/7.1
Exposure Comp.: -0.3 EV
Sensitivity: ISO 500
Optimize Image:
White Balance: Direct sunlight
AF Mode: AF-C
Flash Sync Mode: Not Attached
Handheld

I think the kite would have made a much better HKSAR emblem than that dolphin

Nikon D3 w/Nikkor 500mm F/4 D
2008/12/13 09:56:32.0
Focal Length: 500mm
Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern
1/60 sec - F/7.1
Exposure Comp.: -0.3 EV
Sensitivity: ISO 500
Optimize Image:
White Balance: Direct sunlight
AF Mode: AF-S
Flash Sync Mode: Not Attached

Nikon D3 w/Nikkor VR 70-200mm F/2.8 G
2008/12/14 14:51:48.1
Focal Length: 280mm
Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern
1/1000 sec - F/7.1
Exposure Comp.: 0 EV
Sensitivity: ISO 320
Optimize Image:
White Balance: Direct sunlight
AF Mode: AF-C
Flash Sync Mode: Not Attached

Great series of shots. I especially like the one six pictures up, with the outstanding detail on the back and wing feathers, and of course that beady twinkle in the eye.

I'm a bit worried about your little egrets, though. They must be feeling pretty neglected shivering away in the harbour day after day waiting for the guy with the fish.

Anyway, it must be about time for another Birdo Breakfast after a long fast. Next Sunday morning is the plan - usual time, usual suspects.