Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus) Murrays Beach NSW Australia

Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus) Murrays Beach NSW Australia
Canon EOS 7D Lens 400mm L USM ISO400 F7.1 1/500 available light 15 August 2012 8.27am
Murrays Beach is situated as on the eastern shore of Lake Macquarie which is fed by many creeks and also has a direct natural connection to the Pacific Ocean. So the lareg lake is both tidal and has fresh water feeding into it as well.The area where I have been taking images is on the slope down to the lakes edge and often the Whistling Kites which are building a nest use the surrounding area to gather both dead sticks but also green eucalypt branches for their nest. They also use the area to glide and circle searching for prey. I had been taking images of Scaly-breasted Lorikeets when this bird which was soaring above glided to a shaded heavily foliaged tree and landed on a limb which afforded a great perch to launch an attack. More important to me it was reasonably low down plus I had a clear view of it so I stalked it until I was close enough. I liked the setup as it showed the bird precisely in its habitat and that is what you see warts and all as nothing has been taken out by cloning. I doubt I would have seen it had it not been for the fact that I saw it land.
Thanks for viewing
Best regards
Rod Warnock
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Nce catch. Keep them coming

one not enough. keep coming pls

Nice shots.

Like the name " Whistling "