Went down to Mount Gambier over Easter for some diving but managed to pack the camera as well.
These shots were taken on the way down. My first Black-shouldered Kite, one of a pair that took about two hours of crawling and waiting to get close enough for a shot. 
They are beautiful birds and your fantastic photos really show that beauty and elegance.
Im sure the flying shots are much harder technically to get - but the first shot of the kite perched is an absolute winner for me.
Those eyes really make these stunning birds. Good work getting them Rick.
Cheers
Tim
Brisbane
Wow! I love, love , love your second shot! They are all wonderful!
Great job
The reason I was crawling through the reeds was in the hope of something special. I think this fits the bill
Just had to share
Another fantastic photo .... you can be really poud of that one too.
There are a few pics of this behaviour recently on the forum .... as the old song goes
'Owls do it, swans do it, even black shouldered kites do it. Lets do it, lets fall in love'
Gorgeous photos, of a wonderful bird.
They were always my favourite BoP, because when I lived on a farm as a kid, we had a pair we used to watch hunting, and were fun to watch over the years.
The mating shot looks fantastic. But why the vignette?
Thanks Canonguy,
Sky was really overcast and contrasty so thought I would have a little play with vignette in Lightroom to try and improve that. First time ever I have used it and not sure about the result, probably a bit too much.
Wow Rick they are so beautiful, and I just love that mating shot.... it's a ripper for sure. That would be worth the waiting and crawlingn through the grass for ..... no wonder I dont get a good shot.... I just dont crawl enough
Sunshine Coast Queensland
Before the Black Shouldered Kite I was walking along a path between reedbeds and heard a rapidly approching commotion.
Had a very short time span to get some shots of a Brown Falcon (I think
) chasing a small flock of Welcome Swallows.
Bird seems to have an injured right wing though it didn't seem to affect at all.
Great shots, love these great pics of raptors in flight
Thanks Whistling Duck, Had a fantastic time, four raptors, various other birds and an Australian Bittern sighting.
Was better than I had ever hoped. I was in seventh heaven
Another great capture Rick .... what a great weekend it must have been! Love the 2nd shot of the falcon ... like a jet fighter ...the markings show really well !
Sunshine Coast Queensland
My third BOP of the weekend was while walking back to the car after photgraphing the Black Shouldered Kites. I'm calling Whistling Kite though I have a little trouble differentiating between WK and Little Eagle. Hope I've got it right for once
some good pics there, it is great when the birds co-operate
Peter
Almost forgot this. The last of my birds for the weekend was on the drive home.
Stopped off at a wetlands (which was dry) and walked for two hours without taking one photo.
Got back to the car park and sat down taking a couple of shots of Superb Wrens,looked up just in time to see a lovely Wedgie.
How could you forget the Wedgie Rick!
Mind you, I seem to have missed your whole post somewhere along the way, so glad (in a way) you forgot the Wedgies originally. What an absolutely fantastic trip album. Those Kite shots particularly are brilliant, but all captures so beautiful to see. I would say that your effort, patience and commando crawling were all well worth it!
West Coast Tasmania
Beautiful images Rick, especially love the ones of the Kite. You have catching them in flight down pat. Well done!