Was invited out yesterday to help survey the Black-eared Kite population of Hong Kong, needless to say they couldn't get me off Lamma.
Haven't worked out yet why they need a population count, but what the heck.

Seems Magazine Gap has the highest density of BE Kites in HK at the evening gathering, with a staggering 375 recorded at one single time.
They take a segmented count on a 360degree basis every 10 minutes over a 2 hour period.

Well......, they decided to come over to Lamma having seen some of the photos & thought it was about time they checked the population.
Though they didn't have any great expectations.

So there I was sat sitting on top of a "mountain" freezing my nuts off yesterday & I could see about a dozen, and them not for about 15 minutes.
Thought to myself well that was exciting & said: "Ah well not much going on here then", thinking 17:00 was a good time to call it a day.

"Not much happening?" came the response "try my binoculars".
"Sure" said I............

"83 of the buggars"
Unbelievable in a single count there were 83.
The lady was as suprised as I was at the huge numbers.
They all went down to roost for the night on Lamma & none of them left to go to Hong Kong or elsewhere.
So I've got myself roped into a co-ordinated & synchronised count all round Hong Kong sometime soon. But Lamma's mine.

I knew you'd all be excited, so here we have our own little thread on Black-eared Kites.
At the moment Lamma has the second highest population of BE Kites in Hong Kong......., but next time I'll be counting on my own with only 375 to beat


Off to "The Gathering"


AGuy_08736 - YSW Sunset.jpg

Geee ... congratulations! So, now you get to sit on a hilltop freezing your knackers off all in the name of science.

Kidding aside, it's great to know that your photos are being appreciated outside the Lamma circle.

But what really grabs my attention in this new thread is the spectacular initial photo. Hollywood couldn't do better even if they threw loads of technology at it!

_________________
Lead me not into temptation;
I can find it myself, thank you.

Guy, it is really a lovely news about the kites in Lamma. If you need more hands to count, please let me know. I would love to join the party.

Is that the Daya Bay nuclear facility in the background of your picture? If so, is it meant to be doing that?

Not sure Blazenski - perhaps you could go over & check it out for us.

This one landed about 30' from me but was hidden by foliage......... so needed to manually focus through the leaves and branches......... is the best shot I could get....


Nikon D70s w/Nikkor 300mm F/4
2006/02/05 12:04:00.7
Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern
1/160 sec - F/4
Exposure Comp.: 0 EV
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Optimize Image: Normal
White Balance: Auto
AF Mode: Manual