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Monday 7 December 2020

WHITE KITE

I have over the years that I have been photographing red kites I have come across some oddities, nothing as odd as the white red kite. This is not an albino,  it is a malfunction in the body geans. A total lack of melanine which puts the red pigment into the skin and in turn into the feathers. Other birds and animals can have it and can lead normal lives with no handicaps. There is no record of these creatures breeding.
These pictures are of different birds photographed over a period of about 15 years. Because of the age that red kites live to locals often give them names as they are instantly recognised.
They are terrific to catch them in bright sun light and so easy to photograph in flight.
They are often in the company of other kites and are not outcast. This one I new well over several years and as you can see it wasn't put off by the camera. I no longer travel so I will miss going to Wales and seeing it.
 

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14 comments:

  1. Lasse7 December 2020 at 12:27

    Hi Mike, never seen such colours. But still a very beautiful bird. I have seen similar (I think) on Buzzards. Great shots !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mike Attwood7 December 2020 at 23:36

      Hi Lasse,
      It is certainly is a beautiful bird and yes buzzards too are prone to this. Thankyou and stay safe.
      Mike.

      Delete
  2. Marc Heath7 December 2020 at 12:47

    What a bird and superb captures Mike.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mike Attwood7 December 2020 at 23:41

    Thankyou Marc,
    The sighting of a white kite was always the highlight of my trips to Wales. I have kites near to where I live but no white ones yet. Stay safe.
    Mike.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Richard Pegler10 December 2020 at 21:39

    Hi Mike. These are wonderful shots of white Red Kite. The shot of it standing in the snow is particularly fabulous. I have only been to Gigrin Farm in Wales once, in 2007, and a white Red Kite had been being seen then, but unfortunately it did not show while I was there. It was, nevertheless, a fabulous experience.

    Take great care and stay safe - - - Richard

    ReplyDelete
  5. Mike Attwood11 December 2020 at 00:08

    Thankyou Richard,
    I have recorded 3 white ones over the years plus one white buzzard. The shot of one standing in the snow is something special to me.
    Stay safe.
    Mike.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Titus John White11 December 2020 at 19:58

    Hi Mike,
    A bird I have never seen, but certainly a bird I intend to keep an eye out for on my visits to the Northampton shire village where I see the Red versions, have seen very pale Buzzard, but nothing as stunning as the White Kite, superb image in the snow,.
    Stay safe, hopefully not long to the vaccine.
    John

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mike Attwood11 December 2020 at 23:57

      Hello John,
      It is a very rare oddity. I think there are just 3 in Wales. They are not albino's and other than their colour they are perfectly natural. I have never seen one anywhere else. Stay safe.
      Mike.

      Delete
  7. Helma11 December 2020 at 20:07

    Wow,
    I see the red kite with John and Richard but I have never seen such a beautiful white kite as you can see here.
    Really beautiful photos!
    Greetings,
    Helma

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mike Attwood12 December 2020 at 00:00

      Welcome to my blog Helma. Glad you like my pictures. Stay safe.
      Mike.

      Delete
  8. Ana Mínguez Corella12 December 2020 at 09:52

    Very beautiful also... Be safe

    ReplyDelete
  9. waldlaeufer68 Frank Scholtyssek13 December 2020 at 08:56

    Hi Mike
    you got great pictures, very nice, great light
    stay healthy
    Greetings Frank

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mike Attwood14 December 2020 at 00:01

      Hi Frank,
      Thankyou, leucistic birds photograph well in good light.
      Stay safe.
      Mike.

      Delete

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Mike Attwood - Photographer

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About Me

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Evacuated during the second world war to a village in Yorkshire where I lived in the home of a good photographer for more than five years who taught me the basics and a great deal about nature. Well past retirement age I have been a wildlife photographer for more than 30 years. Red Kites have been my speciality for much of this period. I did spend several years snapping wheelchair athletes and organizing the British Road Race Championship. In the year 2000 I was awarded a distinction by the Royal Photographic Society for my portfolio on wheelchair athletes. Most of my pics are digital, using Sony cameras and Sigma lenses. I used to spend many weeks each year with friends in Wales which is close to the Elan Valleys where I got many of my raptor pics. I now get these pictures more closely to home, specially red kites and peregrines. I support my pension by selling my pics, cards, coasters, fridge magnets and key rings etc. at craft fairs, something I wish I had done much earlier in life. I give illustrated talks to clubs and societies on wildlife and other branches of photography that I have been involved in.