The Kites of Allendale

Each year over the fields of Allendale, SC large numbers of Swallow-tailed and Mississippi Kites gather to gorge on June bugs and other flying insects. These birds also nest nearby and the bugs provide a much needed food source for their fledglings and themselves as they prepare for migration back to South America. The feeding occurs for about 4 weeks and begins each day after the morning sun heats up, providing heat currents for the birds to soar more easily. Feeding lasts about 2 hours with no breaks to rest, eating is done in flight. I snapped a quick wide view when the birds moved away, I hated to put down the 500mm since close passes were unpredictable. In all there were between 60 and 75 birds, of those 20 or so were Mississippi Kites. Distance killed a lot of the detail due to hard crop but this was a first for me photographing these birds low and in action.

Wow, excellent series, 3rd one blows me away!

Wow. Those are awesome. Is this on public land or at a park? Would love to photograph these two species.

Wow Awesome Steve, I would love to be there..

Amazing in flights, fantastic stuff as always.

Really great stuff Steve. It is one of life's true pleasures to witness this spectacle. It happens down here as well. Awesome shots

Great time to practice your panning, tracking and focusing, eh? Nicely done.

Top inflight takes.

Stunning in-flight shots Steve.

These are awesome! Im going to have to join you next year!

Lot's of skill to get those Steve, great shots. I agree with Dave, no 3 is special!
Hope you have been keeping well, I have been waaaaay too busy to be on the forum, only a quick peek tonight. Must learn to set aside more time to browse!

A great series and photographs of a unique event; well done, Steve.

Very nice. What is the time frame for their visit ?

daverator wrote in post #17646865
Wow, excellent series, 3rd one blows me away!

Thanks Dave. I was happy when I saw that one too, they're really moving at that point.

Beekeeper wrote in post #17646908
Wow. Those are awesome. Is this on public land or at a park? Would love to photograph these two species.

Thanks very much. I was standing along a public roadway, the field is private property.

Peter2516 wrote in post #17646964
Wow Awesome Steve, I would love to be there..

Thanks Peter. You'd enjoy it for sure.

rgfrison wrote in post #17647049
Amazing in flights, fantastic stuff as always.

Thanks Randy.

CaptBob wrote in post #17647062
Really great stuff Steve. It is one of life's true pleasures to witness this spectacle. It happens down here as well. Awesome shots

Thanks Bob. This is the most I've seen in one spot, including my trips to the Everglades. I image the cattle country down there has feedings like this.

targetman wrote in post #17647572
Top inflight takes.

Thanks very much.

Lester Wareham wrote in post #17647605
Stunning in-flight shots Steve.

Thanks Lester.

J.Litton wrote in post #17647664
These are awesome! Im going to have to join you next year!

Thanks Jason. That would be great, check back in early-mid July.

catsith wrote in post #17648469
Lot's of skill to get those Steve, great shots. I agree with Dave, no 3 is special!
Hope you have been keeping well, I have been waaaaay too busy to be on the forum, only a quick peek tonight. Must learn to set aside more time to browse!

Thanks Tina. It's great to see you posting again, I've wondered if you were ok. I've been good. Please don't be a stranger, would enjoy seeing your work here again.

CDMOOSE wrote in post #17648496
A great series and photographs of a unique event; well done, Steve.

Thanks very much Al.

JPB the elder wrote in post #17648682
Very nice. What is the time frame for their visit ?

Thank you, historically mid July to mid August. I'd imagine similar gatherings occur on the GA side of the river but I'm not certain.