Swallow-tailed Kites

These Swallow-tailed Kites are a first for me. I got them during the last weekend in March.

These flew over Gatorland while I was there.
No.1

Great shots, Bill. I have been looking for them during my current road trip all over Florida. Several times I have seen one fly over while I was driving and had no time to grab the camera.

Very nice. I really like #3. The detail is great.

Mr. W., you're spoiled.

Love the perched shot, Bill.

For the record, I will always remember the day Mao and I spent with you at Gatorland and elsewhere. What a treat.

sparker1 wrote in post #10081317
Great shots, Bill. I have been looking for them during my current road trip all over Florida. Several times I have seen one fly over while I was driving and had no time to grab the camera.

Thanks Stan;
I have had a real problem getting photos of them. They are almost always on the wing. Before these, I too have never had the camera handy when they were close enough.

BKATX wrote in post #10081672
Very nice. I really like #3. The detail is great.

Thank you very much.

Harvey_G wrote in post #10081888
Mr. W., you're spoiled.

Love the perched shot, Bill.

For the record, I will always remember the day Mao and I spent with you at Gatorland and elsewhere. What a treat.

Thanks Harv;
That was really a fun day. You need come back again.
I don't particularly like captive shots but these guys are so elusive that I'll take what I can get.
The rehab center does a fantastic job at nursing the raptors back to health and releasing them when they are able.

Wow Bill, these are great. I didn't keep a single flight that I took, all were too distant.

Great to find you on POTN Bill...excellent series, with #2 my favourite.

Nighthound wrote in post #10082665
Wow Bill, these are great. I didn't keep a single flight that I took, all were too distant.

Thanks Steve;
These were pretty big crops but they were usable.

sugarzebra wrote in post #10083266
Great to find you on POTN Bill...excellent series, with #2 my favourite.

Thanks Scott;

Great shots of a really beautiful bird! I don't believe I've ever seen one perched before. Nice detail.

Nice shots, I see them a lot and they are so amazingly graceful. It looks like they just float rather than fly.

Good exposures.

Very nice pictures of another reason I need to go to Florida one of these days.

gymell wrote in post #10085410
Great shots of a really beautiful bird! I don't believe I've ever seen one perched before. Nice detail.

Thank you Liz;
They spend most of their lives in flight. The perched bird was an injured bird in a raptor rehab center.

Garry Gibson wrote in post #10085445
Nice shots, I see them a lot and they are so amazingly graceful. It looks like they just float rather than fly.

Good exposures.

Thanks Gary;
It would be amazing to be as free on the wing as they are.

kd_reno wrote in post #10085637
Very nice pictures of another reason I need to go to Florida one of these days.

Thanks Ken;
We do have an abundance of birds and other wildlife.