We’ve been seeing a few Swallow-tailed Kites around, including one flying over our house last week, so I wasn’t surprised to spot a group of 10 or 15 circling over one of the marshes this morning.
These raptors feed by snatching insects, often dragonflies, out of the air or off their perch on a tree or reed.
Their flight skills are just amazing and they make full use of their tail and wings to swoop and dive.
A mix of Swallow-tailed Kites, Mississippi Kites, and few terns were working this area.
What a beautiful collection of shots! Such a great subject. Never seen these before.
Thanks, Sandra. Watching them fly is a real treat. They are a bird of concern, conservation wise. Their range used to extend all the way up the Mississippi RIver to Minnesota. Now they are concentrated in Florida. Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia and SC do have a few. They migrate south, some to South America for the winter.
That’s unfortunate to hear that they are struggling. Thank you for sharing these great shots! Take care
Yes, victims of development and reduced habitat. You’re welcome, and you take care, too!
Oh this makes me sad. A developer is about to construct 300 homes around the nature preserve in our town. I’m heartbroken thinking of all the displaced wildlife.
Yes, it is sad and I’m with you on the heartbreak. A development has been approved for acreage behind where we live. It’s not a preserve, but there will be plenty of wildlife with no where to go if it becomes a reality.
I’m sorry to hear that. Reminds me of the Lorax. You take good care Ellen!
As you say, they are truly adapted to their life in the sky, almost lika a swallow. Beutiful Bird and photos!
Thanks, Hans!
You did a great job capturing these beautiful birds!
Thank you, glad that you liked the photos and the birds!
This is a new bird to me, what a beautiful bird. 🙂
Neat. They are, Sandra, and so elegant in flight.
So this is another scissor-tailed bird.
Yes, and they are experts at using that tail to steer.
Then maybe automobile drives should have tails like that to help them get through intersections with yield signs.
Good one! You’ve got me thinking of The Jetsons!
Super shots, Ellen, gorgeous!
Thanks, Donna, they were fun to watch.