Mississippi Kites

[Maestro]

I am not sure if I have posted these here. I do not think I have, but if I have I apologize in advance. Anyhow, I am fortunate to have Mississippi Kites return every summer to nest. They usually come in by late April and leave by late August to spend the rest of the year in South America primarily. They are beautiful buoyant raptors that fly much like falcons but no where near as muscular. They are insect feeders primarily but will take a small reptile, bird or mammal every so often. They love to swoop and feed on the wing.

Got an itch...


With the itch gone this first year adult was eying some new territory. I usually do not see them in this area of my hometown so hopefully this one sets up shop here.


Here are some other first year adults






Found some mature adults too!










They love to sunbathe too!


Enjoy.

[XemaSab]

1. Cool!

Those are birds I rarely see.

[Maestro]

2. I'd love to see more kites!

I would love to go to the Everglades and photograph the Snail Kite! I feel so lucky to have these in my hometown.

[XemaSab]

4. Snail Kites are cool

I got really lucky on those last year in Florida.

I have seen all the north American kites except Hook-Billed.

[Maestro]

6. Show-off!

[Hobarticus]

3. Beautiful!

Thanks for posting!!!

On edit: Duh, Hobarticus...a kestrel IS a kite. I should know better.

[Maestro]

5. Thanks, but a kestrel

is a falcon. You had already edited your post so I am not sure what you posted early, but a kestrel is a falcon not a kite. These kites are much bigger than kestrels. Mississippi kites are just a tad bigger than an American Crow, but much more slender.

[Hobarticus]

7. Really? Well, hell's bells....

Learn somethin' new every day.

I had asked if they were about the size of a kestrel, but you answered that in your reply. That's still a good sized predator.

Beautiful bird....that's one thing that I can say that I know what I'm talking about!

[Maestro]

9. Hell's bells. I love that expression.

Wasn't that made popular in the old Rockford Files series featuring James Garner? Makes me laugh. And yes, the kestrel is the smallest falcon that lives in the US. They are very handsome birds just like these kites. Thanks again for the kind words.

[Hobarticus]

11. I like it cuz it makes me sound like an old man...

Makes my nephew laugh.

[Gato Moteado]

8. great shots!

nt

[Maestro]

15. Gracias Gato Moteado

[SallyMander]

10. As always your pics are simply stunning, my friend!

I especially love that last one!

[Maestro]

16. Thanks

I got lucky with that one. I found one that was quite content to be spreading its wings soaking up the rays. That was the first time it had happened that way. Usually they are just perched or soaring.

[Suich]

12. Outstanding photos, Maestro!

Thanks!

[Maestro]

17. Any time

and thanks so much for looking.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

13. My dear Maestro!

Oh, wow!

These are fabulous pics!

They are stunning birds...

Raptors in general fascinate me...

They seem like such powerful creatures...

Great pics!

Thank you so much!

[Maestro]

20. You know I had a dream last night that I visited California.

We visited one of the forests there in my dream, but I did not have my camera. I wanted to drive back home and get it. I guess that would qualify as a nightmare though. Thanks for the comments.

[XemaSab]

24. I've had that dream before

One night I dreamed I was on the plane to Alaska, and while I was on the plane I remembered that I had forgotten my "Birder's Guide to Alaska." Then I remembered that I forgot my Leica scope. Then I remembered that I forgot my field guide. Then I remembered that I had forgotten my Swarovski binoculars, and the trip was pretty much done before it had started.

[Maestro]

25. Now that truly would be a nightmare.

Although I still worry about putting my camera gear on a plane only to have my gear go somewhere else in the world forever lost.

[XemaSab]

26. I keep my scope

CLOSE BY MY SIDE.

[Maestro]

27. As do I only I have a camera as my scope.

Nice scope

[Tuesday Afternoon]

14. that last one is sublime !! They are all wonderful --

but, that last one...what is it about it that just zaps me? thanks, maestro ...again

[Maestro]

21. If you are like me, what you like

is the pose and turned head looking back with the focus of attention being that red eye. Thank you so much for looking.

[TZ]

18. Fantastic

Love the amber eyes. And I didn't know that other birds besides cormarants and anhingas did that with their wings..
Boy would I love to see a kite IRL. Thats about the only type of raptor I have never seen (well that and owls although I've heard them frequently)

[Maestro]

19. Turkey vultures and ospreys will do that too.

The eyes become a deep, deep red as they mature. Quite striking it is for just an insect eater! They love cicadas and dragonflys.

[Maestro]

22. Front view of the sunbathing kite

[harmonicon]

23. what a gorgeous animal

I've never seen one before - thank you for posting these.

[Maestro]

31. Any time

I wish I had access to the other species of kites. They are so cool looking! Thanks for commenting.

[lob1]

28. Really nice shots, Maestro.

I have a pair of red-tail hawks living in my back yard, and I love to watch them soar. It's about time for babies, too.

[Maestro]

32. I've been watching a nesting pair of red tails in my area as well.

The chick hatched several weeks back and has already fledged. I saw it out with mom or dad just yesterday. Thanks for looking and commenting.

[momto3]

29. Wow, what beautiful birds!

Your pictures are wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

[Maestro]

34. Thanks PhDmom

They are certainly handsome and fun to watch fly.

[YankeyMCC]

30. Enjoy I did! That is a hansome breed, thx nt

[Maestro]

35. Very sleek, good-looking bird of prey for sure!

The very young are really handsome too with a completely different set of plumage. Then they go through this ugly "teenage" stage before getting their adult plumage.

[Eurobabe]

33. I always love your bird pix Maestro!

These are cool.

[Maestro]

38. Thanks 48

Go find me some German hawks, now will you?

[bbernardini]

36. Mississippi Kites would be an awesome name for a band.

Oh, nice pics, too.

[Maestro]

39. Thanks

I will credit you with the name if I ever start one.

[bertha katzenengel]

37. Wow.

Thanks. I did enjoy.

[Maestro]

41. Thanks Bertha

They are fun to watch especially when they grab insects in mid-air and eat on the wing.

[OwnedByFerrets]

40. Great shots....

As a professional myself, I would love to know what gear you are using.

[Maestro]

42. Thanks

and while I am not professional, I do use a Canon Digital Rebel XT and a Canon 40D usually with either a Canon F4.5-5.6L 100mm-400mm or a Sigma 500mm attached for birds. I sometimes attach an extender to the 500mm.

[OwnedByFerrets]

43. You should be very proud.....

those are great shots using that equipment.